Category Archives: Food

SIMONSTONE HALL HOTEL: A LITTLE PIECE OF HEAVEN IN THE YORKSHIRE DALES

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Jane Cable reviews a rather special country house hotel

Sometimes when you’re travelling, quite unexpectedly you come across a real gem of a place that you know you’ll go back to time and again. And that’s what happened when we spent a few nights at Simonstone Hall Hotel near Hawes in the Yorkshire Dales.

Arriving late on a wet afternoon, I have to say the building looked a bit grim from the outside; very grey and mullioned, but the welcome inside was as warm as could be, and our ‘estate room’, while not large, was extremely cosy. The bathroom was state of the art (so much so it had one of those extremely trendy rainfall showers that deluged half the floor), the bed comfortable, and there was proper coffee for the cafetiere. And that view… did I mention the view?

Simonstone still has the feel of a proper country house and we walked past a number of well-furnished living… or should I say drawing… rooms, overlooking the terrace with its rattan furniture and firepit, and perfect for curling up in with a good book or meeting friends for a chat. We walked past them because we’d had a long journey and were heading for the bar, where we received yet another warm welcome and a decent choice of drinks, including some locally brewed draft ale.

We were coming to realise that friendly staff and great customer service are at the heart of everything Simonstone does. You are quickly on first name terms with the people looking after you because they introduce themselves that way, and while everything happens as it should and when it should, there is still a very relaxed feel about the place, something you don’t always associate with a country house hotel. It was clear most of the guests were not on their first visit, and that in itself is always a recommendation.

The food was very good too. There were five or six dishes to choose from for each course and my gluten intolerance was catered for without fuss – there were even delicious warm bread rolls and quality gluten free crackers to accompany the cheese. Unlike a Michelin starred establishment we stayed in later in the week that thought it was OK to serve supermarket sliced GF bread. But I digress… at Simonstone the style falls just on the cheffy side of hearty, and my beetroot and goat cheese starter was absolutely exquisite. Mains were robust and delicious, in particular the Wensleydale beef and Texel lamb. There were some interesting wines on the list too, with bottle prices starting at £22 so no-one was going to feel ripped off.

On our one full day at Simonstone we left the car where it was and walked. There are some wonderful footpaths to follow with steep climbs (optional) and dramatic views (everywhere) so we tramped until we were desperate to take our boots off. Returning to our room mid-afternoon, the only small fly in our ointment was that we’d run out of the excellent coffee. It seemed no sooner than we’d thought it than there was a knock on the door. It was a young lady with a basket over her arm, filled with goodies. We’d run out of coffee? Take two… and some more mineral water. Did we need anything else? Biscuits? Tea?

It kind of summed up Simonstone. The warm generosity of the place, the nothing too much trouble attitude. We’ll certainly be going back.

 

Simonstone Hall Hotel is currently offering autumn and winter breaks and fabulous Christmas and New Year packages. Check them out at https://simonstonehall.com

 

 

 

 

 

Rudy’s Soho – Proper Pizza and Proper Good Times

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Freedom is finally here and what better way to celebrate then Pizza and Spritz. 

We’re here to remind you:  there’s no need to get holiday fomo as we have the taste of Naples slap bang in Soho. Whilst Soho has been known as the place to be to keep spirits high, the arrival of Rudy’s, voted the 5th Best Pizzeria in EUROPE!!! has been bellissima indeed. With a successful string of restaurants in Manchester it was about time Rudy’s paid London a visit and trust us, we will all be welcoming you with open arms. 

Rudy’s serves up real good Neapolitan Pizzas – no fancy base, stuffed crust, gold leaf pretentiousness necessary. This is proper honest pizza. The dough is made with Caputo ’00’ Flour which is made daily and left to ferment for 24 hrs then topped with a San Marzano tomato base typical of an original Neapolitan Pizza. Then finally a quick blast in the wood fired pizza oven and presto – happiness bite after bite. 

We rocked up on a Tuesday night and the atmosphere was buzzing, full of the best kind of vibes. The place is super relaxed and has a real ‘holiday feel’ to it bustling with groups of friends, lovers, families and all. The decor is industrial chic – completely open plan so you can see your dinner straight outta the oven. But for me the winning factor is that this isn’t the kind of place to kick you out before you’ve even sat down, which i’m finding has started to be the norm here in London. I’m a big fan of a long, slow dinner and we did not feel rushed at all. That is all down to the incredibly welcoming and attentive staff. This particular branch has 140 covers which is a lot of space but still, after so long of not being able to socialise I really got the sense of being welcome here without a time limit. The time flew by whilst we enjoyed many a spritz over long overdue catch ups and a good deal of people watching. 

The starters are exactly what you would hope for from a proper Italian pizzeria with a selection of olives, breads, meats and of course a big sexy Burrata, this whets your appetite nicely for the main event. We took our time and savoured the experience just like the Italians do and of course, we enjoyed their Campana board, a mixed platter of breads, salamis and cheese with some tasty spritz cocktails. The above also came in a veggie version too. I thoroughly recommend taking your time to look through the drinks list as there are a lot of solid favourites to make your way through including Espresso Martinis and Aperol Spritz to name but a few but honestly their signature cocktails hit the spot nicely. We recommend the “Sospiri” to kick off your evening. 

When it came to the mains… a pizza which is relatively simple and a tried and tested favourite internationally has little margin for error. Trust me when I say I have done the leg work in pizza tasting and Rudy’s by far exceeds any i’ve tried in the UK and is much deserving of one of the best pizza joints in Europe accolade. The menu selection has all the best varieties, from the humble Margherita to the more elegant white base pizzas. We went for the “Cinghiale” which is basically a spicy, sexy pizza of deliciousness with wild boar salami. Definitely a solid 4 stars. I went for the “Portobello” and it had to be on white base. For those of you who haven’t ventured into the foray of white base pizzas, they’re made with olive, garlic, cheese and salt instead of a tomato base so for any garlic lovers out there this one was absolutely heavenly. The flavours were perfectly balanced and not too heavy or creamy which was actually pretty impressive for me as I easily demolished the whole one and didn’t feel like a big ball of dough afterwards something i’m quickly finding is an important factor when reviewing a pizza ;-) 

Let’s face it, it’s not a decent Italian unless there’s Tiramisu on the menu and as much as I was looking forward to the pizza i’ve gotta admit that the Tiramisu was the star of my show. Again, the portion was just the right size and the coffee:booze:spongefinger:cream ratio was bang on. We also got the affogato which was delish but I recommend not sharing the Tiramisu. Get one for yourself. Treat yourself. Oh and while you’re at it, don’t forget to end your meal with a nice shot of Rudy’s very own Blood Orange Orangecello and if you’re not leaving the place recreating the street scene of ‘Call me by your name’ you should probably consider having another one because, well hey, anything goes in Soho especially Rudy’s.

I’m positive once you’ve been there this will be your next solid go to. Overall the entire experience was exceptional and the quality you get for the price you pay just goes to show you don’t need to break the bank to have a decent meal in Central London. Rudy’s isn’t just another fancy pizza chain, they are standout for both the quality of the food and the quality of your experience. 

For more info and Ressy’s

Rudy’s

Flora Indica Review

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Flora Indica second shoot

A delicious love story of east meets west set in a sexy, unique backdrop.

Inspired by the Scottish Botanists who voyaged through India during the Victorian period, Flora Indica certainly carries the theme of florals, spices and the love affair that has always been Indian flavours with British produce throughout their restaurant. There has always seemed to be a romanticism surrounding the rich history of Britain and India throughout time, whether it be in art, literature and of course through food and Flora Indica is certainly a celebration of the two cultures. 

From the cocktails to the food, the skilled bartender mixes up their take on classic cocktails with a spicy twist. Chillitini went down exceptionally well and you will definitely want to try a few as the flavours are subtle, well balanced and fresh. If you are particularly passionate about enjoying a fabulous drinks menu alongside your meal, then you will be in for a treat. The drinks list is extensive and with a quality selection of wines and spirits which even features everyones favourite, Whispering Angel. I mean, you can’t really go wrong here. Their Amber Ale was of their own brew which came bottled with their own branding. A really nice touch and oozes class. 

Flora Indica is Indian Fine Dining at its most sensual. The location, a very smart establishment just off of The Old Brompton Road. We dined on a warm sunny day and the front shutters were open for guests to dine indoors/outdoors whilst watching the World go by. The decor is a friendly nod to British culture featuring a gorgeous blue phone box… the perfect place for a photo op and opulent green furnishings. I mean this is simply the perfect date night spot. 

When it came down to the food, we tried a number of dishes including small plates as well as their mains. I cannot recommend Okra Fries enough. In fact, I would go as far to say, this will probably beat any variation on fries I’ve ever had, not to mention they are actually good for you ;-) Don’t forget to add the lemon, this simple little addition will take your palate next level. 

The plates were presented to an impressive standard and thankfully you can say, the looks definitely match up to the flavour. Even though our food was presented like a work of art, what was most outstanding was the aroma that danced in the air once the plates had arrived at the table. We tried the Yellowfin Tuna and a 12 hr Braised short rib. Both were delicious, well portioned with balanced flavours, the short rib was rich and tender with the yellowfin tuna being fresh and subtle. A perfect example of how an experienced hand with spicing can elevate even the most delicate ingredients. 

Our mains were just as elegant, a few nods to tried and tested Indian favourites such as the humble Rogan Josh but again using only the best of British, Suffolk Lamb. We also tried a stunning Slow Cooked Duck Leg on the bone. The dishes are not fussy and no nonsense but executed with gastronomic precision and served with panache. I really adored the way that simple ingredients were presented in the most sophisticated and eye-catching way, a feast for your senses. The whole experience was sexy from beginning to end. It’s not pretentious it’s just downright fabulous and the proof is in the pudding which, by the way, ended off the meal in the most perfect of ways. The Shahi Brioche Tukda was heavenly and rounded the evening off nicely. A sweet end to a perfect dining experience. 

This is most definitely the date night spot that will hit all of the buttons. We highly recommend. 

To check out their menu and to make reservations

http://www.flora-indica.com

Grand Trunk Road – A Foodie Voyage through Old India

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As we all start to awaken from our Lockdown slumbers and start to venture out into the wild and back into our favourite eateries, there’s no mistaking my social media has certainly being hijacked by people enjoying their socialising and dining experiences. Recently, this little gem, Grand Trunk Road kept popping up on my feed followed by nothing but praise from the numerous amounts of people I have seen posting about it. This spot looks particularly special and before the fomo kicked in I had to check it out for myself.

If Grand Trunk Road is the hidden gem of Woodford this is certainly the Koh-I-Noor of restaurants. Many of us can rattle off a host of fabulous Indian restaurants at the drop of a hat, but the most memorable ones are distinguished by giving their guests an experience to remember and that is exactly what Grand Trunk Road has done. It’s not surprising everyone seems to be raving about this place. 

Owned by the esteemed Michelin star winner Rajesh Suri, he tells me he wanted to create a dining experience which took guests on a  journey through India by taking a signature dish from each stop along the Grand Trunk Road. An educational one at that, he explained the origins of dishes that have somehow got lost along the way and his quest to bring the dishes back to their roots. 

 

Before we get stuck into the food, I must give a shoutout to the drinks list which is extensive. So if like me you prefer something a little more fancy than beer or house wine… look no further, the cocktails are a dream and also follow the journey of the Grand Trunk Road. We tried the Afghani Silk and a particular favourite, Masala Smash. We were told that the cocktails were specially created to match the flavours of the dishes with some spirits infused onsite to create the unique flavours that can only be achieved by tending to the process yourself. There is no doubt Suri is a stickler for detail and this shows through every stage of the guest experience. 

Our journey began where every Indian foodie does, Poppadum’s with a variety of accompaniments made fresh on site with seasonal ingredients. The Summer menu we’re told includes a carrot and raisin relish and one made with apricot and the unmistakable spices of cumin and coconut. A tropical delight and not a chunky onion in sight! Phew. This is definitely Indian food amplified and refined, beautiful and elegant and we haven’t even got to the appetisers yet. 

We sampled a few of the standout dishes from the appetisers, Sago Potato Cakes, Scallops and a Chapli Kebab. Each were served with their own signature chutney balanced by only someone with an extremely well versed palate. The flavours are subtle yet bold, yin and yang. The ingredients are quality there is no mistaking that. This is certainly quality over quantity with each mouthful delivering you a little gift each time.

The mains were outstanding too with chef making sure they wanted to balance the spices correctly instead of slapping you across the face with chilli. A plus for me as i’m not a huge fan of spicy hot food. This is Indian cuisine at its finest. We tried the Amritsari Butter Chicken and a Malai Prawn dish and both were out of this world. However, the standout dish had to be the Dal Bukhara essentially overnight Lentils with spices and fenugreek in a creamy sauce. The simplest dishes are most often the most delicious. Creamy, spiced well and comforting. I could have eaten a vat of it. Order this and thank me later. 

My guest was particularly impressed with the labelling of allergens on the menu itself. Speaking as someone with a wheat allergy this is still surprisingly hard to come across. This added a level of ease for the guests when looking for something Gluten or Dairy Free. We’re told GF Naan will be added to the menu in the future something which we will be certainly going back to try. 

The fine balancing continues not only with the way the food is flavoured but in the entire experience. The  quality of the food mixed with ambience of the restaurant is where the magic lies. Suri makes a point of delivering old school hospitality throughout his restaurant by having a dialogue with customers and hosting them the way you would have expected from days of yore. This, we witnessed was well received by the customers dining around us and left everyone feeling that extra bit special a task which Suri appears to have taken in his stride. With a Michelin star under his belt, expectations were always going to be high and you will most certainly not be disappointed.

 

What’s more, we noticed they had an outdoor dining area so if you’ve just come for a few cocktails with small plates, your wish is their command… 

 

I know i’ve said it before but i’ll say it again we will be back and i’m sure you will too. What a truly wonderful time we had at Grand Trunk Road and thank you to all of the staff who made everyone feel safe in their surroundings as restrictions start to lift once more. So here’s to hospitality and all of those who welcomed us back. 

Grand Trunk Road is located in South Woodford

For more info or to make ressys check out…

https://www.gtrrestaurant.co.uk

Grandma Crunch, The Breakfast of Champions: High protein, zero sugar, keto friendly

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All new high protein, zero sugar, keto friendly, crunchy snack for those wanting to kick-start the day right.

Grandma (Crunch) is on a mission to create a healthier way of living and with her famous recipe book in hand, she has been hard at work concocting new ways to provide healthy, nutritious snacks, which will help keep people fit and strong. 

We tried the cinnamon, coconut and cocoa cereal and they all taste great. Grandma Crunch is a great idea and we are super impressed at how it is healthy and delicious. What a great idea. 

 Grandma crunch, cereal, high protein, no sugar

Now, more so than ever, Grandma wants to get the nation back to healthy eating habits. It’s been a hard year for everyone, both physically and mentally, and whilst most of us have taken some comfort in takeaways and sugary snacks, it’s time to limit those back to the odd treat, and start to build our immune systems and fill our bodies with nutritious food, which will fight off any nasties. 

The UK is a nation of breakfast cereal lovers, both young and old, after all it’s a simple, easy to prepare breakfast staple. However with over 90% of the market saturated by high sugar varieties, Grandma Crunch aims to allow people to enjoy a bowl of cereal, knowing they are fuelling the body with goodness, without compromising on texture and taste. 

Keto snacks generally all have a similar texture, and take the form of thick dense protein bars. Additionally, many of these high protein, low sugar options give misleading impressions. An example is the use of Maltitol in leading protein bars, which is often used as a sugar replacement and marketed as ‘no sugar’ but in reality it still spikes insulin, and so it’s not diabetic friendly.

Founded by husband and wife duo, Charlotte and Norman, they believe in alternative functional foods, which have a real impact on people’s lifestyle. They believe food should be delicious as well as providing a crucial function and significant impact on how you feel and how you perform. Charlotte is passionate about the problems of diet culture and the impact of misleading consumers.  Whilst Norman, who is driven by data, has spent many years researching various diets, meditation, stress management and sleep patterns, which together has led them to creation of Grandma Crunch.

 

Tips for Starting a Food Delivery Service

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coronavirus, is food safe, is coronavirus on food, can I catch coronavirus from food? takeaways.Starting a food delivery service in this climate is quite a savvy move. 

After all, food delivery was always incredibly popular, but the pandemic has sent things surging to brand new heights. The Guardian highlighted that even dry cleaning services have turned to dropping off groceries for a profit due to a lower than usual demand in their own trade. There’s a lot of stiff competition, but there’s plenty of room for success and innovation too. 

Keep reading after the jump to learn some tips for starting your very own food delivery service. 

Understand the Legal Procedures

You can’t get started until your plans to begin or resume a food business are on official record. 

For all your licencing and registration needs, you should consult gov.uk, registering at least 28 days before your opening. 

Food hygiene procedures also need to be followed to the letter. There is no cutting corners here, so proper cooking practices, cleaning methods, and temperature control all need to be properly maintained and regulated. When you tick all these essential boxes and have a plan to action, you can then put your best entrepreneurial foot forward. 

Consider Insurance

Food delivery will obviously require a great deal of time spent transporting goods, so a suitable car or van will be needed to make the trips. 

However, a standard insurance policy won’t cover you for these trips – you’ll need courier van insurance or courier car insurance instead. In fact, if you deliver food and you only have a standard insurance policy in place there’s a good chance that policy could be invalidated because you’d be breaching the terms of that policy, so the right courier insurance really is a must.

Define and Tailor Your Service 

The broader your objectives are, the more you will struggle to keep up with supply and demand at the very start of things. 

Everyone wants food, and that’s a universal truth. However, if you don’t steadily pace the growth of your operations, you will find yourself tripping over your own feet incredibly soon. Customer guarantees fall through, reputations are whittled away, and ultimately you will receive more work than you know what to do with. 

To kick things off, start by more acutely defining the following: 

  • Who you serve: Will you specialise in delivering food to the disabled or elderly, who need your service is a lifeline? 
  • What you serve: Do you provide people with their groceries in the morning, or provide takeaway quality foods in the evening? What markets are oversaturated in your area?
  • Price points: Is the service a cheap and affordable alternative to patrolling the local supermarket, or are you offering the finest quality foods in town? What are your profit margins?
  • Where will you deliver: What is the maximum distance you are willing to travel with the food? Are you serving in an affluent area, or a smaller and humbler town? 

It’s important to be specific with what you are offering from the outset. Humble origins enable you to build things up slowly, well within the confines of your capabilities, finances, and resources. By starting locally, you can also steadily build up a loyal customer base and community, becoming a homegrown business with a loyal following instead of being a faceless, vague entity.  

Flourish Your Appeal

Once the broad strokes of your food delivery service are well-defined, it’s time to flourish the broader appeal of your venture. 

There are many ways to add value to this particular sphere of your operation. You can contemplate lines of enquiry like: 

  • Fair trade: Does your business practice ethical trading methods? Do you source homegrown, local supplies?
  • Public eating habits: Last year, the BBC reported that vegan diets were steadily rising among the masses, which could yield interesting business opportunities. Could the trend towards healthier eating be worth tapping into?
  • Customer service details: Are potential employees friendly and personable? 
  • Marketing signatures: Is your brand sufficiently recognisable? Will you pay for advertising privileges in shop windows, or develop SEO marketing strategies online?

There’s a great deal to cover here, but for many businesses, each one of the points above adds depth to a dynamic service. There are many food delivery services out there, but yours needs to be a cut above the rest to be truly worthwhile. Examine all the areas of your operation where you can add some finer touches to make your offerings more niche and unique, and more customers will gravitate to your services. 

 

Collaborative Post.

 

Wild Christmas Cocktail Recipes by Smokehead Whisky

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If you’ve just had all hopes of some Christmas socialising dashed as more of the country gets plunged into Tier 3, Smokehead Whisky are here to save the day with some creative and festive cocktail recipes to try from the comfort of your own home. 

Because we all know staying in is the new going out, Smokehead Islay Single Malt Whisky has big ambitions. Established in 1933 by Ian Mcleod Distillers, the world’s 10th largest Scotch Whisky Co. Smokehead has a reputation for being labelled ‘the wild one’ of Single Malt Whisky which has been described as “an assault on your senses.” As the name suggests, if you love peat, you’re gonna love this. With that being said, Smokehead have come up with some very wild cocktail recipes to try out over the festive season… (wild-ish). They have experimented with some seasonal favourites to bring you a festive mash-up to go with their unique liquor.

Smokehead Snow Ball:

Ingredients;

25ml Smokehead 

50ml Advocat

12.5ml Gingerbread Syrup

Lemonade

Method;

Add Smokehead, Advocaat and gingerbread syrup to an ice-filled glass. Stir and top up with lemonade. 

Smokehead Grinch:

Ingredients;

25ml Smokehead

50ml Melon Liqueur

25ml Lemon Juice

12.5ml Sugar Syrup

Method;

Shake ingredients over ice and strain into a coup glass.

Smokehead Hot Buttered Rum Rebel:

Ingredients;

25ml Smokehead Rum Rebel 

3 dashes of Mixed Spice

1tbsp Unsalted Butter

Hot Cider

Method;

Add butter mix to the glass, pour over Smokehead and Hot Cider. Stir until butter melts.

Et Voíla 

3 super simple but exceptional recipes by Smokehead…

This year we are being spoiled with an array of fabulous gifts on offer through the Smokehead website, not only do they provide free delivery for orders over £30, they are offering free merch with purchases of their full sized bottles. Whats more, if you’re unsure of what to try and you would like to give the above cocktails a go, we recommend checking out the Smokehead Skull Gift Tin which contains 3 miniature bottles of 3 mighty Smokehead Flavours. 

The original Smokehead which has immense smoke and notes of sea salt and spice. This is the show stopper and signature Smokehead expression.

Rum Rebel which is finished in a sweet Caribbean rum cask. 

High Voltage, the most intense of the three which offers all out smoke to the MAX.

For more info and to purchase, check out their fantastic website 

www.smokehead.com

Mirabeau Launch Belle Année Rosé in a Box 

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2020 may not have been a Belle Année but we have some good news to share with our Rosé fans. Introducing a boxed wine that you can be sure to get some quality content from. Award winning Mirabeau, known for their ‘best rosé in a bottle for under £10’, have recently launched Belle Année bag-in-box wine and we cannot get enough of it! 

In a bid to create a more sustainable option for wine drinkers, they are forging the path to lowering your carbon footprint whilst indulging in their sublime Gold Medal, (Drinks Business Global Masters Rosé) wine. This beautiful pale pink wine is a dry yet aromatic rosé perfect and light enough to pair with food. If you think rosé is only for the Summer, well, this year we throw all the rules out of the window. If you love a decent rosé, you will love this! With a price point as attractive as the wine itself it’s actually much more cost effective to choose the bag-in-box option getting you more bang for your buck. 

As well as fitting onto the door of your fridge, this handy box holds three bottles of wine whilst lasting a whole four weeks after opened. Now if an increased life span for your wine isn’t what you’re after, I don’t know what is!! The fully recyclable cardboard box reduces space and waste with the pouches guaranteed to keep your wine fresher. This is the perfect aperitif whilst being the perfect size to share with your loved ones while we can over the festive period. What’s more, this would make the perfect gift for any wine lover in need of a little TLC this year. 

 Belle Année literally translates as ‘beautiful year’ and with 2020 not being so beautiful, we hope some wishful thinking from our friends at Mirabeau can help you to ring in the New Year with this beautiful wine. 

Belle Année bag-in-box is available to buy at Waitrose stores nationwide.

Waitrose.com and Waitrosecellar.com

RRP: £25.99