Tag Archives: rose

Beech’s Chocolate Creams Review

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Some things are more fun to review than others. Chocolate is one of those things right at the top of the enjoyable list.

We got sent a box of Beech’s Fine Chocolates Creams, actually, we got sent SIX boxes, and it really made our day. We devoured them in less than five days. Although we are not sure we should admit that.

chocolate

chocolatecreams

chocoate

All of these creams were amazing, although we all had different favourites. They are high quality, classy chocolates. Perfect for presents, if only to yourself.

Beech’s has been making chocolate since 1920 and contain only natural flavourings and colours.

£2.99 for 90g box.

Beech’s Fine Chocolates was opened in Preston in 1920 and has been supplying treats from its original factory in the town centre ever since, all made using only natural ingredients and traditional methods.

Beech’s currently supplies Marks & Spencer for its own brand Chocolate Brazils, After Dinner Mints, and Rose and Violet Creams.

Available from Amazon UK

www.beechsfinechocolates.com

 

Yauatcha Restaurant Review

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Yauatcha, for a restaurant that is so sophisticated and good-looking, actually makes you feel at home. There is something relaxing about it, rare for a Michelin-starred restaurant. My friend and I both felt like we could eat here four night a week. Another good sign is that the restaurant is heaving (it’s Tuesday, so not bad) and some of the diners are Chinese, which is always a good sign when eating in a Chinese restaurant.

The menu has a very good selection with plenty of choice. There is a good selection of drinks too.

To Start:

Lobster dumpling with tobiko caviar with ginger and shallot

lobstercaviarThis was decadent and wonderful. The lobster was excellent with great texture, firm and fresh along with a subtle hint of ginger all through the dim sum that really works, along with shallot. The caviar is sprinkled on top. This is top class dim sum. Everything just works together beautifully.

King Crab dumpling

crabdimsumThe crab is delicious with a great texture. The crab meat is excellent. This dim sum is beautifully made. It has superb seasoning and great use of herbs including chive.

Main

Pork belly with salted fish in claypot

YauatcharestaurantReview1

The pork belly is tender and delicious. It comes with mushroom and salted fish. It is very good but beware: it’s spicy and has a kick.

We had egg fried rice with our main. There was a few different ingredients you could choose to have in the egg fried rice and we choose asparagus. Jasmine and scallops were the other options I believe. It is delicate with well balanced flavours. Nothing overpowers but it has loads of flavour. You may have had egg fried rice in a restaurant before, or from a takeaway, but it certainly would not compare to this. It is what egg fried rice should be, fresh, clean, tasty; just very yummy.

Stir-fry Scallop With Lotus Root

scallopsI am a huge fan of scallops and this dish is particularly unique. It comes with lotus flower and spring onion. It’s a very good dish with a generous helping of firm and fresh scallops.

Black Bean Beef

YauatchaRestaurantReviewGreat and fresh black bean sauce, great beef as well, very tender and the vegetables all have great taste and texture.

Drinks

Strawberry and vanilla iced tea
strawberry, vanilla sugar, orange juice and jasmine tea

mocktailAn excellent mocktail. Amazing and superb non alcoholic cocktail. Beautifully balanced and remarkably delicate. It has a gentle sweetness. It is incredibly fresh and refreshing. Has plenty of ice and is pure pleasure

Hakka
Belvedere vodka, Akashi-Tai sake, lychee, lime, coconut and passion fruit

cocktailThis was an amazing cocktail. Refreshing, sweet and creamy. Very unique.

Glass of Rose

rosewineVery good rose. Not too sweet.

Peach and guava smoothie
peach, guava, banana, cinnamon and oolong tea

Really good. Nice mix.

chinesedessert Yauatcha Restaurant Review Yauatchadessert YauatchaRestaurantReviewdessert1Dessert was an Orange Mille feuille; it looked amazing and tasted just as good. An amazing looking puddings with apricot
orange and vanilla. A wonderful combination. Had perfect pastry and enough moisture from the satsuma and ice cream.

We also had a Mont Blanc; which was chocolate heaven with almonds and ice-cream. A superb dessert.

There was a lot of other amazing desserts on offer. We will have to go back.

Yauatcha will be offering a special limited edition Chinese New Year menu between 30th January to 14th February, including Golden cuttlefish roll; Pork belly with salted fish in claypot and Jasmine honey dessert with mandarin and sesame.

Address

15-17 Broadwick Street.
Soho, London, W1F 0DL
+44 (0) 20 7494 8888

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Jacob’s Creek Sparkling Rosé Cuvee

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jacobscreekroseI rarely get sent Rosé to review, which is a shame as it is my favourite type of wine.

The problem with some Rosé is that it is too sweet (although I tend to have a higher tolerance for sweet wine than other people I know) and it tends to knock the balance of the wine off. Luckily Jacob’s Creek Sparkling Rosé Cuvee is not too sweet, it is just the right amount.

It is a refreshing sparkling wine which has a great taste. I reviewed it with someone who is always harsh when reviewing Rosé and even they loved it.

It is a grown up Rosé, one for the sophisticated palate. Not sickening, but a beautiful pink colour, a delicate and fresh berry flavour and chardonnay and pinot noir grapes. Recommended this Christmas and beyond: a very good sparkling wine. Frost Loves….

The Jacob’s Creek Sparkling Rosé is a non-vintage wine made from selected Jacob’s Creek Chardonnay and Jacob’s Creek Pinot Noir grapes displaying delicate fresh berry flavours and an attractive pink colour. It’s the perfect wine for raising a glass when celebrating the arrival of the New Year.

Price: £10.39 (approx) from Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Mark’s & Spencers and Tesco

Mateus Rosé Original | Drink Review

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Forget Diamond – Platinum & Pink are a girl’s best friend

this year with Mateus Rosé Original

 

I am a fan of rosé in general. When I received this wine I loved the design of the bottle. It is a beautiful colour too. The wine itself is delicious, refreshing, a good colour and not too sweet. In fact I think this is one of the best rosé I have ever tasted, and it is inexpensive too. The newly redesigned Mateus is excellent as aperitifs or with food, such as fish, seafood, Chinese and Asian cuisine and light meals

 

Reigning for longer than Her Royal Highness, Mateus celebrates its Platinum Jubilee this year toasting 70 years as the Queen of rosé wines. With the redesign of its iconic bottle, Mateus is refreshed and ready to be the taste of summer 2012.

 

To mark this impressive milestone, Mateus want to know what the nation is celebrating this summer and in return people will receive a free bottle of Mateus Rosé Original to help their special occasion go with a bang. All they have to do is visit mateusrose.net/win and fill in the blank “This Summer, I’m celebrating…”.

 

While this world famous rosé in its distinctively shaped bottled has been revitalised with a new contemporary pink-hued label and easy screw cap, Mateus keeps its same great taste. With its refreshing Mediterranean flavours, from picnics to evening parties, Mateus Rosé Original is the perfect drinking partner during this summer of celebration.

Raise your glass to the celebration of true greats this summer and join in the fun with Mateus at mateusrose.net/win. Mateus Rosé Original is available from all good stores and off licences at RRP £5.49.

 

The Mateus Rosé Original bottle giveaway/competition is for over 18s only

 

 

Everything’s Coming Up Roses

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Time of Our Lives Music Theatre in association with All Star Productions presents When Movies Were Movies at Ye Olde Rose and Crown Theatre, Walthamstow.

The opening song set the tone for this mesmerising evening’s entertainment, as we were taken through the history of cinema from silent movies up to 1969 via the mediums of song, dance and comedy. Flo (Dympna Messenger), an usherette in the fictional Trocadero, is interviewed by Charlie (Raymond-Kym Suttle) about the cinema’s history as it faces its imminent demise (conversion to a bingo hall).

Dympna Messenger gave a very strong performance as Flo, and was a very effective anchor for the show. She also sang very well and had some great comedic moments: her imitation of Carmen Miranda springs to mind as combining both. The vocal standard throughout the show was extremely high, with some of the high points for me being Lullaby of Broadway (full cast), You Ought to Be in Pictures (Nerine Skinner and Robert Wilkes), Secret Love (Jessica Poole) and the Beatles medley delivered by the whole cast.

The musical numbers were interspersed with highly amusing comedy sketches, covering themes as varied as Frankenstein and James Bond, with my personal favourite being the “terribly” sketch (you’ll have to see the show to find out what I mean by that!) Other comedy highlights included the show’s take on silent movies – with Flo speaking the words while the rest of the cast mimed the actions, “My Brother Makes the Noises for the Talkies,” with Raymond-Kym Suttle and Robert Wilkes as the two brothers, and the scene with Flo and the cleaner, played by Nerine Skinner.

Raymond-Kym Suttle’s choreography was inspired, and his own dancing was marvellous – particularly during the Top Hat sequence – I would like to have seen more of his tapping! The musical direction (and playing) by Aaron Clingham was flawless, adding to the overall power of the performance. The costumes were fabulous, with very many quick changes which I’m sure must have required their own choreography!

I could go on, but I don’t want to spoil too many of the surprises. Suffice it to say that this is old-fashioned variety at its best with something for all the family to enjoy. Ably directed (and written) by Keith Myers, this captivating show is robust enough for a much larger space. Give yourself a night of nostalgia and catch it at Ye Olde Rose and Crown before it closes on 4 May.

When Movies were Movies is playing at Ye Olde Rose and Crown Theatre, 53 Hoe Street, Walthamstow Tuesday – Saturday at 7.30pm until 4 May, with matinees at 3.30 on Saturday and Sunday. For more information visit http://www.roseandcrowntheatrepub.webeden.co.uk/

Stowells Light Wine Review

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Light wines are big business, and one that is growing by 83% year on year, and in dark, cold January anything that has low calories and a reasonable price is a must to see you through the month.

Stowells light Wine is 60 calories per glass, 30 per cent less than a standard glass of wine. They also have less than one unit of alcohol per 125ml serving.

Stowells Light White .This wine is made from a blend of Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. It has tastes of melon, pear and apricot fruit flavours.

What I thought

I am incredibly fussy about white wine. I think some white wine tastes like battery acid, not this though. It doesn’t taste acidic, it tastes fruity, refreshing and clean. It doesn’t taste low-calorie or low-alcohol. Most importantly, it doesn’t taste cheap. This is a very good wine. I would buy this and even take it to dinner parties. It’s got an incredibly good blend of everything a white wine should be. It takes the edge of the day, and is a much healthier option.

These wines contain less calories than a packet of Malteasers.

Stowells Light Rose

A vibrant youthful pink, strawberry, raspberry and cherry fruit flavours.

What I thought

I love Rose. I have tried most of the ones on the market. When I am out I usually order Rose because I am very fussy about white wine (see above). I also have a sweet tooth and love fruity things. This Rose isn’t too sweet, a common complaint from people who are not as mad on Rose. It’s fruity and fresh. It doesn’t taste low calorie or low alcohol either. It also doesn’t taste like a dessert wine (something that a low alcohol rose is at risk from) It is a good rose for fans of rose and those who enjoy it occasionally.

Stowells Light is available from all ASDA stores nationwide for RRP £5.49.

 

Christmas Wine Review

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Banrock Station Shiraz Rosé

 The complaint I have from people who don’t like Rosé is that it is too sweet. This Rosé solves that problem. It is good, refreshing and crisp Rosé . Although it has a touch of sweetness it is not overbearing. It’s a good bright colour too.
This Rosé has delicious flavours of strawberry and cherry. It has a lot of flavour and is sparkling. Top Notch.

 Waitrose £8.99        

   
 
Stone’s Ginger Wine Special Reserve is a blend of the finest quality raisins and pure ground ginger which produces a delicious, mellow warming flavour that pairs perfectly with Christmas pudding and mince pies.
 
 Stone’s Ginger Wine is not for lightweights. It is 18%, but it really is beautiful. A delicious, full-bodied ginger wine. It’s strong, a bit like a brandy. You can feel it going down. It tastes delicious alone or as a cocktail ingredient. One of my friends I tried it out on now drinks it with cola. It would also be brilliant as an ingredient in a hot toddy.

It tastes expensive but it is reasonably priced. Try it, it is one of my favourite wines. Good quality and original. Perfect for winter as it’s warming and perfect for Christmas too.
 
 Waitrose £6.99
 

Christmas In July, Why Not? Festive Wine Guide

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Frost magazine took some time out from summer to celebrate Christmas, okay, to do some wine tasting in a winter wonderland. Accolade wine are revamping their wines, and even bringing out a new low alcohol range. Perfect for light weights like me.

I was privileged to try the new Banrock Light range. The Banrock Station Light Rose is only 5.5 per cent alcohol but tastes just as great. I love Rose and this just tastes good. It is only 60 calories per 125ml, so it helps with a calorie heavy Christmas (or any other time) It is reasonably priced at £5.45. It has a touch of sweetness and hints of red berry, jam, strawberry, raspberry and cherry. Yum.

Other in the Banrock Light range are Banrock Station Light Chardonnay-Sauvignon Blanc (a fresh wine with pear and apricot aromas), Banrock Station Pink Moscato (Melon and floral, very sweet, a great aperitif), Banrock Station Moscato (passion fruit, pineapple and tropical fruit. Good with cheese) All the Banrock Light range are £5.45. A bargain.

Banrock station have donated £2.5 million to 97 environmental projects in 13 countries, and £30k to Natural England to help preserve 2100 acres of British wildflowers, an important habitat for bees and butterflies.

Another favourite of mine is something a bit different: Stone’s Ginger Wine Special Reserve. It is a blend of the finest quality raisins and pure ground ginger, it produces a delicious, mellow warming flavour. It is perfect for Christmas, going well with mince pies and Christmas puddings. I, however, will be drinking it all year round. So yummy.

Hardy’s is the UK’s most popular brand of wine, and sponsor of Come Dine With Me. The Nottage Hill range has new packaging that will hit the shelves from September 2011. I love Hardy’s Crest Chardonnay Pinot Noir. It is a lively berry fruit tones and a crispy tangy finish. It is a very good wine for making bucks fizz.