Ziggy’s Restaurant Review St Andrews

Posted on July 21, 2014 by Melissa Volpi

Ziggy’s restaurant is surrounded by B & B’s and is situated just off North Street in St Andrews – a street that’s as famous for its old-fashioned picture house, as it is for the university buildings. Ziggy’s is also an easy establishment to spot – as it has a large guitar hanging above the entrance door.

The inside is a throw back to the American diners of the 1960’s and pays homage to the greats of rock and roll by displaying original records and signed gifts around the dining room, open kitchen and toilet areas.

We are greeted at the door by a pleasant waitress in a Hard Rock Café style tee shirt and are seated by the window on a new range of wooden tables and chairs that this family owned establishment (Ziggy’s has been owned and run by the same family since 1983) have just bought in.

It’s 6 pm on a Tuesday night and the place is just starting to fill up. There are a mixture of diners, from locals to golfing tourists. But we are the only table of two – the rest are in groups of four to ten.

Starters

Ziggy’s starters vary from garlic bread and house mixed salad to loaded skins and a bucket of devilled chicken wings. The prices are very reasonable, starting at £3.15 for a regular portion of garlic bread and rising to £11.95 for ‘The Ziggy’s BIG DISH Sharer’ – a combination of onion rings, breaded mushrooms, ribatisers, potato skins and chicken strips with sour cream, blue cheese and hickory sauce.

After having a quick glance over the main courses and desserts, I opt for something light and order the homemade potato and leek soup served with fresh crusty bread. My father orders the garlic prawns. And after scanning the wine list we decide to order two of the individual, 20cl, bottles of Prosecco as a treat. I think this is a wonderful idea. Unless you are in a wine bar, it is very hard to buy Prosecco or Champagne by the glass.

Homemade Potato & Leek Soup

The presentation is very simple. My white bowl of soup rests on a white plate with a white napkin. Colour is introduced from the soup itself and the two chunks of French baguette on the side.

My father’s dish is livelier looking. The garlic prawns arrive spitting and popping in a black cauldron.

Putting appearances aside, I take a spoonful of soup and am pleasantly surprised by how nice it is. The vegetables are chunky – just the way I like them – and the flavour is strong. This is a proper bowl of hearty soup that could not be anything other than homemade. When the owner/chef walks over to our table to ask if everything is ok, she tells me that her son – who also works in the kitchen – made the soup.

My father, who is not shy when it comes to giving his opinion, says that the prawns are tasty, but that they are submerged in too much oily sauce – the prawns are baked in garlic and red onion butter. He finds it hard to eat them because of this.

Main courses

It’s not only the look and vibe of Ziggy’s that reminds me of The Hard Rock Café, it’s the food too. The main courses are American inspired, with the house specialities being the steaks, ribs and burgers. It’s a menu that would delight the meat lover. The list of 18 handmade burgers are all under £10, with the extra special ones rising to between £10 and £15.00.

Both my father and I choose the gourmet 12oz burger (£12.95 with a choice of three cheesy toppings). I order the cheddar, bacon and pineapple topping and my father the bacon and Stilton.

All Ziggy’s burgers are 100% pure steak burgers and are handmade and supplied by the local award winning butcher, J.B Penman of Crail.

The Gourmet 12oz Burger

Again, the burgers are very simply presented on white plates. The burger is served on a toasted white flour bun. The top of the bun rests at an angle to show off the toppings – I see two rings of pineapple with melted cheddar resting on top of my massive burger. Underneath the burger is a bed of salad leaves, with a slice of beef tomato and some red onion and dill pickle. The house fries that accompany my burger are presented in a white mug next to the homemade coleslaw.

It really is a feast for the senses and we can’t wait to dig in…

Although the burger is tasty – and the combination a good one – I personally find it too greasy for my palate and would choose a different main course on my next visit. My father, on the other hand, enjoyed his burger.

Dessert

The list of desserts is excellent. There really is something for everyone here. You’ve got knickerbocker glory, cheesecake, sticky toffee pudding and a wide selection of Sundae’s. There are even ice cream floats (Pepsi, Irn Bru or Lemonade with a generous scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream); something that I love but have not had since I was a teenager.

We decide to share a dessert and choose the sticky toffee pudding with ice cream.

Sticky Toffee Pudding

We can smell the sticky toffee pudding before we see our waitress walk across the dining room with it. It looks like a traditional, gooey pudding and after taking the first bite, I find that it tastes like it too. It’s yummy.

The one thing that does disappoint me though, is the fact that the ice cream has not been bought from one of the town’s two famous ice cream parlours – Jannetta’s or Luvians. It is cheap, yellow coloured ice cream. From my point of view, it would have been nice to utilise local artisan ice cream makers in much the same way as Ziggy’s have done by buying their burgers in from an award winning local butcher.

None of this would deter us from visiting Ziggy’s in St Andrews again though. The waitresses are friendly and helpful. The individual bottles of Prosecco are a welcome addition to any wine list. The homemade potato and leek soup was one of the best I have ever tasted. And the ambience of this family owned restaurant is unusual – even in a town where every second premises is an eatery. If you’re a meat lover that enjoys American inspired food and is looking for somewhere a little more rock n roll… then head to Ziggy’s.

Our meal:

2 x 20cl bottles of Prosecco at £5.95 each

1 x Soup £3.95

1 x Garlic Prawns £5.95

2 x gourmet 12 oz burger at £12.95 each

1 x sticky toffee pudding at £5.25

Total: £53.65 for two people

http://www.ziggysrestaurant.co.uk/

Rose Leslie Interview For Utopia

Posted on July 9, 2014 by Frostie

At the age of 27, Rose Leslie has already won a Scottish BAFTA and starred in two of the biggest global TV dramas of recent years, Downton Abbey and Game of Thrones. Now, she’s starring in the new series of Utopia, Channel 4’s unique, ambitious and acclaimed drama, as the youthful Milner. Here, she discusses the fun of playing pure evil, and why Milner is a character that fascinates her.

The first episode of the new series of Utopia is a bit different, isn’t it? Explain what it’s about.

It is. As a really big fan of the first season, I thought it was a brilliant idea. It basically takes us back to the 1970s and shows us where it all began. We get to see Milner as a young woman, and we get to see why she turns into this ruthless killer. And we see what happens to Carvel as well, and how Jessica and Arby come to be. I was completely hooked by the concept. It’s really a stand-alone episode, and a real treat for the fans.

Milner’s a real hard case, isn’t she? Is it fun to play someone so bad?

Oh it is so much more entertaining playing an evil person than playing a sweet, charming young lady. Before I even went in for the audition, reading some of the scenes and the stuff she does, it was breathtaking. I loved it. As an actor, it was an absolutely thrilling role to play. It was so exhilarating to be such a horrible character.

The 70s are really evocatively recreated. Did you do anything to try and get yourself into a 70s frame-of-mind?

I felt the clothes did a lot of that. The costumes were brilliant – there was a lot of tweed and a lot of beige. That definitely helped me, as did the hairstyling, with the soft curls, particularly at the bottom of the head, that really transported me. And I grilled my parents on what the 70s were like. And I also felt like there was a lot of information that I could use in the script.

The script weaves in some key news stories from the 1970s. It’s very cleverly done, isn’t it?

It is so clever. That was one of the reasons why I was so thrilled to get this part. I think Dennis Kelly is a genius – both his stuff for screen and his plays – and the writing was superb. That’s what hooks the audience. All the garbage on the streets and so in is incredibly evocative of the time, and some of the political intrigue, the way the Airey Neave story is woven in, it’s brilliant. It was a real history lesson for me as well. I was embarrassed about how little I knew of the 70s.

It sounds like you were already a fan of Utopia. Did you watch it when it went out?

I did. I was all over it. It was word-of-mouth for me. I remember talking to a girlfriend of mine, and she told me about this new drama that had started the previous night, and she said that it was unlike anything she’d ever seen on TV before. So obviously that piqued my interest, and I went home and watched it. And the colouring, the direction, the editing, the acting, it was just incredible. So I was a little bit late on the first episode, and then, of course, I watched it every week that it then came out.

When you were cast as Milner, did you then go back and study how Geraldine James had played the role?

I went back and studied it, and of course that was a great excuse to watch the whole series again. So I was very happy to do some homework. But I was also aware that it might become something of a hindrance to then try and pick up her voice and to recreate each mannerism. Of course, as human beings, we develop through time. We develop, we change, and we’re not the same person we were 20 years ago. So I felt that allowed me some artistic license to interpret the character as I saw her as a young woman. But of course it was great to watch Geraldine do her work, and she does Milner magnificently. She sets such a high standard, the thing that really worried me as would I be able to be convincing enough that she would seem to be the same person.

The fascinating thing about Milner and the Network is that there’s a twisted morality at the heart of what they’re trying to do, isn’t there?

Yes, there really, really is. And what’s terrifying is, playing her for a full month, you can see the reasoning, you can see where she’s coming from. They’re doing it for the greater good. They’re doing it for the longevity of our species, giving it the chance to thrive. You can totally get swept up in that. But then you see the lines start to blur, you see what she has to do to make things happen. They can’t afford to have friends, they can’t trust anyone, they have to commit the most terrible acts. That makes you step back and think. But that’s the beauty of Dennis Kelly – he writes it in such a beautiful way, you’re able to see both sides of the argument.

You’ve had a pretty amazing few years, starring in Downton Abbey and Game of Thrones. Those experiences must have changed your life.

They really have. I’ve felt hugely privileged, from the bottom of my heart, to have been a part of those two shows. They were wonderful platforms – being part of something that’s popular is a wonderful springboard for any actor. I had an absolute blast on Game of Thrones – they were the best three years – meeting all these amazing people, and working with fantastic crews, and going to these incredible locations. I would never otherwise have gone to Iceland, and now I have a great love for the country.

Is it true you had no idea how big Game of Thrones was until after you’d auditioned for it?

Yes, and it’s the first time in my entire life that I’ve been so happy to be ignorant. If I’d had any idea just how popular it was after the first season, I think I’d have been far more nervous walking into that room. Luckily, it just felt like another audition to me. By the second round, I’d clued up and done my research, and I managed to get the part. But the first stage is always the toughest, and I walked into that room blissfully unaware. It could all have gone very differently.

Do you get recognised a lot now? How do you find that experience?

I get recognised quite a bit from Game of Thrones, and so far it’s been great, because the fans are so passionate about it. People just want to come up and have a picture taken with you or have a chat, because they love the show. It’s been a great experience. Now that I’ve said that, I’ve jinxed it. I’m going to get eggs chucked at me and be abused in the street.

Your first big project was New Town, a Scottish drama set in Edinburgh. You won a Scottish BAFTA for that. You must have thought this acting game was pretty easy at that stage.

Noooo! I think the wonderful thing about having gone to drama school is they made every single person well aware of just how cut-throat and hard this industry can be. So I was all too aware that it’s a marathon, not a sprint.

Are you a proud Scot?

I am a proud Scot. I consider myself Scottish, but I also consider myself British, and I want Scotland to stay within the UK. I’m very passionate about that.

Which actors do you particularly look up to? Who would you really like to work with?

There are so many that I’d like to work with. I think Andrea Riseborough is astonishing, such an amazing talent. I’d love to work with her, and with Cate Blanchett. I’m a huge fan of Mark Rylance too.

What do you watch for your own entertainment?

I have just finished Breaking Bad. I can’t believe I was such a latecomer to it. It was phenomenal, every single episode. I’m ashamed to say I watched the whole thing, every series, in about five weeks.

Utopia will broadcast from 14th July, Channel 4, 10pm.

Channel 4 Dispatches Investigates The Scottish Referendum

Posted on July 8, 2014 by Frostie

Channel 4 Dispatches looked at claims of personal attacks and mudslinging on both sides of the Scottish referendum debate. (The Great British Break-up? Channel 4 Dispatches. aired 8pm Monday 7 July, available on 4OD)

Among the stories covered in the programme are allegations that many businesses have been pressured into staying silent; accusations that the Westminster government has been misleading voters in Scotland and the revelation that British embassies have been instructed to support the case for a No vote.

Polls show the single most important issue for voters is what might happen to the Scottish economy after independence. While business leaders are probably best placed to answer some of these questions, Channel 4 Dispatches investigates allegations that many have been pressured into staying silent.

Channel 4 Dispatches contacted 50 companies and business leaders believed to have concerns over independence. Five told the programme privately they’d been contacted by the Scottish Government and said they felt pressured to stay quiet about their views. Of the five, one claimed they had been visited by a Minister, two claimed they received a phone call from a Minister, and two claimed they had received a call from the First Minister’s office. And a further 14 claimed to know of other businesses who felt under pressure.

Gavin Hewitt, the former Chief Executive of the Scotch Whisky Association tells Channel 4 Dispatches that he or senior members of his staff met with Angus Robertson – the SNP leader in the House of Commons – on at least six occasions over the past two years:

“He and the SNP have regularly tried to get the message to the Scotch Whisky Association that the Scotch Whisky Industry should stay out of the independence debate. He was, I think, trying to neuter business comment. There was a genuine fear that in fact if we were seen to scupper by coming out publically against independence, there would be retribution down the track.”

“Regardless of whether the SNP win or lose the referendum vote in September they will be in power for many years to come and that those people who have stood against them or worked against the central plank of their policy, independence, will be singled out and will be remembered.”

In response, the Scottish Government told Channel 4 Dispatches that Mr Hewitt’s claims about Mr Robertson are ‘utterly false’.

The programme interviews Professor Patrick Dunleavy, Public Policy Chair at the London School of Economics, who says the UK government’s statement that the Scottish taxpayer would have to fork out £2.7 billion in set up costs misused his figures.

“It’s very hard to describe it in polite terms actually, it’s very crude, it’s alarmist, it’s not been checked and it rests on a whole series of, you know, false steps…That makes this a very dubious document. A dodgy dossier you might call it…. When you take into account all the factors that I’ve been just considering, my actual set up costs, you know the costs that you lose irretrievably just from going independent would be I guess around £150 to £200 million, that compares with numbers given in the treasury document which range from £1.5 billion to £2.7 billion. Given this is quite a polarised debate you should be checking your facts and contributing unimpeachable information.”

In response, a government spokesperson told Channel 4 Dispatches that it had ‘cited several external sources’ to provide context in their calculations for the set up costs.’

The programme reveals new information about what happened following the decision by the CBI to publicly back a No vote. This led to many of its members pulling out, most of whom claimed they’d made the decision in order to remain politically neutral. Channel 4 Dispatches has obtained emails which reveal the role played in this pull-out by the SNP’s John Swinney.

The emails reveal how Mr Swinney seized on the decision by Scottish Enterprise to pull out of the CBI to push others to do the same, with his media advisor urging Visit Scotland to follow Scottish Enterprise’s lead and pull out of the CBI: ‘Mr Swinney has made said that other public bodies should follow suit, if they are CBI members,’ one email states.

Another senior official in the Finance Office emailed the CEO of Visit Scotland, asking him: ‘Can you please let me know … when a resignation letter can be issued.’

In response, a spokesperson for the Deputy First Minister told Channel 4 Dispatches: “A poll from the British Chambers of Commerce concluded that the referendum and the prospect of an independent Scotland “has left most [UK] businesses unfazed.” John Swinney’s comments “were in the context of the CBI” taking “a political stance” that raised “questions as to whether public bodies could remain members of the CBI and continue to meet their statutory obligation of impartiality.”

The programme also includes details of cables, released under the Freedom of Information Act, which the Foreign Office has sent to its embassies around the world. While the government has said that it is neutral on the referendum, one cable, sent out to embassies and consulates, suggests otherwise. It states that the British Government is: ‘Not neutral… and will be actively campaigning to secure a referendum result that will keep the United Kingdom together.’

In response, a government spokesperson told the programme: “The Prime Minister has always been clear that this is a decision for people in Scotland to make but it is no secret that he believes those living outside Scotland should make their views known.”

Lord Sutherland, Former Vice Chancellor of Edinburgh University claims that some of those running Scottish universities have also come under pressure to stay out of the debate despite concerns about the impact of independence.

Professor Chris Whatley from Dundee University tells Channel 4 Dispatches what happened when SNP Sports Minister Shona Robison caught wind of his appearance chairing a Better Together event in a personal capacity, and wrote an urgent email to the Principal of Dundee University.

“I think people did see this as, as an attempt to stifle, public debate, I mean there isn’t any threat or there hasn’t been any threat to public speech in Scotland as long as you’re saying yes. I guess I was seen as a threat,” he tells the programme.

Lord Sutherland adds:
“To be questioned by a Scottish Minister about the propriety of his expressing views in public is disgraceful. It sends the message that you’re being watched, if Big Brother’s looking down on you, then there’s an implicit threat. … The danger is that you have a regime that does things by stealth rather than argues things out in public.”

The spokesperson for the Deputy First Minister told Channel 4 Dispatches that: “Shona Robison’s questions related to the impartiality of the Five Million Questions project” and that “In terms of wider academic views, we welcome all contributions.”

Le Di-Vin Wine Bar Edinburgh Review

Posted on May 9, 2014 by Melissa Volpi

Le Di-Vin on Randolph Place is very different from the neo-classical and Georgian architecture that make up the New Town of Edinburgh.The building looks half French farmhouse, half Tudor Free House. It was formerly known as the Oratory of St Anne but once you are through the iron gates and blue doors, it feels like you have stepped into a wine cellar not a chapel.

The black painted walls, with white ceiling and cornicing, give way to two entrances. Turn left and you reach La Petite Folie – the first of this restaurant and wine bar chain owned by Virginie Brouard. Look straight ahead and you see the entrance to Le Di-Vin Wine Bar.

This dark passageway leads to another wooden door with presence. There are two large wine casks on either side of the door, which act as tables to the miniature trees made from fairy lights that reside elegantly on them.

There is also a chalkboard with today’s menus on it. Le Di-Vin offers a choice of two daily food menus – one set menu and one all day menu – and two drinks menus. The set lunchtime menu is £11.50 for two courses.

After taking a quick peek of the set menu, we pull open the wooden doors and are greeted by an unexpectedly large and light space.

Wine Bar

What instantly draws your eye is the wall of wine bins to the left of the entrance – the bins are so high that you need a ladder to reach the top four rows. It’s lovely to see so many bottles of wine on display. It makes you eager to start tasting them…

The whole of Le Di-Vin is open plan. There are seats at the bar for those who want to pick the brains of knowledgeable staff. And there are long rustic tables and quiet corners to sit at within the main street level space. But a waiter takes our coats and seats us somewhere special.

“Would you like to eat on our mezzanine level,” he says in a well-spoken Edinburgh accent.

“Yes please,” we reply.

There are only six tables on the mezzanine level and today only one other table is occupied here – making it a peaceful area from which to observe and savour.

I cannot get enough of the wine casks that are used as tables and the trees that are made from fairy lights. They are scattered about Le Di-Vin and I think it adds an authentic and feminine touch.

Wine by the glass

When our waiter hands us the menu and wine list by the glass, we are stunned by what we see. There are 26 different varieties of white wine by the glass and 26 different varieties of red wine by the glass – a phenomenal amount and much more than I have personally encountered before.

This is a hand picked selection of unique, quality wines. And with prices ranging from £3.65 to £10.00, they represent an affordable treat.

The three whites that interest me the most are the Macon Uchizy, Domaine Talmard – Chardonnay; the Chablis 11, Domaine Fevre – Chardonnay; and the Sancerre, Lucien Crochet 11 – Sauvignon.

Kirsty is finding it difficult to choose only one wine too and ponders over three reds: the Atacamea Carmenere; the Merlot, Domaine Astruc; and the Rioja, Dominio de Heredia.

There is another, bigger wine list too selling even more wines – this time by the bottle.

Merlot and Sancerre

Our waiter walks up the wooden steps to our table…

“Would you like a little more time, Ladies? Or are you ready to order?”

Kirsty and I look at the menu again, then each other.

“We’re ready!”

The lunchtime set menu, served from 12 noon until 5 pm, and the all day menu, served from 12 noon until 10 pm, sells traditional French fare. There is Croque-Monsieur, snails in garlic butter, Les Tartines (toasted country bread with a choice of two fillings) and four different sharing platters to name but a few.

We decide to order a rustic board of mixed cheese and ham to share, as well as a glass of Merlot and Sancerre.

I’ve visited France many times and one of the things that I love most, is the individual family run shops that make up each town’s main street, or each cities ‘quarter.’ Tesco is handy and quick. But there is nothing like meandering down a beautiful French boulevard, with buildings that have tall windows and ornate balconies, and wandering into a wine shop, cheese shop, delicatessen and bakers. It’s so French and fun. And I like the fact that this wine bar is trying to bring all these different cultural elements together to give you an experience, rather than just feed and water you.

Mixed Cheese and Charcuterie Planchette

The wines come first, followed by a wooden board covered in chunks of cheese and slices of cold meats.

Kirsty’s Merlot tastes of black forest gateau. It is a good choice and will go perfectly with the cheese and ham. My Sancerre is a beautiful colour. It reminds me of sand at sunrise. It tastes fresh and lively – like spring in a glass. It’s a good wine to sip by itself or to have with salads and fish. But for my palette, I think it’s a little light and bright to be having with strong cheese and spicy meats.

The sharing platter looks colourful. There is a selection of Saucisson, Salami, Parma Ham and Terrine. And cheeses from Chaource, Brie de Meaux, Tomme de Savoie, St Agur, Comté, Pont l’Evèque and Reblochon. All served alongside gherkins, grapes and bread with butter.

Kirsty and I knock glasses before digging in to our favourites. I love Salami and Brie and quickly grab these of the board first…

Très chic

Kirsty and I both enjoyed our quick lunchtime treat. The medium-sharing platter is more than enough for two people – we are both feeling contentedly full. And my glass of Sancerre was a lovely alternative to the Italian whites that I normally drink. It’s not a wine that I would have bought buy the bottle when dining out, as apart from being expensive, I had not tasted it before. So the opportunity to buy this by the glass was most welcome.

I can’t fault Le Di-Vin. Virginie Brouard has got the location, the design and the wine right. She’s built a classy establishment that is not pretentious – no mean feat in a city.

If I were to pull up anything, it would be the choice of cheeses and cold meats in the sharing platters. The wine at Le Di-Vin is not the norm. And I think the food should not be the norm either. The cheeses and cold meats are delicious, but what you would expect. Maybe an additional sharing platter offering rare fromage and charcuterie would be a nice addition…

Kirsty and I take our last sips of wine while looking straight ahead at a wall mural that is a modern take of The Last Supper. Instead of Jesus sharing a last meal with his Apostles in Jerusalem, there’s Oscar Wilde surrounded by the great philosophers and artists of the 19^th, 20^th and 21^st centuries. I like it. It’s a quirky take on Leonardo da Vinci’s work and it reminds me of a quote by Wilde.

“I have the simplest taste. I am always satisfied with the best.”

Le Di-Vin more than satisfies my simple tastes. It is one of the best wine bars that I have ever frequented. And I will be going back to sample more of these extraordinary wines by the glass.

Our light lunch for two:

1 x Merlot, Domaine Astruc, 250ml glass £6.95

1 x Sancerre, Lucien Crochet 11, 250ml glass £10.00

1 x Mixed Cheese and Charcuterie Planchette, small, £15.00

Total: £31.95 + tip (£16.00 per head for a cheese and ham sharing boar with bread and large glass of quality wine.)

We like…

THE LOCATION

THE DESIGN

THE WAITERS

THE BINS OF WINE DISPLAY WALL

THE LIST OF QUALITTY WINES BY THE GLASS

THE MERLOT, DOMAINE ASTRUC

THE SANCERRE, LUCIEN CROCHET 11

THE PLANCHETTE DE FROMAGES

THE MEZZANINE DINING AREA

THE PRICES

Contact details:

Le Di-Vin Wine Bar
9 Randolph Place
Edinburgh
EH3 7TE

0131 538 1815

info@ledivin.co.uk

http://www.ledivin.co.uk/

Stephanie Manns Come Closer Album Review

Posted on March 5, 2014 by Catherine Balavage

My first thought on Stephanie Manns album is how cool the actual CD is; it is designed like a vinyl record. Pretty cool. Next up is how upbeat and happy the album is. Starting with the optimistic and happy ‘Follow You’, singer/songwriter Stephanie Manns has made a truly impressive debut album. She has a beautiful voice and a talent for songwriting. She writes wonderfully heartfelt lyrics.

Country, Americana and folk artist inspired; the use of guitar and ukulele really adds to the (mostly) upbeat tracks. The album is 10 tracks long and there is not even one dud song. An accomplished debut. Impressive.

“Without a doubt, Stephanie Manns is a singersongwriter with the raw talent, and sure promise of future success.” – Maverick Magazine

“Anthemic Americana… Catchy guitar and pristine vocals.” – Diva Magazine

Stunning Debut Album from Glasgow Based Singer-Songwriter Stephanie Manns

Multi-talented singer-songwriter Stephanie Manns has released her debut album Come Closer – a positively beautiful collection of original songs from the UK’s most exciting new country, Americana and folk artist.

From the heartfelt and optimistic tones of opening track “Follow You” to the genuinely moving missive “The Way You Want Me To” and the melancholic yet hopeful “All Over”, Come Closer is an accomplished album of exquisitely performed songs, infused with inclusive and attractive melodies, which also deeply captivates the listener through Manns’ heartwarmingly sincere lyrics.

Refining her skills on the Scottish acoustic music scene, Stephanie has supported Blues Legend Joan Armatrading, Ultravox’s Midge Ure, alt-country troubadours Ahab and Brit award winner Emeli Sandé. It was during this time that Stephanie was discovered by national arts organisation Creative Scotland, who strongly supported her cause, helping Stephanie to fund the album as an independent artist.

Manns’ songwriting has been heavily influenced by Tift Merritt, Madison Violet and Patti Griffin, which is apparent throughout the album and serves to enhance the body of work as a whole. Come Closer illuminates Manns as a brilliantly gifted artist, who writes charmingly enjoyable songs that have the ability to move a diverse array of music lovers.

Come Closer is available to buy on iTunes

www.stephaniemanns.com/

https://en-gb.facebook.com/Stephaniemannsmusic

https://twitter.com/StephanieManns

Amarone Edinburgh Restaurant Review

Posted on February 24, 2014 by Melissa Volpi

Amarone restaurant is majestic inside and out. It is situated in Edinburgh’s financial district, St Andrews Square and is a former safe – known as the ‘Vault.’ The high domed ceiling and archways are the two centrepieces and the tall windows fill the place with light – albeit street lights, as we are booked in at 7 pm.

We are greeted by two male hosts near the entrance and pass the bar and open kitchen, on the way to our romantic candlelit booth – situated right at the back of Amarone, on an elevated dining area. The restaurant is completely full, with an eclectic mix of diners from students to sophisticated retirees.

The white walls compliment the dark walnut floor and the drop lighting, ceiling decorations and rows of gallery style photographs, give that contemporary look which Amarone promise on the website. Our Italian waitress offers to take our coats as we get settled in the booth and hands us the wine list and a la carte menu.

Vino e mangiare

The wine list is the best that I have seen in a UK Italian restaurant. Not only do they offer six different versions of Amarone (a rich, Italian dry red wine that is 15-16% alc/vol), their house whites and reds are better than the norm and still reasonably priced.

We ask our waitress what is most popular by the glass and opt for the house white Sauvignon – Altana di Vico Sauvignon Triveneto – and the house red Merlot – Ardesia Merlot IGT Veneto – both £18.95 per bottle and £6.45 per large, 250 ml glass.

Browsing the starters, we see classic favourites like minestrone, crostini, homemade chicken liver pate and beef carpaccio. I like to eat locally sourced food where possible and choose the Capesante con Pancetta – seared Scottish king scallops served with grilled pancetta ham, with a sun dried tomato and chilli dressing. My partner opts for seafood too, to allow space for a carbohydrate-laden maincourse, and picks the Cozze Vapore – mussels with white wine, flat leaf parsley, garlic and olive oil.

I can’t visit an Italian restaurant and not have a pizza or pasta dish, so we decide to share the pizza verdi – fresh spinach, rocket, ricotta cheese and shaved parmesan with garlic and chilli oil – and the Petto d’Anatra all’Amarone – pan seared duck breast, served pink, with an Amarone wine sauce, braised Savoy cabbage, sautéed potatoes, pancetta and confit of figs.

Focaccia

As our waitress walks off with the food and drinks order, another appears with a focaccia. We look at this pizza plate of Italian bread, topped with Parma ham, parmesan shavings and rocket, and wish we had not ordered a pizza for maincourse…

Our second Italian waitress sees the ‘I don’t know how I’m going to eat all of this’ look on our faces and provides some encouragement.

“Compliments of the house,” she says. “Mangia, mangia!”

’Mangia, mangia!’ is my most treasured Italian phrase and the first word that I could truly understand without translation when I visited my father’s family as a child – it means ‘eat.’ I have not heard it for some time now though. My nonna (grandmother) used to repeat this during every meal that we spent together in Florence and you could see the joy in her emerald eyes as we tucked into her four lovingly prepared courses with enthusiasm. I smile at the memory and look at the focaccia. It smells too good to waste, so we each take a slice.

I am not easily impressed when it comes to Italian restaurants in the UK – after being brought up on my father’s and nonna’s cooking – but this bread is exceptional. It’s lighter than traditional focaccia, but the dough is flavoursome and the consistency is just right. I try not to eat half – as I want to enjoy the rest of this meal. My partner, however, cannot restrain himself and ends up eating three quarters of it himself.

Antipasti

The scallops and mussels arrive in large white bowls, with an extra bowl set aside for the empty mussel shells.

There is a handful of spinach and rocket separating my four scallops and each one has a teaspoon of dressing on top. It’s a simple arrangement that works. I have a tendency to overcook scallops – a cooking trait that I get from my mother, who overcooks most food – so it is a real treat to eat scallops that slide down the throat just like oysters. Yum.

My partner is almost finished the mussels by the time I have eaten two scallops – my nonna would be proud of his enthusiasm – but manages to show me a novel way of eating them before they are all gone. He uses an empty shell to pick out the rest of the mussels. It’s a unique idea that’s much easier than using a fork – and one that I must remember.

Pizza e carne

I’ve been looking forward to the maincourse – as I’ve not tried duck in Amarone sauce before. But when our waitress places this plate of carne in front of me, I notice how thin the sauce is. Instead of allowing it to simmer into a heavy reduction, which I like, it looks like the chef has just splashed some Amarone straight from the bottle onto my plate.

I keep an open mind though and tuck in. The sauce does not stick to the meat, like I thought, but the duck is tender and tasty nonetheless – and the sautéed potatoes are addictive.

Happy, contented sounds come from my partner’s side of the booth – making it obvious that he is enjoying the pizza verdi. But he gives up after two slices – this selection of Italian food has defeated him. I taste a slice of pizza and immediately fall in love with the soft ricotta cheese. It’s too good to leave.

“Could you box this up for us,” I ask our waitress. “We’ll have it tomorrow for lunch.”

Dolce

Being used to large portions of carbohydrates, I have left just enough room for il dolce.

There are 7 desserts on offer in Amarone and all are traditionally Italian. The prices are reasonable, with the most expensive being the Formaggi Misti at £6.95 – a selection of Italian cheeses served with oatcakes and honey. The Tortino di Formaggio – mascarpone, honey and ginger cheesecake on a crushed gingernut biscuit base – sounds unusual and delicious. But I opt for the pannacotta – as it’s light.

Pannacotta con Lamponi

Our waitress puts down the plate in front of me – but leaves two spoons, which makes my partner smile. This is a simple dessert, arranged simply on the plate. No fuss or embellishments – just the vanilla pannacotta with 5 large dabs of raspberry compote surrounding it. My partner puts his spoon in first.

“Mmmm,” he says with closed eyes.

I scoop a piece of pannacotta – and do the same.

Not everything in Amarone is as perfect as the focaccia, seafood, pizza, duck breast and pannacotta. The red wine list, however good, is pricy when you opt for something other than the three house reds. The restaurant could do with an Italian host at the door who oozes my nonna’s love of food and wine. And the Amarone sauce that drenched my duck, could have had more substance…

BUT, Amarone is all the more charming for a couple of imperfections. It is the only Italian restaurant that I’ve tried in the UK so far – bar my father’s – that is worthy of my nonna’s cooking. Most Italian restaurants have front of house charm. Fewer have food with charm.

Amarone’s food is made with love and is the perfect place to take your love. Well done to owners, Mario Gizzi and Tony Conetta. As they say in Italy, a dopo (see you later)…

Editors note: We did eat the pizza for lunch the following day – and it was just as good cold.

Our meal for two:

1 x Focaccia di Parma £7.95

1 x Cozze Vapore £6.75

1 x Capesante con Pancetta £7.95

1 x Pizza Verdi £10.25

1x Petto d’Anatra all’Amarone £16.95

1 x Pannacotta con Lamponi £5.25

1 x Altana di Vico Sauvignon Triveneto 250ml glass £6.45

1 x Ardesia Merlot IGT Veneto 250ml glass £6.45

Total: £68.00 + tip (£34.00 per head for two people having starter, maincourse and dessert + one large glass of house wine each)

We like…

THE LOCATION

THE BUILDING

THE ITALIAN WAITRESSES

THE WINE LIST

THE FOCACCIA

THE SEAFOOD

THE PIZZA

THE PANNACOTTA

THE FOOD PRICES

Contact details:

Amarone
13 St Andrew Square

Edinburgh

EH2 2AF

Telephone number: 0131 523 11 71

Email: info@amaronerestaurant.co.uk

Website: http://www.amaronerestaurant.co.uk/edinburgh_amarone

Survey Reveals Men Are Healthier Than Women

Posted on February 11, 2014 by Frostie

Men are healthier and happier than women in general according to a new survey.

Health and Happiness, a nationwide study of 2,000 men and women found that men reported a higher rate of happiness when it came to their weight, shape, appearance, and the way they are perceived by others (55%). Women, on the other hand, were more self-conscious and slightly less satisfied with their happiness levels at around 49%. Women are also much more likely to try dieting (71%) compared to men (47%).

Men don’t feel stressed as often either. Almost 60% of male respondents said they only felt stressed once a month, whereas 60% of women said they felt anxious once a week or more.
Over 70% of men also claim they rarely felt depressed or had mood swings, compared to half of women (50%) who admitted to feeling low or unhappy at least once a month, if not more.

Male respondents reported that they were less likely to have trouble sleeping at night – 51% said restless sleep occurred around once a week or more, compared to 60% of women.
Headaches, bloating or poor digestion were less of a problem among men. Almost half (49%) said they rarely got headaches, compared to 64% women who said they experienced them at least once a month or more. For 70% of men, bloating and poor digestion would only occur once a month or less, but almost half (43%) of women said it was a weekly or daily problem.
Men also reported higher satisfaction levels when it came to their professional lives, from job security (51%) and salary (45%) through to career prospects (46%) and overall finances (50%).

Londoners rate themselves the healthiest
Londoners rate their city the health capital of the UK, with 59 per cent of people describing themselves as ‘healthy’, the highest proportion in the UK and above the national average of 54 per cent. The average units of alcohol consumed per week was relatively low at 5.5 units, compared to Manchester, which saw the highest average of 6.7 units. 79 per cent are non-smokers, and only 12 per cent classed themselves as regular smokers. Londoners are also keen exercisers, with half doing at least 20 minutes of exercise twice a week or more. They have a high sleep average of 6.7 hours per night and get their serving of five a day an average of 3.16 times per week, compared to the lowest average of only 2.6 times a week in Belfast.

Sleep leads to happiness in Sheffield
Sheffield has been revealed as being home to the happiest residents, probably because they are most likely to get the right amount of sleep. 40 per cent said they get a healthy average of seven hours sleep per night, compared to the national average of 34 per cent. Under half (48 per cent) said they were only likely to experience difficulty sleeping once a month or less. That might be why one in ten said they never feel stressed or anxious. They were also happiest in the country with their family life (75 per cent), where they live (66 per cent), shape and weight (54 per cent), and appearance (55 per cent), compared to their respective national averages of 69 per cent, 62 per cent, 52 per cent and 52 per cent.

Feeling glum in Brum
Birmingham was revealed as the unhappiest and most stressed city in the UK. The city had the highest number of smokers and its residents suffered the most ailments in the country. Brummies had the lowest average when asked to rate their happiness in terms of their relationships (56 per cent), family lives (63 per cent) overall health (55 per cent) and their appearance (50 per cent), below the respective national averages of 60 per cent, 69 per cent, 60 per cent and 52 per cent.

Over 30% are smokers and the city has the second lowest quitting rate. When it came to stress and anxiety, 62 per cent said they experienced one or the other once a week or more. Jobs were cited as the biggest cause of stress (31 per cent) closely followed by money (29 per cent). Brummies also suffer the most ailments, with 48 per cent experiencing bloating and poor digestion, 44 per cent having headaches, and 47 per cent complaining of low moods once a week or more. Nearly half (44 per cent) reported difficulty sleeping most nights.

Unhealthy but loved up in Belfast
Almost half (46 per cent) of respondents from Belfast described themselves as ‘unhealthy’ when asked to rate their current health status – the highest percentage in the country. Over half (53 per cent) complain of difficulty sleeping once a week or more and one in ten say they get daily headaches. More than one in four (27 per cent) experience low moods or depression once a week or more, and 37 per cent admitted that they would only do 20 minute workout sessions once a month or less. They were also the least likely to get their portions of five-a-day each week.

Although Belfast had the fourth highest number of smokers in the UK, it also had the best quitting rate, with a quarter of people saying they have given up smoking – the highest in the country. They also came top of the poll when questioned about how happy they were in their relationships and love life, with an average happiness score of 67 per cent. They also reported the most satisfying sex lives, with an average happiness rating of 55 per cent – above the national average of 51 per cent.

Cardiff is the capital of cardio
People living in Cardiff are the exercise pros of the UK with over half (54 per cent) doing at least 20 minutes of exercise twice a week or more, the highest percentage in the country. But despite high levels of exercise, Cardiff residents are the least content with their shape and weight, with an average happiness score of 49 per cent, just below the national average of 52 per cent.
When it came to money, however, the city was the happiest with their overall finances, with an average happiness rating of 52 per cent, compared to the national average of 49 per cent.

Sleep deprived Scots
Edinburgh is home to anation of sleep deprived residents with nearly 1 in 10 people only getting up to four hours sleep a night, a good two and half hours below the national average. When they do sleep, over 70 per cent said they have restless nights or difficulty sleeping. Feelings of stress and anxiety were a weekly occurrence among 47 per cent of respondents and money was cited as being the biggest cause of stress (39 per cent). The city also experienced a high proportion of daily ailments with one in five suffering from arthritis and joint problems every day – the most in the country.

Manchester drinks the most

Manchunians have admitted to being the biggest drinkers in the UK with the highest weekly average units of alcohol consumed. Residents admitted to drinking an average of 7 units of alcohol per week, compared to the national average of 5 units, and 15 per cent disclosed that they consume on average over 15 units per week.

Despite this, almost half (49 per cent) of residents described themselves as healthy when asked to rate their health status. Manchester was also revealed to be the second keenest city when it comes to exercise. Nearly one in four claim to do at least 20 minutes of exercise four times a week or more, closely behind the highest which was Cardiff at 26 per cent.

There is also a relatively low rate of smokers, with only 12 per cent of people regarding themselves as regular smokers.
Bristolians best at beating the bulge
Bristol is the city of successful dieters, with 42 per cent saying they have tried dieting and that it has worked for them. 17 per cent of respondents said they hadn’t tried to diet but would be willing to give it a go. They get their serving of five a day on average three times a week but happiness levels are below the national averages when it comes to their salary, career prospects, appearances, job security and overall finances.

Liverpool high anti-diet rate
Liverpool has the highest rate of anti-dieters with a quarter of residents saying they would be reluctant to try one – the highest in the country. Only 14% who had never tried one before said they would be open to the idea, still the lowest percentage in the country. They are also one of the least likely cities to get regular exercise with 36 per cent reporting 20 minutes of exercise once a month or less. 76 per cent said they felt stressed once a month or more, the second highest in the country after Birmingham.

Leeds stressed and losing sleep
Over half of Leeds residents (54 per cent) experience stress once a week or more. Money was cited as the biggest cause of stress (34 per cent), followed by jobs (24 per cent) and then family (14 per cent). Leeds also experiences frequent levels of sleep difficulty, with 64 per cent saying they have trouble sleeping once a week or more. Over one in ten admitted to only getting up to 5 hours of sleep a night.

The Adamson Restaurant Review

Posted on January 27, 2014 by Melissa Volpi

The first thing that strikes you on walking towards The Adamson are the words ‘Post Office’ carved into the stone structure of the building, above the entrance door. (It used to be the main post office in St Andrews from 1907 until 2012) The second thing is the fairy lights that can be seen through each south-facing window.

The inside is different from what I expect – but in a good way. The tables, chairs, ceiling lights and artwork are contemporary and have that trendy city vibe going on. The wooden floor, brick work walls and natural foliage add a rustic element, which I like.

Lindsey Kirk, the house manager, is the first person to greet us. She guides us through the small bar at the restaurants entrance and seats us at a table near the open kitchen. Our waitress, Adrienne, offers to hang up our coats in the cloakroom before handing us the menu.

I take a quick glance and know immediately what I’m ordering – Pittenweem crab with lime and chilli butter on toasted sourdough bread to start, then char-grilled fillet steak with peppercorn sauce and skinny fries for main course. Pittenweem is a coastal village near St Andrews that is famous for fish and it’s nice to see their crab on the menu. My mum opts for the crispy calamari with pomegranate, satsuma and watercress, followed by Atlantic sole with kale, pine nuts and root vegetables.

Some of the dishes are pricey – The Adamson sell chateaubriand for two, with hand cut chips, roasted garlic mash, green beans, and peppercorn & béarnaise sauce for £59.95 – but it is evident that they are trying to cater for all budgets, as one of their signature dishes is The Adamson burger with bacon, gruyère cheese, skinny fries & house ketchup for £11.50.

Starter

Sipping my virgin mojito and looking around the dining room, I spot snazzy looking deer antlers with a crystal-embellished skull on the wall.

“That’s Austin,” says Mike Lewis, the General Manager here at The Adamson, as he passes our table. “He was handmade by a friend of my wife’s.”

Mum and I say a toast and tuck into our starters – under the watchful, sparkly eye of Austin. My crab is just right, temperature wise – not too cold – and the lime and chilli butter adds a delightful Mexican kick. My mum, who is not normally a fan of whole calamari, has finished her starter within seconds.

“It’s melt in the mouth,” she says.

The only downside to this feast is the techno pop style background music – which really does not go with the surroundings.

Main course

I’ve been eating fillet steaks with peppercorn sauce since I was 5 years old – and it’s safe to say that the combination not only brings back childhood memories, but would also be on my ‘last supper’ list. That pairing of lightly pink meat with ladles of cream based peppercorn sauce is heavenly – in my opinion. So I am a little sad to see a gravy based peppercorn sauce arrive on my plate. That aside, the presentation is spot on and the steak is cooked just the way I ordered it – medium rare.

Three cherry tomatoes on the vine rest on top of my chargrilled meat and a mound of vibrant green rocket sits alongside it. The peppercorn sauce sits behind this meat and salad centrepiece in a small steel ladle. I’ve never seen this sauce presentation method before, but I like it – a lot. The idea may look minimalist, but as I start drenching the steak with sauce, there is more than enough to go around – even for a sauce lover like me. The skinny fries are served separately in small metal buckets and a choice of sauce options is available.

My mum’s Atlantic sole is browned nicely on top, creating a crispy coating that reminds me of pork crackling. But what is most innovative about this presentation is how the chef has served the lemon. He has covered half a lemon in muslin cloth and positioned it on the plate like a wedding favour – a brilliant idea that stops your fingers getting wet when seasoning the sole.

“How are the main courses,” asks Mike.

“Delicious,” we reply.

Dessert

We are handed a narrow piece of card with a selection of six desserts and a choice of dessert wines on one side and a coffee list on the other. The dessert is always my favourite part of the meal – and I always make sure and leave room for it. But, this list is not exciting me. There is The Adamson sundae, apple trifle, sticky toffee pudding and a selection of ice cream and sorbet. It’s a ‘what you’d expect’ list of desserts, rather than the original – and innovative – starters and main courses that we have just enjoyed. I’m about to order a cappuccino as dessert when Adrienne walks over.

“We have a very special dessert available tonight. It’s haggis spiced brûlée with oat crumble and rhubarb,” she says with a smile.

Now, that’s more like it! I immediately order the haggis spiced brûlée and persuade my mum to try the apple trifle with vanilla custard and nut crumble – as it sounds the most interesting. She is not a fan of nuts and hesitates for a moment, but Adrienne comes to the rescue – again.

“The nut crumble is made with pistachios and sprinkled on top of the cream,” she tells us. “ But we can easily leave that out for you.”

Haggis spiced brûlée

Nothing can prepare you for the look or taste of this special dessert. It is beautifully presented on the white plate and the colours instantly draw your eye – it’s a picture of pink elegance and I feel guilty about tucking in.

The brûlée looks like dulce de leche and is surrounded by small clusters of oat crumble. A quenelle of rhubarb sorbet rests neatly on top and a few thick drops of rhubarb compote, and rhubarb strands itself, decorate the sides. I give my mum a little smile before tasting my first spoonful…

I’m used to haggis, neeps and tatties, but this is something else. The unique flavour of haggis really comes through – it couldn’t be anything else – but the strong notes of perfume in the aftertaste make it seem like you’re eating a soft version of Turkish delight. I love it.

A coffee for the road

We finish off this three-course meal with a coffee each – my mum orders a black Americano and I a cappuccino.

Taking a bite of the complimentary ginger shortbread that is served with the coffee, we both feel completely and utterly satisfied – not disgustingly full. Normally after a three-course meal, I feel like I’m carrying twins in my belly! Thankfully, that is not the case now.

The portions were just right, with each course filling a hole but still leaving you a little hungry for more. And I think the same could be said of The Adamson itself. It’s a restaurant and bar that excites the senses of taste and sight and makes you want to come back for more.

Our meal for two:

Virgin mojito x 2 @ £3.50 each (£7.00 in total)
Tanqueray gin £3.35
Slimline tonic, 200ml, £1.50
San Pellegrino, small, £1.95
New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, Fox by John Belsham, 250ml glass £10.50
Pittenweem crab with crème fraiche and lime and chilli butter on toasted sourdough £9.50
Crispy Calamari with pomegranate, Satsuma and watercress £6.95
220g Fillet steak with skinny fries and peppercorn sauce £26.95
Atlantic sole with kale, pine nuts and root veg £15.50
Side of skinny fries £2.95
Haggis spiced brûlée with oat crumble and rhubarb £5.00
Apple trifle with vanilla custard and nut crumble £6.50
Cappuccino £2.75
Americano £2.25

Total: £102.55 + tip (works out at around £50.00 per head for three courses plus drinks)

Best bits about The Adamson

ORIGINAL RECIPES USING LOCAL AND SEASONAL PRODUCE

WARM, INVITING DINING ROOM THAT’S BOTH RUSTIC AND CONTEMPORARY

AUSTIN – DEER ANTLER AND SKULL WALL DECORATION

COCKTAILS

PLEASANT AND ATTENTIVE WAITERS

SPECIALS BOARD

Worst bits about The Adamson

SMALL BAR

BACKGROUND MUSIC

DESSERT MENU

CAN BE A BIT PRICEY

Contact details:

The Adamson,  127 South Street,  St Andrews,  Fife,  KY16 9UH
Telephone number: 01334 479 191
Email: info@theadamson.com
Website: http://www.theadamson.com/

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