27th April 2013

I am totally in love with M&S Bramley Apple Turnovers. Crisp, crunchy sugary pastry, sweet apple filling, yum!

An absolute must for a pastry lover like myself, with a very large black coffee!!!

 

 

The Waldorf Hilton, London

13^th April 2013

As their website says, this is one of the capital’s most iconic hotels. The Waldorf Hilton London hotel has a backdrop of genuine historic splendour. However, in all the four years I’ve lived in London, I have never wanted to eat there. There is no particular reason, but I suppose if you don’t hear about a place, why would you want to eat there.

The reason for our visit after all this time, is good old Groupon. We had some of our friends visit from Southampton and they were treating us having bought a 3 course meal for two plus a champagne cocktail for £69.

We started with drinks in the new chic 1920's 
themed bar and lounge Good Godfreys, then
to dinner in the stylish Homage Grand Salon Restaurant.










We started with our champagne cocktails and Mr A ordered a bottle of Malbec, South African this time as opposed to our usual Argentinian.








For starter I had smoked salmon, lambs leaf salad with
cucumber, tomatoes, shallots and mint yogurt dressing.

 For main I had venison sausages, steamed broccoli, watercress and blue cheese mash and a rich red onion jus.

Dessert I took home for Miss A, as I shared Mr A’s cheeseboard.

I must admit, it was a lovely dinner. However, thank heavens it was Groupon, because if our friends had had to pay the full amount for what was OK, I would have been annoyed. The meal wasn’t special and I wonder if that is why you don’t hear about it. We could have had that meal in our local bistro bar.

 

We had a fantastic night and I am pleased we tried The Waldorf Hilton Hotel for dinner. But, unless it’s on offer, I would give it a miss!


Food


Company

Chez Jules and Mike

14^th February 2012

 Valentine’s Day

I like to celebrate Valentine’s Day but that doesn’t mean going out and paying for dinner that would cost considerable less the next day!

So, I asked Mr A. what he would like me to cook for him as he was at work and I wasn’t. I have to admit, I would never have guessed kidney, ooh! Anyway, I asked, that’s what he wanted and so that’s what he got.

I grilled some thin pork sausages, as they were cooking I fried mushrooms, added the kidney and made rich gravy using beef cubes. I added the sausages to the pan and simmered for 20 minutes. I then served with triangles of toast. As you can see, it looked great. I am not a kidney lover but it did taste good. Mr A. had this with a red gin and tonic (yes, I added red food colouring) and a lovely bottle of Malbec.

In honour of Valentine’s Day I treated us to some cupcakes from Hummingbird Bakery. Well when I say us, I mean me, as Mr A. isn't bothered about them. Ah well, more for me!!! At a cost of £26.50 for dinner for two, I think that's not bad. Mr A said it would have been even better at £16.50 if I hadn't bought the cupcakes! But look a them, they were essential don't you think?

A lovely evening, now who wouldn’t want that?

http://hummingbirdbakery.com/locations/old-brompton-road/

For the food and the company

11th February 2012

The restaurant website describes it as having  ‘Bohemian edge’ and it certainly has that. It has trinkets and relics decorating the place giving it the feel of a ski chalet, having said that I’ve never been to a ski chalet! We arrived on one of the coldest nights of the year; there was no doubt it was below zero. And strangely it was the same in the restaurant! We booked for 6.30pm and it had just opened. There were two small bar heaters to heat the entire restaurant, so our coats stayed on. The restaurant smelled odd, perhaps of old furniture, not quite sure!

Mr A. had lived in Switzerland for two and half years and was I fortunate to visit at least once a month. Therefore, I booked this as a treat for him. We came for fondue so that’s what we ordered. The Fondue Neuchatel made with Emmental, Gruyere and garlic, came served with salad, salami and boiled potatoes. We ordered a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc, which did not need an ice bucket!

Despite the odd smell, which was not the cheese, and the cold, the fondue was fantastic. It was truly authentic and just as we had remembered from Switzerland.

So much so that we ordered a second pot!!!

 I would visit this restaurant again, who wouldn’t at £9.60 per person? It’s a must!

http://www.walluc.com/english/index.html


For the venue

Fondue

The Hummingbird Bakery, Old Brompton Road, London.

5^th May 2011

I love cupcakes! I can’t help myself and what better place to buy them than Hummingbird Bakery? I haven’t been for a while. The last time I went it was more a ‘fact finding mission’. Well, you have to try a few to get the one(s) you like!

I had a particularly brilliant day at work and decided to treat myself, again, to a cupcake on the way home.

 

From visiting the bakery several times (I am not saying how many!) I know that the customers’ all-time favourite is the Red Velvet Cupcake, but for me it leaves a strange after taste. However, the Mango Cupcake is another story, it is sensational! To those of you that don’t get cupcakes that will sound OTT, but for me the word describes it perfectly. The Mango sponge filled with a fresh mango puree, frosted with a mango scented frosting, is heaven!

 

Mr A. doesn’t get the cupcake phenomenon, but then I don't get his love of oysters!

http://hummingbirdbakery.com/locations/old-brompton-road/

8th August 2011

I went to the fabulous five star Merchant Hotel, situated in the heart of Belfast city centre, with my two siblings and gorgeous niece. The hotel is a beautiful blend of Victorian grandeur and Art Deco and utterly glamorous. As you can see from the pictures, it was the perfect setting for afternoon tea.

                                                                                 

I am not going to describe the afternoon tea, I think the pictures speak for themselves!

















Was it amazing? Yes
Would you go again? Yes
Was it value for money? Yes
Did you take a goodie bag home? Yes
Did you walk around the exclusive fashion boutique Harper, on the ground floor of the hotel, after tea, in a pair of Christian Louboutin shoes? Yes

Now who wouldn't want that?

http://www.themerchanthotel.com/

Without a doubt!

3^rd June 2011

We took the ferry to Ile Sainte Marguerite to visit the fortress prison (Fort Royal), in which the so-called Man in the Iron Mask was held in the 17th century. Having walked around the fortress and the island for a couple of hours, it was time for a late lunch. In reflection, we were really fortunate to come across La Guerite. What a fantastic setting!

We were initially sitting next to a large group, which seemed to consist of two families, who were very loud and very pretentious. We didn’t care that their kids went to school with Jeremy Clarkson’s kids nor were we interested in whether he had an affair or not. So we asked to be moved! It was too good a day to be ruined by rich, spoilt folk from the UK.

Mr A ordered a chilled bottle of Chateau Rasque which was perfect for such a hot day in such a fantastic location.

Mr A and I both ordered the foie gras, while Mr A Jnr and Miss A ordered, what turned out to be a huge bowl of small fishes. The fois gras was really creamy and presented well, the small fishes were enjoyed by all as there was too much for Mr A Jnr and Miss A to finish. A delious lunch!

                                                                               We sat for a couple hours, watching the world go by before catching the ferry back to Cannes. A brilliant day!

http://www.laguerite.fr/restaurant-cannes-english.html

(you must look at the wedsite, it is amazing!)

For the food

For the location