From the archive · page 4
Back To O Lusitano, Albufeira, Algarve, Portugal
Following the disappointment of returning to our once favourite restaurant in Albufeira to find it had changed in every way possible (none for the better) we were unsure whether to risk ruining more happy memories by…
‘Great Chefs, Great Causes’ @ Ibérica, Spinningfields, Manchester
It’s not everyday you get the chance to eat dishes from several of the world’s best chefs in the same place at the same time. But a few weeks ago I did exactly that after being invited to the press launch of ‘Great…
Classic Afternoon Tea at Dorsett Shepherds Bush, London
It’s surprisingly difficult to find a good afternoon tea in London on a Saturday. I’d left it too late to get a reservation at my first choice, Sketch, while many others only serve them Monday to Friday. Eventually I…
PLY, Northern Quarter – FINALLY Decent Pizza In A Manchester Restaurant
I’ve eaten loads of great pizzas in Manchester over the last few years but unfortunately none have been in restaurants. All the best ones seem to be coming from street food vendors like Rudy’s and particularly Honest…
St. JOHN Maltby, Maltby Street, London
Maltby Street was already one of my favourite places in London; its lively Ropewalk food market features fantastic stalls, pop up bars and street food along with a great vibe and friendly atmosphere. It’s even better…
Common, Northern Quarter, Manchester – It’s All Change At Common
There are some places that epitomise their location; Common in the Northern Quarter used to be a prime example. The NQ institution was one of my favourite places in Manchester to drink. Its quirky and artistic – if a…
Chicken Soup for the Soul: Jewish Soul Food Supper Club
It was my third time at one of Sue Waxman’s ‘Chicken Soup for the Soul’ supper clubs at her home in Prestwich. The first absolutely blew me away but by her own very high standards the second wasn’t quite as good.…
Wood. Wine & Deli – Northern Quarter, Manchester (Revisit)
Slightly stale Cinnamon Swirl aside; I really enjoyed my visit to Wood. Wine & Deli in Manchester’s Northern Quarter last year. Back then it felt very much like a wine bar and deli that served food rather than a…
Shebeen Festival 2015
Following the success of ‘Winter Beer Fest‘, Grub, Shebeen and Blackjack Brewery collaborated once more to bring us Shebeen Festival 2015. The event was held across three venus in Manchester’s Green Quarter; Runaway…
Tattu, Manchester – ‘Modern Chinese’, Spinningfields Style
As we approached Tattu – a swanky new ‘Modern Chinese’ restaurant – I couldn’t help wondering if I was going to feel as out of place as I often do in Spinningfields. This feeling intensified when I spotted the bouncers…
Say Hello To ‘Beer Geek’
You may have noticed I’ve been a little quiet around here lately. It’s not that I haven’t been eating as much as usual, believe me I have. But I’ve been busy setting up an alter-ego and a sister site for this blog. I…
Siam Smiles – The Best Thai Food In Manchester, Where You’d Least Expect It
There are plenty of Thai restaurants in Manchester but until last year none that I really wanted to eat at. Most are either way too expensive or serving up average, westernised food. Or both. Then Siam Smiles came…
Splendid Kitchen Takeover: Love From The Streets
It’s all change at Splendid since my visit last year. Firstly, they’ve changed their name from Splendid Sausage Co to Splendid Kitchen, presumably because they ended up selling a whole lot more than just sausages. More…
Back To ‘The French By Simon Rogan’ For An Exceptional Value Lunch
It’s no coincidence that the standard of dining in Manchester improved the moment Simon Rogan arrived. His restaurant The French in the Midland Hotel is producing the best food in the city, which has forced others to up…
The Alchemist, Spinningfields Relaunches & DOUBLES In Size!
I was surprised to receive an invite to the ‘reopening’ of The Alchemist in Spinningfields recently. I didn’t even know it had closed, much less that it was to reopen double its size and with a full food menu. Probably…
Levanter Fine Foods – Beautiful Spanish Tapas In…. Ramsbottom?!
Despite being a lover of Spanish food it’s not a cuisine I often eat outside of Spain. Mainly because most of our restaurants are usually full of the same old clichéd dishes that are inevitably never as good as the real…
Finally Back To The Farmers Arms, Bolton
If only there were more days in the week, or at least a few more hours in the day. I’d almost certainly visit The Farmers Arms more often. It’s somewhere I never get bored of going back to but just don’t seem to find…
Thailand Cafe, Bolton – As Recommended by MasterChef’s John Torode
If you asked 100 foodies to guess where MasterChef judge and well known lover of Asian food John Torode ate the ‘best Thai food outside of Thailand’, chances are precisely none of them would’ve said Bolton. “Hand on…
Chicken Soup for the Soul – Balabusta Delight
Of the almost 20 supper clubs I attended last year, one of my favourites was ‘Chicken Soup For The Soul‘. An Israeli/Middle Eastern inspired feast cooked up by Sue Waxman at her Prestwich home. When she announced her…
Van Zeller, Harrogate – Award Winning Fine-Dining
Ask anybody who’s into food for dining recommendations in Harrogate and the answer almost always includes Van Zeller. A partnership between David Moore – who has two Michelin stars from London restaurants Pied à Terre…
