He Says She Waffles

We found this adorable waffle house on our first trip to Cirencester in 2012. Louie had a case of the chicken pox which cut our trip short, otherwise I think we would have returned to the restaurant again!! Last year, we didn't make it but this year we went out of our way to have lunch at this amazing eatery.

With brilliant branding, it is laid back and very cool. But the waffles, oh the waffles. They are light and fluffy and in so many combinations! Dan went for smoked salmon and cream cheese, bacon and maple syrup for me and then nutella and ice cream for the bee. Perfection in a brunch, trust me!

Deli Flavours, Leicester

Opened in the beautifully refurbished Silver Arcade, Deli Flavours is easily our new favourite hang out.
Stocking a huge array of artisan eats including organic passata and sauces, pasta, olives, local cheeses and cured meats, it is the perfect place to go for that special something for your meals.

Deli Flavours serve a quirky range of loose leaf teas, fantastic coffees and the food is just phenomenal. The Mexican toasted wrap is an easy winner for me, loaded with yumminess. The Oak Smoked Cheddar Ploughmans is also highly recommended!

Bloom

Can you smell it? The warm and familiar smell of freshly baked bread with a thick, golden crust. 

York by Food

The weekend after Dan and I got married, we zipped up the motorway to our favourite city. York.

A delightful stay in a nearby castle (yes, CASTLE!) and two full days wandering this beautiful city. We may have eaten at Betty's twice, but one of the highlights was our dinner at Jamie's Italian.

At Betty's world famous Tea Rooms we indulged. Rose China Tea for me. Pricey but well worth it, absolutely divine. Dan had a pot of English Breakfast and loved his Eggs Benedict. I think the Full English Breakfast was the best I have ever eaten.

For our evening meal, we spotted a Jamie's Italian. We have always fancied going to one of Jamie's restaurants but have never really been in the vicinity of one to take advantage. Down in the vaults of Lendal, Jamie's Italian York has a beautiful atmosphere inside and out.
We were pleasantly surprised at just how amazing the whole experience was. The waiter suggested a homemade cola in opposition to the Coke Dan ordered and my were we grateful, it beat a regular coke hands down every time. We skipped the starters and deserts as we needed to eat but we weren't starving hungry. Dan went for the seafood spaghetti which he tells me was absolutely superb. I chose a smaller portion (I wish more places offered this!) of the Sausage Paparadelle and it was completely faultless. I think we both wished that we could have had room for a desert as they sounded and looked amazing.

Mediterranean Sunday Roast

Firstly let me apologise for the unintended hiatus! I have been a wee bit busy getting married, I think I can be forgiven!

Today has been the perfect blend of relaxing and doing. A walk in the countryside followed by an afternoon in the kitchen cooking up a Sunday Roast. 

In the UK, the Sunday Roast is an institution. A weekly ritual. A tradition our home celebrates each week. Ham, Chicken or Beef oven roasted with all of the trimmings. Roast spuds, carrots, seasonal veg. Stuffing? Yorkshire puds? 

This week we went for a one pot, Mediterranean twist. 

Lemon and Thyme stuffed chicken. Rubbed with butter and drizzled with lemon juice. Copious amounts of sea salt and cracked black pepper.

Quartered potatoes went in first, followed by the carrots, then the onions and peppers. Each given their time to soak up the delicious juices and fat from the chicken.

 Be-aut-i-ful. 

Always a pudding. It isn't a Sunday Dinner without a pudding. Todays pud was a homemade Tiramisu. Chocolate Fingerettes soaked in home brewed espresso and layered with laced mascarpone. Such an incredible desert, put together in minutes. Perfection.

Tapas

I have been lusting over the amazing meal that Becka and I enjoyed at the Cosy Club so much that I decided to recreate some dishes myself. Chorizo cooked in rosé wine and garlic sautéed mushrooms with ciabatta and sundried tomatoes.
To say that I used to despise tapas... it is now one of our favourite meals!

Hen Do

Last weekend was my hen do. A secret that took months to plan, all behind my back. Becka, my dear bridesmaid baked canapés consisting of mushroom vol-au-vants, goats cheese tarts and mini honeycomb muffins served with pink lemonade.

Afternoon tea served at Stapleford Park, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire.
Rose tea, finger sandwiches, warm scones with clotted cream and strawberry compote and a range of petit four. Pistachio macaron, carrot cake, chocolate torte and raspberry custard tart.