When you think of sensual experiences, porridge might not be the first thing that comes to mind, unless it involves nudity and spatula. But that might change when you try Rude Health’s Valentine’s porridge recipes.
Vagabond wines – a taster or a glass?
Together with a select group of food and drink writers I was invited recently to Vagabond Wines to sample some of the wines that owner, Stephen Finch, considered particularly special among those he has on sale at this unique, perhaps groundbreaking shop.
Great British Eatery, Broadway Plaza, Birmingham
It may have been allegedly replaced in the nation’s affections by curry, but a well made portion of fish and chips still has the power to delight the discerning diner. Marcus Sedghi, a Birmingham boy, loves his local chippy and not just because it’s licensed either
Valentine’s Day wines for around £6 a bottle
With Valentine ’s Day fast approaching you might be looking for a nice bottle of bubbly or something pink and lovely to share with your loved one on the day itself, or over the weekend that runs up to it. We tasted four wines, all at around the £6 mark, that might be just what you are looking for.
Savour St. Valentine’s from the Comfort of Your Home
There is another option to booking an expensive restaurant carte this Valentine’s day: learn to cook a delicious and romantic three act supper for your partner with School of Food, the fresh, new cookery which comes direct to your home kitchen.
Heston Blumenthal’s Dinner
The atmosphere is most unusual – part gustatory and part celebratory. A homecoming parade for the nation’s favourite bald chef. The first week at Dinner is a restaurant opening of a kind that’s never been seen before. Everyone wants to love it, and it seems that everyone totally does as there’s not a dry seat in the house. Not to be outdone Nick Harman also discovers that Heston Blumenthal’s Dinner is just his cup of tea.
Ghillie and Glen Smoked Salmon
The Ghillie and Glen range is smoked in Scotland by expert salmon smokers who have spent years perfecting the art. Established over 30 years ago, Ghillie & Glen has a rich heritage and is named after one of Scotland’s oldest type of smokehouses. Thoroughly embedded in Scotland’s history, smoking was once used as a food preservation method. Traditionally Scottish estates had their own smokehouse, smoking a wide range of food from both land and sea and the Ghillie looked after the estate and its lochs.
Barbecoa London
Barbecoa, the restaurant Jamie Oliver opened in London with Adam Perry Lang, has been on the receiving end of a fair bit of critical flak since it opened yet it’s far from destroyed. On a sunny lunchtime with a hint of spring in the air, the sun blasting through the high windows and City people packing tables and tucking into attractive looking food, it seems a winner.
Catalan Cooking with CodornÃÂu
A London café specialising in sweet treats was transformed into a Catalan home kitchen for one night only. Courtesy of Cava producer, Codorníu, ‘Bea’s of Bloomsbury’ was decorated with Bacchanalia.
Byron Hamburgers
I liked Byron a lot despite my burger prejudices. From what I’ve seen they make each outlet appropriate to the building it’s in and don’t enforce homogeneity. The meat is well sourced and, I suspect, normally correctly cooked too. The idea that good burgers can be found in normal places with professional service, pricing and consistent quality may be anathema to the burger bloggers but Byron is a chain I can’t see breaking anytime soon