Sharing a love of good food - recipes from my kitchen - eating out - great producers & suppliers
At The Stafford Arms in the pretty Staffordshire Moorlands village of Bagnall, I found solid cooking and a friendly welcome. After a major renovation and extension, diners can choose from cosy traditional pub surroundings or a modern restaurant feel. The Stafford Arms, on Bagnall …Read more
The Red Lion in Bradley, south west of Stafford, has been beautifully renovated and offers a mix of well made pub classics alongside accomplished modern British cooking. When I visited recently it was clear to see why it’s recently earned a place in the Michelin …Read more
Whether you consider yourself an old hand dining in British Chinese restaurants, or perhaps you’re looking for something a little different, I think you’ll like Yu-Ma-Mi. With its blend of traditional and modern, the well known and the unfamiliar, there’s lots to enjoy and discover – …Read more
My introduction to this beautifully renovated country pub near Stone in Staffordshire was a top-notch lunch with, as the star of the show, an unexpectedly impressive – and enormous – pork chop. Combining traditional with modern in both character and its food offering, The Fitzherbert …Read more
I’ve been going to north and mid wales for almost thirty years, and to Anglesey for the last six. I fell for this fabulous island straight away and, recently returned from our latest stay in Rhosneigr, in this post I share some of the great …Read more
At this four-star, family-run hotel set in rural Staffordshire, I found solid modern British cooking using local and seasonal ingredients in an impressive, 14th century moated manor house. My first visit to The Moat House Acton Trussell was in 2017 as a guest at a …Read more
I had a cracking meal at Denstone Hall’s Taste of Spring dinner last night. Understandably best known for their award winning farm shop and daytime café, Denstone Hall also opens up for the occasional evening event. Back in September last year, myself and partner ID …Read more
I’d been hearing some very good things about the food served up at this 17th century inn on the border of Staffordshire and Shropshire, reopened under new ownership a little over two years ago. On my first visit to The White Lion one Spring evening …Read more
It’d been a while since I last had dinner at this country inn on the edge of the Staffordshire Peak District. But I was pleased to discover that the kitchen still turns out an excellent standard of cooking, using great local and seasonal ingredients. …Read more
I’ve often holidayed in Northumberland over the years. I love its big, beautiful coastline, huge beaches, famous castles, charming towns, wildlife and, of course, its food. Recently back from a week’s stay, in this post I share some of the food I enjoyed during our …Read more
I’ve lost count of the number of times we’ve eaten at The Lazy Trout in the village of Meerbook since moving to the Staffordshire Moorlands in 2013. Whether it’s just for a pint from their fine collection of real ales, a quick lunch after walking …Read more
I knew I had to eat at Little Seeds Bar & Kitchen in Stone when a series of delicious-looking dishes kept popping up in my social media feeds. Run by co-owners Jake Lowndes, who’s also Head Chef, and General Manager Sophie Hardman, Little Seeds describes …Read more
I wasn’t planning on writing a review of Leek’s latest restaurant and bar, Bread + Batter, just yet. After all, when I went there for lunch, they’d only been open four days so it seemed fairer to let them settle in a bit. Even the …Read more
I was quite surprised when I received a tip-off about how good the food was at The Duncombe Arms in Ellastone. Because I hadn’t even heard of this country pub before. Perhaps it had escaped my notice because, with the nearby market town of Ashbourne …Read more
We’d been meaning to lunch at the Plume of Feathers for a while before we actually got around to it. We really had no excuse as, located in the village of Barlaston near Stone in Staffordshire, it’s not far from Downs Banks which is one …Read more
If you’re looking for a quality dining experience in Staffordshire and search online for David’s Brasserie, you might conclude, with its location including the words ‘Shopping Village’ and ‘Stoke-on-Trent’ that this really isn’t for you. But I think you’d be wrong. Because David’s Brasserie isn’t …Read more
One day last week I had the best brunch I can remember in a while. Leftover pizza. Yes, you read that right. After a bracing walk with the dog, a chill in the air with expected snow to come, it was with great pleasure that …Read more
We’d been bowled over by our last visit to the Lighthouse Restaurant in Boylestone, Derbyshire and wondered exactly why we’d left it so long between previous visits. Admittedly, it’s a 45-minute drive each way from the Staffordshire Moorlands where we live but if you’d read …Read more
Qarma Tandoori, situated in Leek in the Staffordshire Moorlands, offers a winning combination. British Indian restaurant classics plus less familiar and more innovative dishes. On my first visit I was impressed by the excellent quality and well-judged spicing. QARMA TANDOORI Before moving to the …Read more
If you’ve never been to Getliffe’s Yard in Leek, then you’re missing a real treat. Through a little archway just off Derby Street, not far from where it meets the imposing Nicholson War Memorial, you could perhaps be forgiven for not even noticing it’s there. But this treasure …Read more
I’d been meaning to try RAWR Café Bar & Kitchen in Hanley for a while now, spurred on by their delicious-sounding, fresh-looking dishes that keep popping up on my Facebook page. One recent Saturday, we’d a few hours to spare after dropping the dog off for a …Read more
It was fitting that we ate this particular tasting menu at The Lighthouse Restaurant on the last official day of summer, the eve of the Autumnal Equinox, as the theme of the menu was ‘late summer’. Although we’ve eaten at this very well-regarded restaurant in the …Read more
Denstone Hall is an award-winning farm shop and café on the border of Staffordshire and Derbyshire, set on a family-run farm. I was aware of their wonderful farm shop with its array of local produce – including groceries, cheeses, fresh vegetables as well as a stunning deli and a butcher’s …Read more
During a recent long weekend staying with friends in Hampshire, we were taken for Sunday lunch to the Red Lion, a stunning 15th century pub at Boldre in the New Forest. The Red Lion is rightly proud of its use of local suppliers & seasonal …Read more
It’s great when you share something you love and find that others love it too. Which I guess is the main aim of this Moorlands Eater blog. But it was with a little trepidation that we introduced some friends to So Thai in Leek when we …Read more