Sharing a love of good food - recipes from my kitchen - eating out - great producers & suppliers
Thalii in Stoke-on-Trent offers a way of eating that may be new even to diners who consider themselves old hands in British Indian restaurants. That’s because they specialize in serving tapas sized dishes on a traditional Indian thali tray. On my first visit I loved …Read more
Eden in Lichfield has completed its transformation under new owners with its recent ditching of the old Olive Tree name. Last week, I returned to see if the revamped restaurant was continuing to produce the great dishes I’d enjoyed on my first visit. It’s not …Read more
I ate my first Tibetan food recently, at Four Friends restaurant in Congleton, Cheshire, and loved it. Including beef momo dumplings, chicken curry, noodles and more, we enjoyed it so much we even ordered seconds! As well as being delicious, Four Friends is excellent value …Read more
Hawasana must be one of Stoke on Trent’s best kept secrets. I’d never heard of this Afghan restaurant until a follower of my Facebook page sent me a message suggesting I try it. “It isn’t the poshest place you’ll ever go to”, she said, “but …Read more
Being a new-ish migrant to Staffordshire, and based in the north of the county, I’ve only recently started to scratch the surface of what Lichfield, an hour’s drive away, has to offer. The city, which I think feels more like a thriving market town (that’s …Read more
After hearing mixed feedback about newcomer The Old Mill Smokehouse & Craft Ale Bar in Leek, I’d held back a little longer than usual before visiting and writing a review. However, after stopping by for a quick and satisfying lunch recently, I’ll be returning to …Read more
On a return visit to Yu-Ma-Mi, Stoke-on-Trent’s fine dining Chinese restaurant based in Trent Vale, I once again found top notch cooking. Combining traditional and modern, old favourites and some less familiar, authentic Chinese dishes including dim sum, Yu-Ma-Mi is a great addition to the …Read more
After too long away, I recently paid a return visit to Little Seeds Bar & Kitchen in Stone, Staffordshire. Tempted by their New Orleans Tasting Menu, I enjoyed an evening of delicious food. I’m always on the look out for new eating experiences, whether newly …Read more
The George at Alstonefield, on the border of Staffordshire and Derbyshire looks like the quintessential country pub. Inside I found top notch modern and creative British cooking featuring local and seasonal ingredients. Highly recommended. THE GEORGE AT ALSTONEFIELD My first attempt eating at The …Read more
Opened less than three months ago, Larder is set to be one of Lichfield’s top spots for foodies. On my first visit to this relaxed restaurant, I loved the bold flavours showcased in their imaginative, seven-course tasting menu. LICHFIELD From where I live in …Read more
Smoke & Rye restaurant and bar is a meat lover’s paradise. Serving up authentic, American classics like pulled pork, burgers and dogs, ribs and aged steaks, this is bold food. On my first visit, the place was packed. Read on to find out why. I’d …Read more
The Slamwich Club in Stoke-on-Trent has a new fan in Moorlands Eater. Not that they need me. Since opening in May this year they’ve quickly become one of Hanley’s favourite bars and restaurants. On my first visit I found out exactly why. THE CULTURAL …Read more
At The Boat Inn, Lichfield we found a well balanced tasting menu full of interest and with excellent cooking. It was a rather gloomy evening when myself and partner ID (also my photographer for the night) set out for The Boat Inn, near Muckley Corner, …Read more
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
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
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
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