Sharing a love of good food - recipes from my kitchen - eating out - great producers & suppliers
The Restaurant at Hotel Rudyard, like the rest of the business, has recently undergone a major refurbishment inside and out, with its food offering now including quality local suppliers. Returning after many years away, I was pleased to discover that the current management seem set …Read more
I’d love to be able to write full blog reviews of all my eating out recommendations. But, timewise, it’s not possible. So, here’s the latest of my occasional round-up posts featuring some of the independent cafes, pubs, and restaurants I’ve enjoyed recently. Among these highlights from …Read more
The Grosvenor Restaurant in the Staffordshire Moorlands offers a winning combination of popular favourites plus imaginative dishes in a modern British fine dining style. Located in Hales Hall, a restored Grade II listed country house, rather unusually it sits in the grounds of a caravan …Read more
I’d love to be able to write full blog reviews of all my eating out recommendations. But, timewise, it’s not possible. So, here’s the latest of my occasional round-up posts featuring some of the independent cafes, pubs, restaurants, and takeaways I’ve enjoyed recently. Among this …Read more
Filipino street food has come to north Staffordshire. Popular country inn and spa The Three Horseshoes is currently serving up a range of tasty plates created by their team of Filipino chefs. Choose one of six dishes to enjoy as a starter, three as a …Read more
The Saturday Lunch Train on the Churnet Valley Railway is an experience not to be missed. In this post I tell you all about my recent trip and why I highly recommend it. Whether you’re a rail enthusiast or just want to step back into …Read more
The Plumicorn is a fine dining but relaxed restaurant at the luxury Tawny Hotel in north Staffordshire. I went along to try their ‘Taste of The Tawny’ menu and enjoyed six faultless courses in the beautiful surroundings of the Consall Hall Estate. THE PLUMICORN …Read more
Duck Goose is the newest independent eatery in the Staffordshire Moorlands town of Leek. Styling itself as a bistro rather than restaurant, Duck Goose offers a small but regularly changing menu of familiar dishes that are big on quality and flavour. I ate dinner there …Read more
It’s not surprising that The Flintlock at Cheddleton in the Staffordshire Moorlands was recently awarded 2 AA Rosettes. Because my local restaurant just gets better and better. I ate their latest tasting menu last night and couldn’t fault a thing. With punchy flavours, great attention …Read more
Dinner at The Three Horseshoes, on the edge of the Staffordshire Peak District, is a regular treat for me. Follow me on social media and you’ll often see their excellent cooking popping up. But, after another great experience, I thought this country inn with its …Read more
My eating out highlights for September-October 2021 is the latest in a series of occasional posts bringing together some of the great food and drink I’ve enjoyed recently. I’d love to be able to write full blog reviews for all of them. But I’d have …Read more
The Butcher’s Arms in Forsbrook recently invited me to sample its food. My only regret is that I hadn’t eaten there sooner. Set in the Staffordshire Moorlands, this taphouse from Joule’s brewery is no gastropub. But what you will get is food like steak and …Read more
The Flintlock at Cheddleton aims to bring relaxed fine dining with an emphasis on local, seasonal produce to this Staffordshire Moorlands village. Opened just over a week ago in the building that was formerly Castro’s, I paid my first visit last weekend. And from what …Read more
The Black Lion Inn, Butterton was my choice for a first visit INSIDE a pub since lockdown. With quality food and drink, lunch at this recently renovated Staffordshire Moorlands Peak District pub turned out to be a wise decision. I can hardly believe it, but …Read more
Yesterday, I had my first meal out since lockdown. For this notable occasion, I headed to an old favourite: The Lazy Trout pub in Meerbrook. Set in the beautiful Staffordshire Moorlands countryside and serving outstanding food and drink, what better place could there be? …Read more
The Jervis Arms is set in the beautiful Staffordshire Moorlands Peak District, in the village of Onecote. This characterful country pub offers a warm welcome and good quality cooking. There’s a wide choice of hearty pub favourites as well as something a little different. GO …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
Troutsdale Farm is a family-run farm set in the beautiful Staffordshire Moorlands Peak District. In this post I want to tell you about their flock of traditional Shropshire Breed sheep and the superb lamb they produce. Slow reared, grass fed and with full traceability this …Read more
Stuffed Breast of Lamb, filled with feta, red pepper and mint, turns an underused cut of meat into a delicious treat. I think it’s about time economical and tasty breast of lamb starting appearing on more tables. And this magnificent slow roasted dish might just …Read more
Kleftiko is a traditional and delicious Greek lamb dish. Marinated overnight then slow-cooked, the lamb is fabulously moist and tender. Cook potatoes underneath the lamb and you’ll get the best roast potatoes ever. And the great news is, kleftiko is dead easy to make as …Read more
Succulent and spicy, these Harissa Lamb Chops are a real feast. Marinaded in my easy Harissa Dressing and then fast roasted or grilled, the chops stay tender within but with a charred, caramelized exterior. For extra spice, serve with harissa spiked yogurt. CAN …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 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
Staffordshire Savoury Scotch Eggs are a superior Scotch egg, made in a huge variety of flavours. Produced by a family run business that started at the kitchen table, I recently put a range of their Savoury eggs to the test. Can the classic Scotch egg …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