Restaurant review: Townhouse, Bristol.

Yesterday was my second visit to Townhouse on the Whiteladies Road. Once again the standard of food served was so high that I felt it was now necessary to write a review on it.

The front view of the restaurant.
 

Yesterday we went to Townhouse for brunch to celebrate a friends birthday. We had already looked at the menu online which looked amazing, however we were disappointed to find that half the online menu was not on the restaurant menu. Never-the-less, when we ordered out food this proved not to be an issue at all- everything was incredible. I went for a muffin with 2 poached eggs, large roasted field mushrooms and roasted tomato. Everything was cooked to perfection and it tasted delicious.

Poached eggs on a muffin with mushrooms and tomato.



Dishes other friends had included Eggs Royale, Sausage Sandwich, Eggs Benedict and Fried egg with bacon and toast. The staff were very friendly and helpful, and really went out of their way to make us feel welcome without being intrusive.

All the girls at Brunch.

My visit to Townhouse prior to this one had also been equally as incredible. I went for one of my housemates birthdays along with his parents and a few other friends. We got there for 6:45 so we could make the 3 courses for £10 deal that Townhouse have on every weekday evening before 7pm.
Normally with these sorts of deals they often want you to have eaten and left the restaurant by 7pm, and the portion sizes tend to be small. Neither of these issues were the case at Townhouse. The menu was very extensive with good sized portions, and we were able to stay for as long as we wanted.
I ordered scallops in a creamy sauce with bacon to start, moules-frites for main, followed by a delicious apple and blackberry crumble to complete it off (not to mention the birthday cake that followed that.) It is fair to say by the end of the night I was VERY full.

The delicious apple and blackberry crumble I had.
 

All in all I have been thoroughly impressed by both my visits to Townhouse recently. Not only has the food been delicious and great value for money, but also the staff have been very friendly which really makes such a difference. I will be back!

MM xx

Cauliflower Crust Pizza Recipe

This is a recipe taken from the Deliciously Ella website (it's incredible-click here for those that have not seen it!). I have to say I was hesitant before I made it as I wasn't sure how a pizza base made of cauliflower would taste, however I was pleasantly surprised.

Cauliflower Crust Pizza with Goats Cheese, Parma Ham and Spinach.

 

 Ingredients (for 1 pizza- I did double this recipe):

- 1 cauliflower

- 1 cup of brown rice or buckwheat flour

- 1/4 of a cup of ice cold water

- 1 tablespoon of tamari

- 1 lemon

- dried oregano

- dried basil

- salt

 

For the Topping:

This is completely up to you. I used Goats Cheese (as my house mate is non-dairy and so cannot have cows milk), Parma Ham and Spinach. Deliciously Ella recommends sliced tomatoes, sweet corn, mushrooms and basil leaves. Ensure that you always used tomato puree for the base.  

 

Method:

Place the cauliflower in a food processor and blend until a flour like substance forms, this should take about a minute. Add this to a mixing bowl with the brown rice flour, lemon, tamari salt and dried herbs. Mix these ingredients well before slowing pouring in the ice cold water. Use your hands to combine the water with the flour, making a sticky dough.

Line the base of a pizza dish with a generous amount of olive oil and a sprinkling of flour before evenly spreading the dough out over it. (if you don’t have a pizza dish simply use a baking tray and mould the shape accordingly)

Bake in a 200C oven for about 20-30 minutes, if you’re not using a pizza dish then you may also want to flip the base over half way through. Once the base is firm and ever-so-slightly crispy remove it from the oven and add the tomato puree and then your other toppings, before baking again for another 5-10 minutes.

Remove from the oven, sprinkle with salt and pepper, slice and serve.

 

This really is a surprisingly delicious pizza- especially for those that are gluten free like my house mate. I definitely recommend cooking the base until you feel it is sufficiently crispy as you don't want a soggy bottom. Enjoy, and I would love to see any pictures of the completed pizzas once you have made them!

 

MM xx

Restaurant Review: Moreish, Bristol

There is often very little to do in Bristol at the weekends, so I tend to take up my Saturday and Sunday mornings trying all the different brunch places Bristol has to offer (see previous review of Deco Lounge). Yesterday I went with 3 friends to test out Moreish which is located on 6 Chandos Road in Redlands (the heart of where Bristol University student's live in 2nd year.) There was a wide selection on the menu, and prices were actually very reasonable. I went for a delicious portion of french toast with maple syrup and banana. The french toast was thick and crispy, yet still light and not stodgy. There was just the right ratio of maple syrup and banana also. 

My delicious french toast- £4.95!

Outside view of Moreish.

Two of my friends went for the Eggs Benedict (a delicious combination of thick cut toast, two poached eggs, parma ham and plenty of hollandaise sauce), whilst another friend had some incredible looking pancakes (Crêpe not American style) with maple syrup and multiple rashers of bacon. 
Other options on the menu included a full english (and a vegetarian one), Eggs Florentine and Eggs Royale, and homemade granola with natural yoghurt and honey. 
Moreish is not only a brunch place- it offers a good lunch menu (with a wonderful build your own sandwich deal), tapas deals from Monday to Thursday, and a wonderful dinner menu. They are currently taking bookings for Christmas and have a great Christmas menu on offer, and trust me this is somewhere that you want to book in advance for!

Here is a link to their website. So, if you are in or around Bristol I highly recommend paying Moreish a visit. And those students that are on a budget, Moreish is a great place to bring the parents too!  

MM xx

Yume Kitchen Bristol - Restaurant Review

I must admit, it has been a rather long time since my last blog post- not only has University work taken over my life slightly, but I also thought it's not very interesting for you to read about what life is like in the University of Bristol Geography Library!However, yesterday I went out for supper with a friend to Yume Kitchen (which means 'Dream Kitchen' in Japanese), which is based in the Clifton Down area of Bristol. We had our eye on the restaurant for a while, and we finally decided that we needed a little extravagance in our lives and so decided to make the trip!The restaurant itself is rather small, however whenever I walk past I have never seen it completely jammed packed, so I would say there is no need to book (this is not however a reflection of poor quality food as you are about to hear). The menu has a huge variety, and we both thought that prices were rather good, especially when you compare it to any sushi restaurants you would visit it London such as Nobu or Sushi Samba. I decided to go for a takeaway box (even though I ate in) of mixed fish sushi. This was mainly because I was craving the seaweed and edamame beans that came with this box and doesn't come when ordering from the restaurant menu. I have to say even though not made there on the spot for me the assorted fish rolls were just delicious and really hit the spot. My friend Niamh went for the salmon and tuna nigiri (5 pieces) and the fish maki (12 small pieces). I have to say I did have a bit of food envy as hers did look incredible, and especially as it was made fresh to order for her. She also had a green tea to accompany this, and her bill only came to £11- for the hardcore sushi lovers amongst you will realise she got quite a good deal!

Niamh with her Maki and Nigiri

Close up of the delicious sushi!

Sushi was not the only thing Yume Kitchen had to offer on the menu- there is also plenty of hot dishes from curries to noodles, as well as multiple different side dishes, drinks and desserts. Unlike many of the cafes/ restaurants in Cotham, Yume Kitchen is open both through out the day and the night, therefore there is no excuse not to check it out. I am already looking forward to my next visit...though I am not sure I will branch away from the sushi on the menu, its was just too delicious! 

Here is the link to their website - pop in and give it a try!

MM xx

Spa/Restaurant Review of the Lido, Bristol

After a delicious brunch at Deco Lounge (see my previous post) we continued my friends birthday celebrations by treating ourselves and heading to the spa and restaurant the Lido in Bristol. Having been voted 'UK Best Restaurant' runner up in the Observer Food Monthly Awards we were expecting great things- and by no means were we disappointed. 

  When we arrived three of my friends headed to the spa, whilst myself and another friend headed  to test out the award winning restaurant. Due to having just consumed a very large brunch neither of us were therefore very hungry, and so we decided to stick to the tapas menu. I ordered a glass of the house red wine, and then between us went for some delicious giant marinated olives, Spanish tortilla and some deep friend tiger prawns with sweet harissa. Due to so many tempting things on the menu we couldn't resist then going on to order some patatas bravas and a quince tart even though we were both incredibly stuffed already. When our friends emerged from their swim they ordered bread and oil, a charcuterie board and some delicious looking pineapple and cucumber coolers.

A selection of the food we ordered

Delicious Quince Tart

The extensive tapas menu

                                     
  The Restaurant, which covered two levels was in prime location overlooking the outdoor pool of the spa. Those that swam were very positive about the spa itself, saying there was a great sauna, steam room and jacuzzi on offer. The only negative comments they had was that they found the outdoor pool itself slightly cold, and that the main changing rooms were outside and so therefore getting changed in the middle of winter wasn't the nicest experience! There were indoor changing rooms, however there was a lack of benches to put clothes on when you were changing so instead they would get wet on the floor. Building works are currently underway to create an end of pool terrace which will further extend the cafe/restaurant area for guests.

The view of the pool from the restaurant

                                                                         

All in all we came out of the Lido feeling very happy and refreshed. If you want a true spa experience then this may not be the best of places for you, and you may be better of travelling further afield to Thermae Bath Spa in (unsurprisingly)Bath! However, if you fancy mixing swimming with a relaxing cup of tea and cake from the cafe, or a delicious meal in a top notch restaurant then the Lido is really what you are looking for. I look forward to my return trip!

MM xx

Cafe Review - Deco Lounge, Bristol.

Pancakes. Ultimately one of the greatest food creations ever invented. My friends and I are obsessed with them, and so when the opportunity arose to organise a birthday brunch for a friend we were all on full internet menu browsing alert to try and find somewhere original in Bristol to test out some pancakes. Luckily, one very clever friend suggested Deco Lounge, a new cafe/bar that recently opened on Cotham Hill- a conveniently short walk from the University Campus.

Deco Lounge on Cotham Hill

It took all of us an entire 10 seconds to eye up the menu before knowing exactly what to order- of course the 'Triple-stacked buttermilk pancakes with sliced banana, blueberries, peach sauce and crème fraîche.' We could also go for pancakes with bacon and maple syrup (although all 8 of us that got the pancakes went for the banana option!) THEY WERE DELICIOUS. Just the right ratio of sauce to fruit to pancake, and enough to make you feel pleasantly full but not stuffed. 

The Delicious Pancake Stack

The rest of the menu looked incredible, so I will definitely be returning to Deco Lounge again to not only test out some other brunch options, but also to sample the rest of their extensive menu. It ranges from ciabatta sandwiches, to hot dogs, to burgers, to tapas and a fantastic pudding selection.

Deco Lounge is part of a large chain of 'Lounges' that was established by a trio of friends in 2002. The first was opened in an empty opticians in Bedminster, and it has been expanding ever since. The aim of the Lounges is to create a relaxed and friendly environment where family, friends and locals can meet for a coffee, a drink or something to eat. 

The interior was really fun (and rather eccentric!) and I liked they little touch of providing boardgames that were available for people to play with- such a great idea.

So, a trip to a 'Lounge' is hugely recommended- you know what I would advise you to order, however for those of you that are not such avid pancake fans as myself then there is a huge selection of other delicious looking things on the menu to go for....Enjoy! 

Here is their website: www.thelounges.co.uk

MM xx

Cocoa Nibs - what are they?

Today I jumped on to the very expensive craze and bought some cocoa nibs. I kept seeing this ingredient written all over health blogs or instagram posts and wondered why people saw it as such a fantastic ingredient....but now I understand why and so I'm going to share this new found knowledge with you!

Cocoa nibs

The coca nibs I purchased today!

So, what exactly are cocoa nibs?

Cocoa nibs are cocoa beans that have been roasted, separated from their husks, and then broken into smaller pieces. The breaking up and de-shelling of the beans is done by a winnower. Some of these nibs are then sold separately, often to specialist health food stores, but most are ground up and then made into a thick creamy paste known as chocolate liquor. This 'liquor' is then mixed with cocoa butter and sugar to form the chocolate that you or I would see in the supermarket (the likes of Hershey's, Cadbury and Galaxy.) The reason the everyday supermarket is so much cheaper than cocoa nibs is because we have added so many other cheaper products too it, and so the actual cocoa content is low.

What are some of the health benefits of cocoa nibs?

• Cocoa beans contain a huge amount of magnesium- with 272 milligrams per 100 grams. We need magnesium to carry out more than 300 biochemical reactions in our bodies!
• Cocoa nibs contain fibre (once ounce has 9 grams), however you don't get any fibre from a supermarket chocolate bar.
• Cocoa beans, especially when eaten raw, contain huge amounts of antioxidants. Any body that studied biology A Level should know the importance of antioxidants in absorbing free radicals that cause damage in the body!
• Theobromine makes up 2 percent of the cocoa bean. This is a nervous stimulant that dilates the blood vessels (similar to coffee), and therefore eating cocoa nibs has been linked to cardiovascular health benefits. It must be noted that these benefits are only referred to in raw chocolate, and not in dark or milk chocolate as such benefits are reduced during the cooking and alkalising process. 

What can I use cocoa nibs in?

The use of cocoa nibs as an ingredient is well on the rise, and here are some of my favourite recipes using cocoa nibs from some of the blogs I follow: 

• Cocoa, Banana and Avocado Smoothie - Deliciously Ella
• Raw Cocoa and Walnut Truffle Bites - Deliciously Ella
• The Healthiest Chocolate Mousse - Deliciously Ella
• Raw Brownies - Deliciously Ella 
• Healthy Nutella - Madeline Shaw
• Valentines Raw Chocolate Love Hearts - Madeline Shaw
• Super Food Energy Bars with Cocoa - This Rawsome Vegan Life
• 
  

There we go - I hope you have enjoyed reading a bit about cocoa nibs, and I would love to see any finished products you make using them!

MM xx

Delicious Ginger Banana Cake with a Lemon Frosting

Delicious Ginger Banana Cake with a Lemon Frosting

My finished masterpiece...sort of!

Today I made this delicious ginger and banana cake which tastes so yummy i just had to share the recipe! The original version of the recipe can be found in the Australian Women's Weekly 'Cakes & Slices' Cookbook:

Ginger Banana Cake

• 90g butter
• 2 tablespoons of golden syrup
• 1/4 cup of caster sugar
• 1/4 brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 2/3 cup mashed bananas (I used 2)
• 1 1/2 cups of self-raising flour
• 1/2 teaspoons of bicarbonate of soda
• 2 teaspoons of ground ginger
• 1 tablespoon of milk

Lemon Frosting

• 2 tablespoons of lemon juice.
• 1 1/2 cups of icing sugar
• 30g of butter
• 1/4 cup of chopped glace ginger

1. Grease a 20cm ring pan and turn the oven on to 180°C.C
2. Cream the butter, sugars and golden syrup in a bowl with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
3. Add the egg, beat until combined, and then beat in the mashed bananas.
4. Stir in the sifted dry ingredients and milk. 
5. Pour the mixture into a prepared pan and cook in the oven for about 45 minutes.
6. Let it stand for five minutes before turning it out of the tin and leaving it on a wire rack to cool. 
7. For the lemon frosting combine the sifted icing sugar with butter and enough lemon juice to make it a spreadable consistency.
8. When the cake is cool spread on the icing sugar and then place the glace ginger on top.
9. Eat and ENJOY!

The Cotswolds

I have decided to write a post about the Cotswolds. Many people picture the little cottage from the film 'the Holiday' that Kate Winslet lives in when the Cotswolds are mentioned, but their knowledge of the area seems to only stretch to that!  I am always surprised by the number of people that don't know what, let alone where the Cotswolds are when I say thats where I'm from. I am often left with blank looks, or people just smile and nod as they are too embarrassed to admit their severe lack of geographical knowledge....so in a VERY brief rundown, and with many thanks to Wikipedia, here it goes:

The Cotswolds are a range of hills in southwestern and west-central England. They cover an area about 25 miles across and 90 miles long.

A map of the Cotswolds.

From the map you can see the area the Cotswolds cover in England- and I live roughly in between Chippenham and Tetbury.
The Cotswolds mainly lie within the counties of Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire, however it does extend into the counties of Wiltshire, Somerset, Worcestershire and Warwickshire.
In 1966 the Cotswolds were awarded an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The whole area is characterised by many of the buildings been built out of the attractive Cotswold stone (a yellow oolitic limestone) as seen below:

Typical Cotswold stone villages.

The beauty of the Cotswolds has meant that it has remained affluent and has attracted wealthy people who either own second homes in the area or have decided to retire there.

So...I hope you enjoyed the whistle stop tour of the area I live in, and hopefully now you will be slightly more clued up when somebody tells you they are from the Cotswolds....you may even be able to surprise them and recite them some facts about the area!

MM xx

Easy Chocolate Truffles

Today I made some delicious chocolate truffles for mum to take as a present to a dinner party she was going to (I find homemade presents will always beat anything shop bought.)

At first I was rather hesitant as this was my first attempt at making them, but I soon realised they were ridiculously easy to make!

Recipe:

25g butter

125ml of cream

140g of dark chocolate

1. melt the butter with the cream in a saucepan until it starts to simmer.

2. In a desperate bowl crush up the chocolate into small pieces.

3. Remove the cream and butter mix from the heat and pour it over the chocolate and stir until all the chocolate has melted into the mixture.

4. Allow this mixture to cool before placing it in the fridge for at least 4 hrs.

5. When the 4 hrs is up and the mixture looks sufficiently set remove it from the fridge and covering your hands in icing sugar to prevent sticking then scoop out balls of he chocolate mixture with a teaspoon and then roll them to get a small ball shape.  

6. You can then go on to roll this ball in cocoa powder, or you can branch out and roll it in mixed nuts, stem finger pieces, or for the very daring of you try chilli! 

7.  Place the truffles in small truffle cases place them in a nice looking box and taa daa you have a perfect present that anyone would love to receive! 

Here are some of mine I made- some are rolled in cocoa powder, and some in crushed almonds!

 

MM xx

An Introduction...

Hi! Right, before I start chatting about why I have started a blog I'm going to give you a whistle stop tour of who I am:
My name is Olivia (hence the title of this blog), however I only get called Olivia by my family and closest family friends- to everyone else I am known as Mini.
I live in the Cotswold's, in a small (yes VERY small) village called Alderton. By me and my elder sisters views we live in the middle of nowhere. Nowhere as in 20 minutes to the nearest town, and no takeaways will deliver to us as we are outside their delivery area. Realistically we are not too in the middle of nowhere I suppose....we are a 25 minute drive to Bristol, a 30 minute drive to Bath and I can get to London in a 2hr drive or a 1hr 15min train journey.
Currently I am a student at the University of Bristol (yes I decided to stay rather close to home) and I am in my second year studying Geography. I will be graduating (fingers crossed!) in 2015.
I have 2 sisters- one older and one younger. The younger is still at school having just started A levels, and the elder one is on her year abroad living in São Paulo working for the foreign office (and also writing a blog: Being a Brit in Brazil).
I decided to start a blog not only because it has been something I have wanted to do for a long time, but also because I felt I had a lot of free time at University and as my friends will know I'm not somebody who finds it easy to sit down and do nothing- so hopefully this will be a way of keeping entertained!
There is not something specific that I want to blog about, but instead I'm going to post about lifestyle in general- travel, fashion, health and topics of interest to me.
So, here it goes....and thank you for reading.

MM xx