AUSTRIA
BELGIUM
CANADA
CROATIA
Dubravka 1836, Dubrovnik
Lucin Kantun, Dubrovnik
CZECH
FRANCE
La Caleche, Aix-en-Provence
Maison Martin, Menton
GERMANY
HUNGARY
Budapest
INDONESIA
ITALY
Ventimiglia
MONACO
MOROCCO
NETHERLANDS
PORTUGAL
Pasteis de Belem, Lisbon
RUSSIA
Baklazhan, St Petersburg
Hermitage Palace, St Petersburg
Moscow Underground Metro Stations
SICILY
SLOVAKIA
SPAIN
El Quim, Barcelona
Gure Toki, Bilbao
La Paradeta, Barcelona
La Vina Del Ensanche, Bilbao
Le Cafe Metropol, Bilbao
Pintxos, San Sebastian
Udon, Maremagnum Barcelona
TURKEY
UK
CHESHIRE
Aspire Restaurant, Trafford College, Altrincham
Fox & Barrell, Cotebrook
Garden by Simon Radley, Chester
La Boheme, Lymm
Loch Fyne, Alderley Edge
ISLE OF WIGHT
Fine Nammet, Shanklin
LIVERPOOL
Jamie Oliver's Italian, Liverpool
MANCHESTER (GREATER MANCHESTER)
aBode, Manchester
aBode, Manchester
Almost Famous
Ash Tearooms, Stockport
Aubaine, Selfridges Manchester
Australasia, Manchester
CIBO, Didsbury
Cloud23, Hilton Manchester
Cote Brasserie, Manchester
Damson, Stockport (1)
Damson, Stockport (2)
French, Midland Hotel Manchester
Glasshouse, Salford City College
Harvey Nichols Brasserie, Manchester
Harvey Nichols Restaurant, Manchester
Harvey Nichols Restaurant, Manchester
Harvey Nichols Restaurant, Manchester (Afternoon Tea)
Hotspot Ess Paradies, Chorlton
Istanbul Grill, Cheadle Hulme
Jamie Oliver's, Manchester
Jasmine Cafe, Chorlton
Kantipur, Stockport
Las Iguanas, Trafford Centre
Leckenby's, Bury
Lime Tree, Didsbury
Lust, Luck, Liquor, Burn, Northern Quarter Manchester
Manchester House, Spinningfields
Moretti Gran Tour, a Regional Italian Street Food Festival
Mr Cooper's House and Garden (1), Midland Hotel Manchester
Mughli, Curry Mile Manchester
Namche Bazaar, Didsbury
Peachy Keens, Printworks Manchester
Radisson Blue, Manchester (Afternoon tea)
Red's True Barbecue, Manchester
Rose Garden, Didsbury (1)
Rose Garden, Didsbury (2)
Rose Garden, Didsbury (3)
San Carlo Farmacia Del Dolce @Selfridges, Manchester
Superstore, Northern Quarter Manchester
Tea42, Manchester
Teacup, Northern Quarter Manchester
Town Hall Tearooms, Manchester
Turtle Bay, Manchester
Vnam Cafe, Manchester
White Hart Brasserie, Lydgate - Oldham
White Hart Restaurant, Lydgate - Oldham
White Hart Resturnt, Lydgte - Oldham (Revisited)
Worsley Old Hall, Worsley
Yang Sing, Manchester
YORKSHIRE
Mirabelle, Harrogate
USA
Monday, 31 March 2014
Saturday, 29 March 2014
Lunch @Superstore, Northern Quarter Manchester
Time of visit: 4 February 2014
My first affair with Northern Quarter was click here. Ever since I have been to various places in the NQ area, mostly based on my daughter's recommendation. My latest visit up until now (March 2014) was here at Superstore, the only place I have ever seen roast bone marrow on the menu.
My daughter and I had 5 small plates, cost £20. All was delicious. The sticky pudding, though, could be better. It was too dry to my taste. The service and atmosphere were great.
My first affair with Northern Quarter was click here. Ever since I have been to various places in the NQ area, mostly based on my daughter's recommendation. My latest visit up until now (March 2014) was here at Superstore, the only place I have ever seen roast bone marrow on the menu.
My daughter and I had 5 small plates, cost £20. All was delicious. The sticky pudding, though, could be better. It was too dry to my taste. The service and atmosphere were great.
Not a very good looking place. But come inside...
Nice seatings.
Nice flowers.
Rooibos nut tea.
Bone marrow with garlic and toasted bread.
Curried chicken arancini with mint raita.
Squid with turmeric aioli.
Tuna ceviche & panco coated lamb with split peas.
Date sticky toffee pudding with ice cream.
Lunch @ Lust Luck Liquor & Burn, Northern Quarter Manchester.
Time of visit: September 2013
I didn't know much about Northern Quarter (NQ) until my daughter moved in to an apartment on High Street, NQ, about 1.5 years ago. On the day I helped her moving out-in, I saw a long queue in front of a building near her apartment. I wondered what those people -mostly young- queued for.
Few days later, my daughter told me that those people were queuing for burgers at Almost Famous. Pardon me? Burgers??? I was not into burger at that time. The thought of being in a long queue for a piece of patty between 2 pieces of buns failed to tempt me.
However, after my daughter told me again and again that the burger was so good, I started being curious. Nearly one year later I decided to have a go. Unfortunately, Almost Famous closed down due to a fire on the premises. Then I heard that Lust Luck Liquor & Burn, in the same area, served Almost Famous's burgers. So, one afternoon I asked my daughter to accompany me for my first affair with NQ and a burger, the first burger I ordered in a restaurant apart from BK &McD. You know what, I was hooked ever since! The burger was so delicious. I am declaring myself that I am now converted into a burgers eater.
I didn't know much about Northern Quarter (NQ) until my daughter moved in to an apartment on High Street, NQ, about 1.5 years ago. On the day I helped her moving out-in, I saw a long queue in front of a building near her apartment. I wondered what those people -mostly young- queued for.
Few days later, my daughter told me that those people were queuing for burgers at Almost Famous. Pardon me? Burgers??? I was not into burger at that time. The thought of being in a long queue for a piece of patty between 2 pieces of buns failed to tempt me.
However, after my daughter told me again and again that the burger was so good, I started being curious. Nearly one year later I decided to have a go. Unfortunately, Almost Famous closed down due to a fire on the premises. Then I heard that Lust Luck Liquor & Burn, in the same area, served Almost Famous's burgers. So, one afternoon I asked my daughter to accompany me for my first affair with NQ and a burger, the first burger I ordered in a restaurant apart from BK &McD. You know what, I was hooked ever since! The burger was so delicious. I am declaring myself that I am now converted into a burgers eater.
Seafood @La Paradeta, El Born, Barcelona
Time of visit: 22 March 2014
La Paradeta is a heaven for seafood lovers. The seafood are fresh, the price is relatively cheap. The place is far from posh, it is only a very simple cafe but it will make you smile, happy, satisfied (well, for us..).
You have to arrive there early, otherwise you will be trapped in a long queue. We arrived 30 minutes before it opened. Ten minutes later people came to queue behind us. By the time we left, the cafe was full and a queue outside was quite long.
You have to choose what seafood you want and tell them how you want them to be cooked (steam, fry or grill, with tomato sauce or garlic etc). Then order drinks, bread and sauce, and pay. Get a table and listen.. if your number (stated on the receipt) is called, you have to go to the kitchen window to pick up your order. If you order 8 different dishes, you will be called 8 times. So, listen carefully while eating :)
We loved this place. The food, the atmosphere, and the experience!
Dish 1 & 2: raw oysters and steamed sea snails.
La Paradeta is a heaven for seafood lovers. The seafood are fresh, the price is relatively cheap. The place is far from posh, it is only a very simple cafe but it will make you smile, happy, satisfied (well, for us..).
You have to arrive there early, otherwise you will be trapped in a long queue. We arrived 30 minutes before it opened. Ten minutes later people came to queue behind us. By the time we left, the cafe was full and a queue outside was quite long.
You have to choose what seafood you want and tell them how you want them to be cooked (steam, fry or grill, with tomato sauce or garlic etc). Then order drinks, bread and sauce, and pay. Get a table and listen.. if your number (stated on the receipt) is called, you have to go to the kitchen window to pick up your order. If you order 8 different dishes, you will be called 8 times. So, listen carefully while eating :)
We loved this place. The food, the atmosphere, and the experience!
Closed on Mondays.
Nothing in English. But don't worry, just point out what you want when you get to the counter.
We arrived 30 minutes before the opening time. Ten minutes later, the queue started to build up.
Seafood.. all fresh!
Choose what you want and how much. You don't have to mention weight, just say 'one portion' or watch when she scoops and tell her if it is too much or you want more.
I was tempted to order everything.. ha ha...
You order drinks, sauce, get cutlery, and pay here.
On the left there are 2 kitchen windows. One to pick up food, one to hand in used plates etc. Remember, this is a self service cafe.
For what we got, it wasn't expensive: 8 different dishes, 2 breads, 2 drinks, and garlic mayo (charged 80 cents).
On the left before the list, it says: Mesa 01. It means you are number one. A staff will shout "numero Uno!!!" when your food is ready.Dish 1 & 2: raw oysters and steamed sea snails.
Dish 3: Soup.
Dish 4: crab. Steamed naturally (no stuffing).
More to come
Dish 5: White baits. Tiny fish, delish! Fried.
Dish 6: Mussels in tomato sauce.
We were struggling to finish them off ha ha.. I was going to order lobster and baby calamari but we had ordered 8.. aahh...
Dish 7 & 8: white clams & razor clams.
When we left, all tables were occupied.
When we left, one hour after opening time, the queue was long. I heard, it is always like that every night and lunch time as well.
Michael Caines @aBode, Manchester
Time of visit: 2 February 2013
This was our first time to sample food cooked by a Michelin starred chef. We were very excited. We took an advantage of early bird menu, a 3-course meal costing £19/person as I recall it, excluding breads (£1.50/person), drinks, and 12% service fee added to the bill.
The layout of dining tables were nice, but I was not overly impressed with the lighting, it was a bit dark for me, gave the impression of cold and not uplifting. Perhaps meant to be romantic? Though, I felt fine after a nice waitress came to give the menu and explained. She was very knowledgeable and well trained.
Mr Be used to say we would be leaving the place hungry, considering the food on each plate was small. In fact, no.. it was alright. With 2 portions of breads and 3 course meal each, it was just right for us. The breads were divine. Until now, more than a year later, after we have gone to some other places, I still consider the breads at aBode are the best!! I love them so much. Later we went back to aBode for Christmas Day meal, I told my husband all I wanted was bread!! :)
The food and the service were great! We really enjoyed it. I wish to go back there to try other menu, possibly the tasting menu.
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This was our first time to sample food cooked by a Michelin starred chef. We were very excited. We took an advantage of early bird menu, a 3-course meal costing £19/person as I recall it, excluding breads (£1.50/person), drinks, and 12% service fee added to the bill.
The layout of dining tables were nice, but I was not overly impressed with the lighting, it was a bit dark for me, gave the impression of cold and not uplifting. Perhaps meant to be romantic? Though, I felt fine after a nice waitress came to give the menu and explained. She was very knowledgeable and well trained.
Mr Be used to say we would be leaving the place hungry, considering the food on each plate was small. In fact, no.. it was alright. With 2 portions of breads and 3 course meal each, it was just right for us. The breads were divine. Until now, more than a year later, after we have gone to some other places, I still consider the breads at aBode are the best!! I love them so much. Later we went back to aBode for Christmas Day meal, I told my husband all I wanted was bread!! :)
The food and the service were great! We really enjoyed it. I wish to go back there to try other menu, possibly the tasting menu.
Divine!
His starter: Salmon tartare, soused turnip, beetroot, honey and soy vinaigrette, wasabi yoghurt.
My starter: Chicken and wild mushroom tortellini, herb puree, truffled egg yolk, white wine sauce. Surprisingly delicious. I love dimsum, have eaten dimsum so many times. When this dish appeared I mumbled: aahh dimsum! But it was more than just dimsum, it was dish to die for. One of best dishes I have ever eaten.
My main: Roasted gilt head bream, red pepper puree, saffron onions, bouillabaisse sauce.
My main: Roasted gilt head bream, red pepper puree, saffron onions, bouillabaisse sauce.
His main: Fillet of lamb, boulangere potato, butternut squash, smoked paprika.
His dessert: Hot prune and armagnac souffle, prune and armagnac ice cream.
His dessert: Hot prune and armagnac souffle, prune and armagnac ice cream.
My dessert: Mosaic of Yorkshire rhubarb and blood orange, honeycomb, coriander.
Didn't like it, it was sour :((. Rhubarb is not my thing, but I wanted to know how Michael Caines cooked it. No regret.
My dessert: Mosaic of Yorkshire rhubarb and blood orange, honeycomb, coriander.
Didn't like it, it was sour :((. Rhubarb is not my thing, but I wanted to know how Michael Caines cooked it. No regret.
Interior
aBode
Budapest, Hungary
Time of visit: May 2012
We went to Budapest with Newmarket Tour as a part of Prague-Vienna-Bratislava-Budapest tour. It was only a short visit (trying to remember how many nights we were there -gosh, age! Perhaps, 2 nights only). Weather was pleasant in May, food were nice, sightseeing was enjoyable too. Yes, we had a great time in Budapest.
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We were so delighted to have find a cafe at Hilton. One drink and a plate of cakes cost only less than £4/person. Good deal!! :))))
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We went to Budapest with Newmarket Tour as a part of Prague-Vienna-Bratislava-Budapest tour. It was only a short visit (trying to remember how many nights we were there -gosh, age! Perhaps, 2 nights only). Weather was pleasant in May, food were nice, sightseeing was enjoyable too. Yes, we had a great time in Budapest.
£1 = 350 Forints
Chain Bridge, crossing River Danube, connecting Buda and Pest. Pedestrians and bikes side.
Chain Bridge, crossing River Danube, connecting Buda and Pest. Cars and trams go through it.
An advert :)
Tokaji (pronounced: tokay), Hungarian sweet dessert wine.
Parliament viewed from Fisherman's Bastion.
Veal goulash soup served in a traditional bowl.
Stroganoff.
Fisherman's Bastion.
We were so delighted to find a cafe at Hilton. One drink and a plate of cakes cost only less than £4/person. Good deal!! :))))
Covered market.
Covered market.
Covered market.
White peppers
White asparagus!! Beautiful.
Salami
Indomie!!! Indonesian noodles!!!! So surprised to find these in a supermarket near the covered market.
As a welcome to the Folklore Show, we were given a green man containing Palinka (traditional brandy mainly produced in Hungary).
The setting at the Folklore show. Beautiful!
The setting (in the wooden big room decorated with dried corns etc), music, dance, food and bottomless drinks, made me feel like we were celebrating after big success of harvest.
White wine is being served.
Here is the staff serving drink all night -well, until about 22:30.
One of our group members is serving goulash soup. Delish!
The folklore dance.
The folklore dance.
I was told, the music instrument (the one like a table) is originally from India (forgotten the name), and it is so hard to learn how to play it. This guy could play it with his eyes blindfolded at some point.
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