Jamie Oliver's Italian, Liverpool

Time of visit: 21 December 2011

It was my first time going to Jamie Oliver's restaurant, with my daughters and friends. Perhaps my expectation was too high, knowing he is so famous. So, although the food were okay, I was not really impressed. Jamie Oliver failed to deliver a wow factor, in my opinion.

Sweet mini chilli peppers.

Polenta chips.

Mine: Crab and squid ink risotto.

My friend's, IH: MONACHELLE PUTTANESCA

(Seashell pasta with a tomato sauce, capers, chilli, anchovies, parsley & olives).

My daughter's, PB: Seaside risotto.

My friend's, FW: "Happy" heritage grilled chicken. 

My daughter's, RB: OSSO BUCCO MILANESE (Veal with polenta).

Peach and almond tart.

The ultimate brownie.

Tea42

Time of visit: 24 June 2014

“Fab! All Food 50% off on Mons & Tues”

I went with my daughter on Tuesday afternoon. We had latte which was very very nice, creamy. We both had tasting platter cakes consisting 3 cakes each, all was fab! Most of the time cheesecake makes me feel bloated, but in Tea42 cheesecake was so delicate, not too sweet, just right and didn't make me feel bloated at all. Normally I don't like carrot cake, but I pinched nearly half of my daughter's portion.

The place was very nice, clean, refreshing. Worth mentioning, the toilet was very clean.
When the bill arrived, we were surprised to find that all food was 50% off. A staff told us it applies on Mondays and Tuesdays. Unfortunately I forgot to ask whether the offer applies during the day only or evening included.

We thoroughly enjoyed our afternoon coffee & cakes. I would love to return to try other food. I found out they have 5 course evening meal for £24.95, Thursday to Saturday from 6pm.

Time of visit: 24 June 2014

Las Iguanas, Trafford Centre

Time of visit: 28 June 2014

One of our many visits to Las Iguanas. We always find Las Iguanas pleasantly delicious. Our favourites are fish taco and lamb meatballs. Tonight we also tried a new menu, prawns in coconut milk. Nice.

Trafford Centre.

Las Iguanas.

Las Iguanas.

Las Iguanas.

Las Iguanas.

Diet drinks: mint tea & water.

POLLO CARURU: A spicy dish of chicken & butternut squash with iron-rich 

spinach, okra, seafood broth & coconut milk, blended 

& served with spring onion & garlic rice. With chilli & garlic 

buttered corn tortillas & pink pickled onions.

CAMARÃO A LA CRIOLLA: Plump prawns in a sumptuous sauce of peppers, tomatoes, 

parsley, coriander, garlic, paprika, coconut milk, cumin 

& lime. With chilli & garlic buttered wheat & corn tortillas 

& piles of spring onion & garlic rice.

GAMBAS: Greedy whole prawns, split & cooked in a garlic, 

lemon & chilli sauce, served with ciabatta. 

SPECTACULAR FISH TACO:

Crackly battered sustainable white fish caught in soft wheat 

& corn tortillas, topped with a corn & sweet chilli salsa. 

ALBONDIGAS:

An authentic Patagonian recipe; mouth-watering lamb 

meatballs with apple, mint, parmesan & a pinch of nutmeg. 

Braised in a rich tomato, mint & mild red chilli sauce. 

Sprinkled with grated parmesan. 

Afternoon Tea at Radisson Blu, Manchester

Time of visit: 3 September 2013

My daughter, RB, gave me a voucher for afternoon tea for two at Radisson Blu as a mother's day present. Bless her! After delaying for quite long time, finally I made the trip to the venue with my friend, SW.

It was a very pleasant day, we took photos of each other near Midland Hotel. We were in high spirit and.. hungry.
The afternoon tea was beautiful. We enjoyed it very much. I had Lapsang Souchong tea, for the first time. The smokey taste reminded me of my grandmother's kitchen. She used a traditional wood burning cooker. Sometimes, because too much smoke, the drinking (boiled) water had smokey taste. 

Although we were hungry, we could not finish them and took some home.

The left one is Gentlemen's Afternoon Tea, the right one is Traditional Afternoon Tea.

The bottom tier of Traditional, sandwiches: beef. prawns, egg mayo, salmon.

Middle tier: sultana and plain scones.

The top tier of Traditional: cakes.

The top tier of Gentlemen: fish & chips, pie, and Yorkshire pudding with roast beef and gravy.

San Carlo Farmacia Del Dolce @Selfridges, Manchester

Time of visit: 11 December 2013

A very nice cafe with great staff and tempting desserts (and other food too). Certainly I will return.

Launched on 27th of November, part of San Carlo's group.

I loved sitting here.

Couldn't decide what to have, I chose 5 different MINI sweets. I managed to eat 

only 2 macaroons and a rectangular cake. Took away the rest 

Very much affordable. Latte with cream is £3.

To show how small the cakes are, I placed a sugar sachet as comparison 

Not as good as Laduree's but they were quite nice -crunchy outside, gooey inside.

La Boheme, Lymm - Cheshire

Time of visit: 9 November 2013.

Nice place, great service, tasty food.

Exterior

Entrance

The bar

Table setting

Nice sitting area.

Had to shoot quickly without flash 

His starter: Ballotine De Coquelet Au Crabe & Gambas. Pan-fried boneless 

baby chicken filled with crab, king prawn & fresh herb mousse, 

presented on samphire, finished with langoustine sauce.

My starter: Foie Gras & Sa Brioche. Three pieces of brioche, 

diced apple, and foie gras.

His main: Beef fillet steak with blue cheese.

The blue cheese is bursting when you cut the fillet steak.

My main: Duo De Chevreuil. Shredded venison shoulder in puff pastry and venison 

loin with potato and vegs. This is tasty but I prefer 

venison at White Hart, Oldham.

Duo De Chevreuil. Shredded venison shoulder in puff pastry and venison loin with potato and vegs.

Olivier Troalen, the head chef, has published a book.

Assiette Gourmande. Five mini sweets: cheese cake, ice cream on brandy basket, 

sticky toffee pudding, Opera cake, choc cake.

First time I tried Opera cake, the layered square one.

Panier De Glaces Maison. Brandy snap basket filled with ice cream.

Panier De Glaces Maison. Brandy snap basket filled with ice cream.