Pizza on the courtyard...

I just love weekends, the chance to unwind and relax after a hectic week is heaven and of course it is good to have the chance to see family and friends.
I don’t know about you, but although I enjoy cooking, the last thing I want to spend time on at the weekend is making an elaborate meal. I usually eat out or we order takeaway on the weekend.
One of my favourite things to eat is pizza (no great revelation there!) and I recently got the chance to review the new Chicago Town Takeaway* range. The Limited Edition BBQ Pulled Pork is new to the Chicago Town Takeaway range for spring 2015; the pizza has a real flavour of the Deep South which is smoky and delicious.
This tasty pizza is topped with Tender pulled pork and deep fried onion, layers of melted cheese and the signature Chicago Town BBQ sauce stuffed crust. I took the pizza to a family get together this weekend and everybody loved the delicious flavour. I served the pizza with cheese topped Nachos and garlic ciabatta, you know, just in case we didn't have quite enough food. Ahem! 

We did not even need to go to the trouble of ordering a pizza as the Chicago Town Takeaway range brings that delicious takeaway style pizza to your own home, with its unique soft rising dough, which means it bakes and rises in your oven for that irresistible doughy crust.  We also sampled the Four Cheese Melt which was equally delicious, with sumptuous Mozzarella, Monterey Jack, Cheddar and Emmental. Again this pizza has a sauce stuffed crust for that extra hit of gastronomic pleasure! 

The sun did not decide to shine, but we still made the most of the al fresco meal, washing the pizzas down with a few glasses of Spanish red. What a lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon, eating yummy pizza and spending quality time with the family.  The Chicago Town Takeaway range also boasts a classic crust Chicken and Bacon pizza or Sloppy Joe pizza and the stuffed crust range also has the Pepperoni Plus option. We  rounded the meal off with a zesty lemon swirl and mascarpone cheesecake. Yum! 

What better way to relax at the weekend than to pop a couple of these in the oven, open some wine and serve with lots of laughter and good conversation? 

What do you all think, which variety of these pizzas would you like to try? Remember the BBQ Pulled Pork is limited edition so don’t miss out. The Chicago Town Takeaway range is sold at all major supermarkets. Let me know which pizza tempts you the most, would you go for a classic or stuffed crust option? Thank you so much for reading this post and I can’t wait to hear your thoughts.

Until next time,

Camille

xo.

*Disclaimer

I was kindly asked to review this pizza in association with Chicago Town and Brazen PR. Therefore, the pizza was complimentary for review purposes. All opinions expressed are my own and honest. 

Lunch at an old favourite...

A couple of weekends ago, on a rather miserable Saturday afternoon with slate grey clouds hovering menacingly above and the threat of imminent rain, we decided to pop into one of our favourite haunts The Restaurant Bar and Grill Liverpool for a spot of lunch. There is a classic feel to RBG, it has faultless service and great food, which coupled with the chic and stylish interior, makes it the perfect place to stop off for lunch or dinner. Not to mention the cocktails which are so good! We did not have a reservation, but the ever lovely staff found us a cosy table for two and we perused the menu over an excellent South African Grand Cape Chardonnay which was citrusy and dry. 

 A dry and delicious Grand Cape Chardonnay of South Africa

We began the meal with the charred flat breads which were served with delicious hummus with parsley, red onion and pine nuts. Not to be awkward, but I decided to have a starter as a main (a request which was fully accommodated) and opted to have the Thai fishcakes, which were light and filled with delicious Atlantic Halibut. The lemongrass salsa which accompanied them was sharp and fragrant, perfection. Alongside the fishcakes I also had the charred sweet potatoes with lemongrass crème fraîche. These are deliciously divine and I could happily eat them every day!
My partner had the steak sandwich ( I know steak again!) and he loved the perfectly cooked steak on a hearty and rustic style sourdough roll, served with fries and Béarnaise  sauce. 

Charred flat bread

Thai Spiced Fishcakes

Fillet Steak Sandwich 

Last but not least, it was time for dessert and I admirably refused, but I still shared a bit of the dessert my partner ordered in the name of a full review....ha. It was a sensational hot chocolate fudge sundae which was frankly incredible, with layers of rich fudge sauce cascading over vanilla ice cream and chunks of chocolate cake. Wow! There was just time for a coffee and as you can see by the candlelit table our long lunch had extended into the evening! We had a super time and we headed to the bar for a few after dinner cocktails. Well, it was the weekend!

 Hot fudge sundae.

So that was another delicious lunch at Restaurant Bar and Grill. What a lovely way to spend a relaxed Saturday afternoon. What restaurants do you all like to visit when  you want to relax? I can't wait to hear your thoughts and thank you so much for reading this post!

Until next time, 

Camille 

xo 

Dinner at Côte Bistro

Eating out is my favourite thing to do and I love discovering new places. I walk past Côte Bistro Liverpool most days, but I had never tried it before. I have heard so many good things about this place from friends in the restaurant industry, who told me that even though it is a chain restaurant it still manages to feel like an authentic French bistro which you might discover on the banks of the Seine. The style of decor is so authentic, with wooden bistro style chairs, candlelit marble tables, linen napkins and displays of wine bottles . The best part about it is that they do an amazing lunch and early-evening set menu of two courses for £9.95 or three courses for £11.90
 I think that this set menu is exceptionally good value especially for a restaurant in the city. The location of Côte Liverpool could not be more perfect, as it is right in the centre of Liverpool One meaning it is the perfect place to head to for lunch or dinner after a few hours of shopping. Not that I have ever been known to go shopping of course. Ahem!
They also serve breakfast, and they do an impressive formule option, of full English breakfast, juice and a hot drink for £ 9.95.

We were warmly welcomed by our server, who led us to a pleasant table by the window and even took the time to ask how my day had been so far. We were immediately brought a bottle of filtered table water, a nice touch and I truly appreciate when restaurants do this without you even having to ask. I also ordered a glass of Lagarde Blanc, an excellent white wine with green apple and citrus notes.
 I was feeling hungry (as usual) so I opted for a main course and a dessert. Quelle surprise indeed! I went for the chargrilled chicken breast with garlic butter and frites. My partner went for the classic French bistro dish of steak frites; chargrilled thinly beaten minute-steak served with garlic butter and frites. Delicious! I have to admit, I wasn't expecting greatness for £9.95 but what a pleasant surprise I was in for. The food was served so quickly and the portions were more than generous. The fries were crispy and fresh and my chicken was cooked to perfection with the garlic butter adding a touch of decadence and rich flavour. Piles of fresh and lightly seasoned rocket dressed the plate and I was offered a choice of sauces. I can see why the Sunday Times has called this restaurant 'fantastic'.

Chargrilled chicken breast with garlic butter and frites.

My partner said the steak was excellent, and you can gather by now that he is something of a steak expert! It was perfectly cooked and generously proportioned with piles of crispy fries. We were both so happy with our meals, and we were delighted with the sheer quality of the dishes.

Steak frites. 

The desserts were both excellent, and having eaten Crème Caramel  far too often when I lived in France, I can confirm this was an authentic one, with a deliciously rich caramel. My partner had the chocolate pot (which I sampled of course!) and the sharpness of the crème fraîche really complemented the rich hit of dark chocolate cream which lay beneath. These were stunning desserts which rounded off our meal to perfection. What a lovely evening! 

Crème Caramel 

 Dark chocolate pot. 

I am so glad to have finally tried Côte Bistro and I will definitely be dining there often from now on. The food was excellent and the service was friendly and pleasant. It was an exceptionally good meal from start to finish.
So that is all from me for now, what do you all think, do you like the look of this restaurant or have you ever dined at Côte? There is a great choice of locations for this restaurant, so I would definitely recommend it for a lovely French style meal. Oh la la. Ok I will stop now! I can't wait to read your thoughts on this and thank you so much for reading this post!

Until next time, 

Camille xo 

Côte Bistro
51 Paradise Street, Liverpool L1 3EU

0151 709 8487

liverpool@cote-restaurants.co.uk

Dinner at Hanover Street Social...

I find that it is always lovely to go out to dinner to a restaurant you have never tried before, and that is exactly what I did on Friday evening. It had been a hectic week of work and dashing around here and there, so I was looking forward to relaxing over a few glasses of wine and some delicious food. I had not remembered to reserve a table anywhere, and after Tweeting about my dilemma the lovely Hanover Street Social came to my rescue with an 8pm reservation for two. Thank you so much!
The weather was dreadful, so having dashed through the pouring rain under an umbrella which was determined to turn inside out in the gale force winds, I was delighted to finally reach the sanctuary of the restaurant.
Inside, the large bar area was full of people sipping delicious looking cocktails. The decor is all candlelit tables, leather booth seats, exposed brickwork and vaguely industrial style metal light fittings. The whole interior design aesthetic creates a cosy ambience which reminds me of Pastis in New York or a bistro in Montmartre. We were warmly welcomed with chilled Prosecco and the biggest olives I have ever seen, which were wonderfully sharp and salty. The welcome drinks were a nice aperitif and we were soon drooling over the menu.

 We were welcomed with Prosecco and olives.

I opted to start the meal with chargrilled flatbreads which were served with an amazing rustic style red pepper hummus topped with pomegranate seeds, as well as harissa salsa and guacamole. My partner meanwhile had grilled goats cheese on toasted brioche with tomato and apple chutney. Delicious!

 Chargrilled flatbreads with red pepper hummus, guacamole and harissa salsa. 

Goats cheese on toasted brioche with tomato and apple chutney.

For the main course, I felt in the mood for some classic and traditional comfort food. What better meal for this mood than good old fish and chips? So I just had to choose the fish and chips with pea puree and homemade tartar sauce. The fish was perfectly cooked, white and flaky. The batter was crisp and golden and the peas were deliciously minted. Extra bonus points for the chunky chips and the homemade tartar sauce which was tangy with piquant capers. What a feast! My partner meanwhile had the 28 day aged 8oz rib eye steak with fries, grilled tomato and peppercorn sauce. He devoured it quickly, commenting on the perfectly cooked steak, wonderfully crispy fries and delicious peppercorn sauce between mouthfuls!

Fish and chips with pea puree and homemade tartar sauce.

8 oz rib eye steak with fries and peppercorn sauce.

Dessert time, and you all know the drill. We were feeling too full, blah blah...but suddenly we decided we could just about force ourselves to order dessert in the name of a thorough review. Ahem. Sticky toffee pudding and Knickerbocker glory were duly ordered and we felt truly shamefaced...but still excited to eat the dessert of course! The sundae was ridiculously good, with layers of ice cream, honeycomb, Chantilly cream and homemade brownie pieces. My oh my. The sticky toffee pudding was equally amazing, dense sponge studded with juicy dates and a rich drizzle of toffee sauce. Pudding perfection!

Knickerbocker Glory . Wow, just wow.

Sticky toffee pudding and Knickerbocker Glory. 

We chose an excellent Shiraz from the wine list, Cullinan View of South Africa which was spicy, with notes of plum and vanilla.  We decided to round of the meal with espresso (him) and espresso martini (me). The martini was delicious, I have always loved espresso martini and I have ordered it for years at various bars and restaurants, so it holds fond memories for me. 

Espresso Martini.

So that was the end of our lovely evening at Hanover Street Social. It was a wonderful meal and the service was polite and friendly. We will definitely be returning soon! What do you all think, would you like to pull up a chair and feast on a Knickerbocker Glory here? I hope that you all had a good weekend and thank you so much for reading this post! 

Hanover Street Social 

16-20 Hanover Street, 

Liverpool, L1 4AA

0151 709 8784

Until next time, 

Camille 

xo 

Smiles By Design launch party...

You all know by now how much I love a good party, and last week I was fortunate enough to be invited to a great one to celebrate the launch of Smiles By Design* in the historic city of Chester. I think that a simple smile is the most effective way of communicating, without saying a word. A smile can mean so many different things, it can put people at ease, welcome them and create a connection with somebody before you have even spoken. Nevertheless,our teeth are something which we do not always think about as often as we should. I am sure we have all been guilty of skipping a trip to the dentist every now and again!

Smiles By Design is led by expert dentist Dr. Taylor Pope, who will offer a range of aesthetic treatments and advanced dentistry at the clinic. He will offer treatments such as whitening, dental implants and invisible braces. It was time to celebrate the launch of the clinic and when the party began there was plenty of chilled bubbly flowing! Local journalists and business leaders were in attendance and everyone enjoyed mingling and chatting with Dr. Pope. The clinic is housed in a beautiful Georgian building, situated in St. John Street in the historic city. There was a wide range of guests at the party, including key figures from local organisations and students from Chester University.
I had a lovely chat with Patrick Barker, of Chrichton Tailors,a local tailor whose business has been continued by the family for generations. Being a fashion lover, I could not help admiring his fabulous knitted tie!  I also had an interesting chat with fellow writer and wine merchant Paul Caputo of Caputo Wines. It was lovely to meet you all! I must say a big thank you to the lovely Nicola Spindler too, who kindly invited me to the party. It was lovely to finally meet you!

The bubbly flowed to celebrate the launch of the Smiles By Design clinic.

Guests tucked in to delicious canapes during the party including salmon blinis, chicken satay, samosas and artisan quiche. Yum! I had a good time mingling with the other guests and I ended up talking about beauty products to a few of the other ladies at the party. They recommended Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream, so I am now eager to try some! It is great that Smiles By Design also offer lip enhancements, derma-roller treatments and dermal fillers. The great location of the practice in the centre of Chester means that patients can pop in for a quick treatment and then go shopping nearby. Perfect!

Dr Taylor also specialises in the treatment of nervous patients. I had a chat with a patient who told me that she was so nervous about going to the dentist before she became a patient of Smiles By Design and now she never misses an appointment because she actually doesn't fear the dentist at all any more. This is great news for me because I too am a nervous patient so it is great to know that a dentist like Dr. Taylor can put patients at ease! 

The elegant Georgian facade of the Smiles By Design clinic.

The lovely team at Smiles By Design led by Dr Taylor Pope.

  Paul Caputo, Izzy Grey and Patrick Barker enjoyed a chat with Dr Taylor Pope

Connie Hancock with students from Chester University.

I thought I would also share with you a couple of photographs of what I wore to the party. This simple black camisole was from Primark, the skinny jeans are River Island and the clutch bag is also from Primark. Yes, you all know how much I love trawling through Primark for some bargains. I just love that store so much! I bought these amazing shoes there too, they only cost £12 and I wear them to so many parties and events. They are actually comfortable to walk in too which is a miracle for heels as I never find them comfortable usually. As usual I stuck to my favourite head to toe black style, simple but classic. 

It was a wonderful launch party and everybody had such a great time. Best wishes to Dr. Taylor Pope and the Smiles By Design team for the future! 

Smiles By Design, 

9 St John Street, Chester 

CH1 1DA

01244 350500

What do you all think, are you nervous of going to the dentist and what products do you like to use to care for your teeth at home? I hope that you all have a lovely weekend and thank you so much for reading this post! 

Until next time, 

Camille 

xo 

*Disclaimer: 

I was invited to this party as a guest of Nicola Spindler and Smiles By Design, all opinions expressed are my own and honest.