Aloft Liverpool Emoji launch...

You know those cute little icons with which we pepper our text messages these days, those little yellow faces which are everywhere...yes I am of course talking about Emoji. The adorable icons have taken the world by storm and I was thrilled to be invited along to the Aloft Hotel in Liverpool this week for the launch of the world's first Emoji room service. Yes, you read that right! The groundbreaking TiGi (text it, get it) concept is so cool. It means that guests at Aloft Liverpool will be able to order a fun selection of items from room service via text from the Aloft TiGi Emoji Room Service Menu. This is such a fun idea and it  means that guests just text the corresponding emojis from the Aloft TiGi Emoji Room Service Menu to the hotel TiGi phone line, along with their room number, to receive their chosen goodies. I am so impressed by this innovation and I think that it will make staying at Aloft even more indulgent than usual! I love exciting new concepts such as this and I think it strikes the right balance between being fun and useful at the same time.

We were invited to a special media preview night, to showcase the new service  which involved an array of different Emoji themed events to get us in the Emoji mood! We were welcomed with plenty of Prosecco in the hotel bar area, which was festooned with emoji balloons (which were so cute I wanted to take them home!) We enjoyed  the work of local artists given the opportunity to showcase their work in a three day exhibition called Emoji Exhibit. Artists include Graphic Designer, James Traynor who has designed a retro animated Emoji Pacman. Oh my goodness, I have always loved Pacman so I thought that an Emoji version was the best thing ever!
Also on display was a stylish emoji dress by fashion designer Heather Orr and emoji Shakespeare by graphic designer Jamie Rector. I really admire the Aloft philosophy of supporting new and emerging creative artistic talent, giving artists a platform to showcase their work is such a great initiative.

After enjoying some drinks and the chance to chat with other guests for a while, we were whisked upstairs to enjoy a yoga display, which previewed the upcoming classes which will take place as part of the Emoji themed events. Aloft Liverpool guests will be invited to take part in a free Emoji Yoga class with Liverpool Yoga Studios, with poses and routines designed to help weary travellers recover from fatigue or business related stress. This is a great idea as travelling can just be so tiring, and yoga is a good way to relax and switch off your mind.

Back downstairs we were  led to a beautifully decorated long table in the NYL Restaurant, where we were treated to platters of Emoji afternoon tea. Emoji cupcakes decorated our place settings, along with amazing goodie bags featuring treats from Urban Decay and Peaches and Cream.

We sipped delicious rum punch and martinis as we chatted and tucked in to the delicious platters including buffalo wings, pizza and mini cheeseburger. We were also treated to a choice of teas to accompany the cocktails and food, so I opted for a traditional English tea which went perfectly with the selection of cakes including chocolate chip cookie, Victoria sponge, doughnut and an Emoji cake.

After a lovely catch up chat with the Head Chef of NYL Restaurant, we headed through to the bar again for some more of the amazing martinis and live music from the band who performed a brilliant live set to mark the occasion!

The whole evening was so much fun and we had a blast enjoying the various Emoji themed exhibits and activities and of course  the delicious cocktails and food. Thank you so much to Aloft Hotel Liverpool and 20ten Entertainment for inviting me along to such a super evening. I am more in love with Emojis now than ever before! 

What do you all think do you like the idea of an Emoji room service menu and and Emoji themed afternoon tea? Would you like to stay at Aloft Liverpool and experience this groundbreaking concept?

As always I cannot wait to hear your thoughts and thank you so much for reading this post! 

Until next time,

Camille 

xo 

Baby you have a lot to learn...

Hi everyone, I hope that you are all well. I went home to Derbyshire at the weekend to see my family and we decided to head out for some lunch. Everyone who knows me is well aware of my obsession with wearing black. Come rain or shine, I just find that black is super easy to wear, stylish and figure flattering plus it is suitable for every occasion. I had recently purchased this faux leather skirt from Forever 21 which has a slightly 1950's feel to it due to the shape. I love to mix textures so I decided to pair touches of faux leather and suede with this super soft slogan t-shirt which I purchased recently also from Forever 21.

Throwing on my Balmain sunglasses and reaching for my favourite Primark mock croc tote was all I needed in terms of accessories for this look, as I wanted it to be fairly paired down. I think the overall look is very put together, yet relaxed and stylish at the same time. This is why I love to wear black as it is just so  easy to get right in terms of simple outfits.

Outfit details:
Faux leather biker jacket-Select
T-shirt-Forever 21
Skirt-Forever 21
Sunglasses-Balmain
Bag, shoes and faux fur collar-Primark

Sometimes it is really hard to dress for my shape because I am tall and curvy which can be a difficult mix to dress. I love simple items which can easily be assembled in to a look which seems polished. Whilst I adore skinny jeans for every day style, I find skirts like this look fashionable without trying too hard for a slightly more formal look. My faux leather biker jacket from Select is something I reach for so often lately as it seems to go with everything. 

What do you all think, what is your go-to outfit look and do you like to wear all black outfits with different textures like this? As always I cannot wait to hear your thoughts and thank you so much for reading this post.

Until next time,

Camille 

xo

The Boardroom Bristol...

A part of my writing work which I really enjoy is the chance to experience dining concepts which I have not really come across before, and this is exactly what happened recently when I was fortunate enough to be invited to try the newly opened  drinking and dining concept The Boardroom* in Bristol.

I love historic buildings (blame growing up in a 400 year old Derbyshire farmhouse!) so I was delighted to find out that The Boardroom is housed in a former coaching inn which dates back to the 16th century in part and was rebuilt in 1853, with many original architectural features still visible throughout such as fireplaces and flooring. 

I was given a warm welcome by the proprietors of The Boardroom,  Alex and Sandra Hazzard who have channelled their decades of experience in the hospitality industry in to the new venue. I sipped delicious sparkling rosé as they told me all about the inspiration behind the venue, which is the first venture by The Way out West Pub Company.

I am not very familiar with Bristol, so it was fun for me to get the chance to travel to a different city and to enjoy a totally new experience. The Boardroom prides itself on offering ‘the art of grazing’, a convivial con amici style of dining which is very relaxed and ideal for sharing. The menu is centred on boards, hence the name of the venue, and there are plenty of tantalising goodies on offer including sweet and savoury options as well as an impressive drinks menu. 

Serving cheese, charcuterie, gourmet chocolates and fine wines as well as ales and ciders which are all sourced within the local area, the idea is to support as many local suppliers as possible. I started the evening with a mixed cheese board which was groaning under the weight of delectable locally sourced cheeses. I am a great lover of a good cheeseboard and this one offered an excellent variety of cheddar, blue cheese, smoked and soft cheese, and there was a perfect quantity to share. Yum! To complement the cheeses I also sampled a board of charcuterie, which you can customise from an array of options including Somerset cider chorizo, Sage, mustard & cider salami, Red wine & draycott blue salami, Pork & venison with Indonesian long pepper and Pork & wild boar with juniper and cara. The meats were tender and full of flavour, perfect to pair with wine!
I love the stylish and cosy interior design aesthetic which features a wraparound walnut bar area, wooden floors, feature lighting and stained glass. Upstairs there is a relaxed area with chesterfield sofas, custom art work and banquette seating.
After the sumptuous cheese and charcuterie platters, it was time for a treat from the Indulgences menu, which features a selection of fudge and chocolates. I was spoiled with Gilbert & Swayne handmade chocolates, which are so decadent and irresistible, I think that supporting local artisan suppliers like this really sets The Boardroom apart. Enriching the local economy and complementing the existing businesses in the area is central to the Way Out West philosophy and this is something I find admirable about any business, as there are so many artisan produce makers as well as suppliers and growers who struggle to get a foothold in such a competitive industry nowadays. I love discovering produce from companies I have not come across before, and The Boardroom uses so many smaller suppliers who focus on quality over quantity.

I got the inside scoop on how the concept came about, from co-owner Sandra Hazzard: “The concept for The Boardroom came about when we realised that we enjoyed drinking fine wines alongside cheese and charcuterie boards at home. Frustratingly, we found that there were no restaurants offering the relaxed style of dining which we enjoy, so we decided to open our own and The Boardroom concept was born. We are delighted to offer wine and whiskey flights, artisan beers and local ciders paired with gourmet boards of charcuterie, cheeses and handmade chocolates. We are passionate about sourcing premium produce within the local area; supporting as many individual suppliers as possible is paramount to us” 

I loved the relaxed and informal style of dining offered at The Boardroom and I found the food to be superb; the local provenance and high grade quality of the produce used is reflected in the taste. I think this style of dining lends itself perfectly to date nights, a catch up with family or a bite to eat with friends. Attention to detail is evident in the bespoke artworks, vintage meat slicers, wine display case and artisan bread ovens. The welcoming and cosy candlelit ambience is so pleasant and I am already looking forward to popping in again soon for some more of those delicious boards!

The lovely owners of The Boardroom, Alex and Sandra Hazzard. It was a pleasure to try what I am sure will be the first of many prosperous ventures for their company, The Way Out West Pub Company. Thank you so much for a lovely evening!

The Boardroom

20 St Nicholas Street

Bristol

BS1 1UB

0117 925 4617

http://www.theboardroombristol.com/

What do you all think, do you like the idea of 'the art of grazing' and which of these sharing boards would you like to sample first? As always I cannot wait to hear your thoughts and thank you so much for reading this post!

Until next time,

Camille 

xo 

*Disclaimer

 I was invited to try the menu at The Boardroom, the meal was complimentary for review purposes. All opinions expressed herein are my own and honest. 

Dinner at Around The World Bar and Lounge...

As a food writer I am always really excited to try somewhere I have not eaten before, and the new Around The World Bar & Lounge*in Liverpool One is somewhere I have been eager to try ever since I found out that they have installed a new pizza oven which makes traditional Italian style stone baked thin crust pizzas. I attended the launch party recently, so I had already had a sneak preview of the stylish new bar restaurant venue which is located within the Bierkeller Entertainment Complex in the heart of Liverpool One.
I arrived early in the evening and was welcomed by the team who made me at home at a table overlooking the live acoustic musician who was just warming up for his set.
I sipped a glass of crisp house white wine as I decided what to order from a menu which includes New York sirloin steak, burgers, Southern style pulled pork sandwich and classics such as traditional fish and chips.

The choice of starters all sounded good, with my eye caught by both the salt and pepper calamari and the pulled pork nachos. I eventually decided to begin the meal with a portion of peri peri chicken goujons, which are available as a starter or a main, wrapped in beer batter and served with spicy harissa mayo or lemon aioli. When these were served I was immediately impressed by the rich golden colour of the batter. In my experience, the more golden the batter the better it tastes. My theory was proved correct as I tried my first bite, finding that the batter was as crispy and tasty as it looked, with tender and  succulent chicken within. The bed of mixed green salad this was served on provided a perfect light and fresh contrast to the rich batter. The harissa mayo was obviously homemade, with a chunky thick texture and a wonderfully spicy kick from the harissa. I soon finished the entire plate , and next time I would order these as a main as they were just irresistible, served in a generous portion and so tasty as well. Pure comfort food, ideal to share with friends over a bottle of wine.

Never a day goes by when I am not in the mood for a pizza, but I have to say I am fairly fussy. I always prefer a traditional Italian style pizza where possible, cooked in a wood fired oven or stone baked for preference. I like a good thin and crispy base and even better  if it is slightly charred around the edges. I deliberated over the options which included Diavola, Florentine, Fungi and BBQ pizzas, but continuing with the chicken theme I opted for the Pollo. In no time, the pizza was whisked to the table and it was topped with chicken, white onion and sundried tomato as well as heaps of melted mozzarella. The base was crispy perfection and the toppings worked well together as a flavour combination with the tangy white onion contrasting well against the tender chicken and sweet sundried tomato. The slight charring I was looking for was also in evidence and the dough had bubbled up nicely at the edges during cooking. Not that I am a pizza fanatic or anything! 

With the chicken peri peri goujons and pizza eagerly devoured, I did not need much more, but I still chose a side order of sweet potato fries which I always find irresistible. I was also tempted by the beer battered onion rings but I thought not even I could possibly eat anything else, although never  say never! 

The ambience in the Around The World Bar and Lounge was really good and the live music was amazing too. There was a really good vibe in the air as the singer played an acoustic set and the restaurant and bar filled up. I like the decor of stripped back wood paneling, fairy lights and the sweeping bar area which features pot plants and wooden display shelves. The quirky, cool and eclectic aesthetic adds to the welcoming atmosphere of ATW Bar & Lounge and it was really busy when I dined. 

Alas for once I decided to skip dessert as I was so full after such a huge and hearty meal. I was impressed by the range of choices on offer and I think that everything on the menu is ideal for a relaxed and casual style of dining which you can enjoy whilst having a couple of drinks. There is a real flair for menu development shown too, with more gourmet choices such as sirloin steak and calamari featuring alongside traditional bar food classics such as signature burgers loaded with toppings and chicken, beef or halloumi kebabs. I was impressed to see that the meats and vegetables used in the dishes are locally sourced where possible too.
I had a lovely time sampling the new Around The World Bar & Lounge menu and a big thank you to the team for making me so welcome. I will be popping in to dine here whenever I want simple and satisfying comfort food which is done really well. The service was faultless throughout too and I enjoyed relaxing and watching the live music during my visit.

What do you all think, do you like this casual and relaxed style of dining and which of the dishes on the menu sound appealing to you? As always I cannot wait to hear your thoughts and thank you so much for reading this post. 

Around The World Bar & Lounge 

6 Thomas Steers Way,

 Liverpool

 L1 8LW

http://atw80.com/

Until next time,

Camille 

xo 

*Disclaimer

I was invited to sample the menu at ATW Bar & Lounge. The meal was complimentary for review purposes. All opinions expressed herein are my own and honest.

A feast at Wahaca...

It is always good to try a different dining experience and that is what I enjoyed recently when I went along to try Wahaca Liverpool. I love Mexican food, so I was eager to sample the spin on Mexican street food offered at Wahaca. We arrived on Christmas Eve after a long afternoon of shopping, in need of something to restore our flagging energy levels.
There was a good atmosphere in the restaurant, and Christmas carols were blasting out! After a warm welcome we were immediately shown to a table by the window where we perused the menu and watched the world go by.

The only difficulty was what to order as everything sounded so tempting. The first thing on the agenda was to order some drinks, so  I went for the tempting sounding Twisted Pear cocktail which consisted of a refreshing blend of vodka, William pear, lime and freshly juiced ginger. Meanwhile my dining companion (and designated driver!) chose the Raw Fiyah ginger beer.

We decided on a choice of items to share to start the meal as well as a Burrito each for the main course. An order of sweet potatoes were swiftly devoured, which were sweet and crispy, dressed with smoky caramelised mojo de ajo. A portion of sweet potato and feta Taquitos were equally irresistible, with plenty of feta crumbled over the top of the crispy fried tortilla shells rolled up like cigars.
We also tried an order of rajas tacos, which had plenty of flavour from the filling of chargrilled poblano pepper, spinach, corn and a creamy sauce.

You can’t go to a Mexican eatery and resist having a portion of quesadillas in my opinion, so we went all in by ordering the black bean and cheese variety which were brimming with long cooked tender black beans and plenty of sumptuous cheese. How could I resist a burrito (which has to be one of my favourite ever Mexican foods) so I decided to go for the creamy rajas burrito whilst my dining companion chose the chicken tinga (tender shredded chicken in a chipotle spiced onion and tomato sauce). Both of the burritos were hearty and tasty, packed with plenty of filling and served with a portion of crispy tortilla chips topped with salsa and sour cream.

As if that was not already enough food for one meal, we could not resist dessert especially when I saw salted caramel ice cream on the menu, which was full of flavour and dark chocolate chunks which contrasted so well with the caramel.

 Meanwhile my dining companion defaulted to his usual Mexican favourite of churros y chocolate, hot doughnuts covered in sugar and cinnamon served with both chocolate and toffee dipping sauce and I rounded things off with a latte, as I can never go more than a couple of hours without a caffeine fix these days!

Wow, what an epic feast and both the food and the service were excellent. I was so pleased that Wahaca lived up to expectations as I was happy to hear that it was opening in Liverpool. I feel that it is a welcome addition to the Liverpool dining scene, which offers so much choice with more exciting restaurants opening all the time.

Wahaca Liverpool 

24 College Lane

Liverpool

L1 3DS

0151 541 9174

http://www.wahaca.co.uk/

What do you all think, have you dined at Wahaca and what is your favourite Mexican food? As always I cannot wait to hear your thoughts and thank you so much for reading this post.

Until next time,

Camille 

xo