Ale tasting at The Botanist Chester...

It is always fun to get an invitation to something I have not tried before and last week I was invited along to an ale tasting at The Botanist in Chester. I have been to a few wine tastings now, but an ale tasting was something completely new for me. 

The interior of The Botanist is cute and quirky with touches of garden themed ephemera here and there and a potting shed aesthetic upstairs which gives way to a light and bright restaurant space decorated in cool colours. 

After arriving early and having a quick drink at the bar, we gathered upstairs at a long table set out ready for the ale tasting. We were welcomed by the lovely Tamara and ale guru Kieran who was on hand to talk us through the drinks.

To begin the tasting there was Lancaster Bomber, a traditional English ale, earthy and herbaceous with a dark copper colour and a lingering slightly sweet finish. I never expected to be trying so many different ales in one evening but I was not complaining and this started things off well! 

Next we moved on to the Icelandic beer Einstök which was a favourite of mine, a pale wheat beer brewed with glacier water, this was real revelation with a hint of coriander. I could have imagined this pairing perfectly with Indian food. Also I loved the label, I know, I know, minus point for me on the beer aficionado front but I am a sucker for great branding! 

Next up was a further revelation as we sampled a German wheat beer, Erdinger which was tasty with faint hints of orange, banana, clove and bubble gum! An interesting mix which was certainly different to any beer I have ever tried and surprisingly sweet. 

The next ale of the night was one which sparked a good level of debate, a Cuvée René from Belgium which really divided opinion. This is the Marmite of beer, you either love or hate the strong sour flavour and it was something of an acquired taste which I definitely could not drink copious amounts of. I was glad that this was included in the tasting because it showed me how much beer can vary in flavour and intensity. It was interesting for a novice like me to try this! 

Next we moved on to something softer and more approachable, Kona Big Wave which was a delicious Hawaiian beer which reminded me of lying on the beach soaking up the sun with its sweet and malty flavour. This had the nickname ‘bartender beer’ due to its popularity with bartenders, which if you ask me is a pretty good endorsement as they obviously know their stuff. 

 Another beer which really stood out for me was The Wild Beer Co Millionaire, a chocolate and salted caramel milk stout which is brewed to taste similar to the chocolate and caramel notes of millionaire’s shortbread. This had a real sweetness and depth to it, it was definitely different to the stouts I have ever tried before and I would order it again as it appeals to my sweet tooth!

Beavertown Gamma Ray was an American pale ale served in a can with a cool design. This one had an amazing tropical aroma and plenty of malt. I loved this beer which had heaps of personality and it was pleasant and smooth.

A German double bock style beer, Schneiderweisse had a soft aroma with hints of banana and caramel. It was explained that this beer is almost as complex as a red wine in terms of flavour profile and this was a super ale to end the tasting with as it was an easy drinking style which had bags of charm.

Afterwards Suave Barbers were on hand to give the guys some grooming treatments and goody bags full of products to take home. An array of food was served for us enjoy before we headed home and we all enjoyed such a fun and informative evening. I met so many lovely people and I was even brought a pot of Earl Grey because I had a cold, which was so thoughtful! Thanks to all at The Botanist Chester for a great evening.

So that is all from me for now, it was so much fun to attend an ale tasting and I am going to be bringing you a rum tasting and another wine tasting soon! The Botanist ale tasting event made me realise that there really is a beer for everybody and I think I will be trying different varieties more from now on as I learned so much. What do you all think, do you like the idea of an ale tasting or have you ever attended a similar event? As always I cannot wait to hear your thoughts and thank you so much for reading this post!

The Botanist 

13 St Werburgh St, 

Chester 

CH1 2DY

http://thebotanist.uk.com/

Until next time, 

Camille 

xo 

Archies Liverpool...

I love food, something which may well have become apparent by now due to the content I post! The thing is I associate food with my mood, sometimes I am in the mood for a candlelit three course dinner, sometimes the mood for fish & chips by the sea, a homemade roast dinner or a steaming bowl of penne in my favourite Italian restaurant. There is one particular mood which I think most food lovers can identify with, and that is burger mood! Sometimes nothing else hits the spot quite like a towering burger and some crispy fries, preferably accompanied by a milkshake. Burgers come in many different forms nowadays, from the everyday high street fast food purveyors to the ‘gourmet’ burgers offered at more mid-range restaurants. There are also more inventive creations around now, such as burgers in a doughnut bun and more fine dining spins on the classic such as wagyu beef burgers or truffle mac n’ cheese burgers. I was definitely in a burger mood last week which was just as well as I was invited to check out Archies which is a fun diner-style burger joint which has already got two successful venues in Manchester and has recently come to Liverpool. 

Archies has become renowned for its amazing milkshakes and its tasty burgers which are a favourite with celebrities as well as the loyal customer base it has already gathered.

Upon arrival I was immediately cheered by the retro American aesthetic of the restaurant, with a counter downstairs with a brightly lit menu board and an area where you can see all the milkshakes being prepped. We headed upstairs into a spacious restaurant area, with white walls and bright pink accents including booth seats and neon signs. The menu was full of options but I was immediately drawn to the chicken Cheetos burger. This consisted of tender chicken in a crispy coating topped with Cheetos, hot cheese sauce, lettuce and Cajun mayonnaise. The chicken was delicious and the Cajun mayonnaise gave a fiery kick whilst the brioche bun and Cheetos added the ideal finishing touches. 

My dining companion chose the Route 66 burger with bacon, American cheese, tomato, lettuce, red onions and barbecue sauce. This was exactly as you imagine a classic cheeseburger should be, with a thick juicy patty, plenty of toppings and a golden brioche bun and flavours which sat well together. 

We shared an order of chilli cheese fries, stringy fries topped with a thick and hearty homemade chilli and grated cheese. The sweet potato fries were equally irresistible, thick crinkle cut fries which were perfect with the burgers.

You cannot have a traditional diner experience without having a milkshake with your burger and fries, so we selected two from the extensive list of milkshakes on the menu. My Oreolicious, with Oreos, chocolate sauce, whipped cream and crushed Oreos was a thick and creamy creation which had plenty of chocolate, whilst my dining companion chose the equally indulgent Million Dollar with Ferrero Rocher, strawberries, chocolate sauce, whipped cream and Cadbury’s Flake.

We could not leave without being tempted by the dessert menu, so we chose two to share. The Eminem waffle was fluffy and light, topped with crispy M&M’s and served with ice cream. It took us a while to finish this sweet treat but we conquered it together! The second dessert of chocolate brownie explosion sundae was a delight with vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce, crushed brownie and popping candy. This was a dreamy sundae and the popping candy added a fun touch. 

Archies does what it does really well, it is a fun and casual dining experience which is relaxing after a busy day. It is clear that plenty of thought has gone into the design, branding and menu development and the result is a place which feels fresh and different. The food is nothing like the generic fast food served at the chain brands we all recognise and the use of quality fresh produce is reflected in how good everything tastes. It is definitely an ideal place to head for when you are in the mood for a burger and a milkshake, in contemporary and fun surroundings. We had a great time, service was efficient and friendly and the vaguely 1950’s design aesthetic made me smile. I can imagine that Archies will expand with a lot more venues as there is definitely a gap in the market for a restaurant which serves satisfying burgers at realistic prices. I am looking forward to dropping in again now I have discovered the chicken Cheetos burger! 

Archies
Ranelagh Street,
Liverpool
L1 1JP
http://www.lovearchies.com/

What do you all think, do you like the idea of a diner style eatery which serves up towering and delicious burgers? As always I cannot wait to hear your thoughts and thank you so much for reading this post!

Until next time,


Camille

xo

Lunch at Host Liverpool...

Anyone who knows me is well aware how much I love going out for lunch. It is one of my favourite things to do as there is something slightly decadent about heading to a nice restaurant in the middle of the day. I adore Chinese and Japanese food, so I was pleased yesterday to get the opportunity to try a restaurant praised for its Pan-Asian fusion style of food with a menu which includes tantalising small plates and a ‘chop chop’ lunchtime express menu featuring large plates for just £7, a selection of healthy juices and cocktails.

Located in an area brimming with great restaurants, Host is nestled on the corner of Hope Street in the Georgian Quarter of Liverpool.

I have heard a lot about Host so when a lunch meeting was scheduled to take place there I was eager to try it out for the first time. The first thing which struck me about Host was how cool and contemporary it feels, with a large open space flooded with natural light, colourful tables and a stylish curved bar area.
I was so busy talking that it took ages before I even so much as glanced at the menu, but when I finally gave my voice a rest (!) and got around to reading the menu I was spoiled for choice. Small plates of crispy chilli chicken, tempura vegetables and butternut squash and pine nut gyoza all caught my eye, as did the delicious sounding main of stuffed mango chicken with Kung Po sauce and peanuts.

Despite this tempting choice, when I see chicken katsu curry on the menu anywhere I simply have to order it, so that was my selection. Meanwhile my dining companion chose a slightly modified version of the tomato and lentil curry with spinach and butternut squash. Amazing aromas filled the air and we sipped sparkling water and enjoyed the views of the stunning Georgian buildings on Hope Street, which is one of my favourite streets in Liverpool.

In no time the food arrived and my katsu was excellent with a large portion of panko breaded tender chicken in a delicate curry sauce which had a nice kick of spice at the end. The pickled vegetables added a great sharpness and the boiled rice was cooked to sticky perfection. I did not sample the tomato and lentil curry but it looked divine and it was colourful and aromatic.

I really enjoyed lunch at Host and I will definitely be back again soon to sample more of the impressive menu. My dining companion had to head off for another meeting, so I lingered on and I was made so welcome by the team who brought me coffee as I did some work for a couple of hours. 

All afternoon I watched as the busy kitchen sizzled up plenty of goodies and I had major food envy every time ‘service’ was called out! The vibe at Host is fun and fresh, the team is so friendly and the food is a perfect balance of subtle and bolder flavours. 

Thank goodness I had work to occupy me or I would definitely have ended up ordering more food!

What do you all think, do you like the idea of a Pan-Asian menu served in a bright and breezy restaurant and which of these dishes appeal to you? As always I cannot wait to hear your thoughts and thank you so much for reading this post!

Host 

31 Hope Street. 

Liverpool. 

L1 9HX

http://www.ho-st.co.uk/

Until next time,

Camille 

xo

New menu launch at Bretta & Co...

Last Friday I was lucky enough to receive an invitation to one of my favourite places in Liverpool Bretta & Co, for the launch of their new menu. Bretta & Co is a cool combination of a deli, wine merchant and restaurant and the food is a hearty and sophisticated take on modern European dining with classic dishes on the menu such as steaks sourced from Taylor’s and fresh fish as well as dishes such as panned duck egg and butternut squash ravioli.  

The wines at Bretta & Co are hand-picked by experts to give customers a choice of wines which they may not have experienced before. They really know their stuff about wine here and there is an amazing selection on offer to enjoy with your meal or to purchase in the deli to take home. Tucked away just off Bold Street in an area brimming with great restaurants, Bretta & Co is a real gem of a discovery with a charming cosy feel to the candlelit space and warm and friendly service from the team. Wooden chairs and tables overlook the open bar area which conjures up a New York ambience. 

We enjoyed such an amazing array of tasty treats during the evening including ham hock terrine with piccalilli, succulent oysters, croquettes and mini slider burgers created by Bretta & Co Head Chef Philip Lee. 

Later on there was an amazing patisserie tower of croque en bouche, one of my favourite desserts which consists of profiteroles filled with delicious cream. These were coated with spun sugar and decorated with strawberries and they were the work of Bretta and Co resident Pastry Chef Thomas. We also enjoyed exquisite Nutella brownies which were chewy and dense with the perfect amount of chocolate and Nutella flavour. Some of Thomas' other creations were on display such as this amazing pretzel and salted caramel cake!

Throughout the evening our glasses were topped up with delicious sparkling wine and we had a really good chat (and plenty of laughter) with our lovely hosts Gary and Bretta Adlen. I get on like a house on fire with them and all I do is smile when I visit Bretta & Co as they always make me feel like family. I would recommend anybody who has not visited Bretta & Co to dine there as soon as possible, as there is an array of mouthwatering options on the menu and some amazing offers too such as £15 for two courses on set evenings and delicious Sunday Roasts! 

The cheese counter at Bretta & Co is my idea of heaven and later on we ordered a cheeseboard to share with another round of drinks. The cheeses we tried were just exquisite, a creamy Lancashire, nutty cheddar and a rich smoked cheese all jostled for space on the board alongside a selection of crackers and a sweet little caramelised fig marmalade which was a treat with the cheeses. 

The desserts were sublime and it was so difficult to resist the gooey brownies and of course that amazing tower of croque en bouche! 

We had such an amazing time sampling the new menu at Bretta & Co and we were very spoiled with so many goodies as well as bags of treats to take home. Bretta & Co is a rare example of a restaurant which gets everything just right, from the food and service to the welcoming and homely ambience. It is always worth a visit here, whether for a long lingering meal or just a glass of one of the many excellent wines...and of course some cheese! Thank you very much to all at Bretta & Co for such a lovely night. What do you all think, do you like the idea of a restaurant which fuses with a deli concept offering fine food and wine? As always I cannot wait to hear your thoughts and thank you so much for reading this post! 

Bretta & Co 

5 Heathfield St,
Liverpool
L1 4AT




http://www.brettaandco.co.uk/




Until next time,


Camille

xo