An Edible Voyage

October 2021 If there's one thing that the Scilly Isles aren't short of, other than incredible views, endless white sand beaches and an abundance of turquoise sea, it's homemade cakes.  St Mary's is dotted with cafes, commandeering beautiful coastal views and hidden along woodland paths, and one could be forgiven for thinking there's a inter-cafe cake competition going on.   Having spent a very strenuous week sampling many of them, I can conclude that Longstone Cafe wins it for me.  Vegan lime and homegrown courgette sits alongside an ingenious banoffee cake - think banoffee pie but with a banana bread base, and the absolute star of the show, the simple but absolutely perfect Victoria Sponge - an enormous wedge of the lightest, fluffiest sponge, filled with strawberry jam and oozing a generous layer of whipped cream. Redruth roasted Cornish Coffee beans are used in the espresso based beverages, with milk steamed well to make a delicious flat white.  In the drink...

October 2021 Wherever I am, I'm all for living off whatever is locally produced or foraged, and if there's a sign for something homemade, I'm sold.  That's why I was a little apprehensive when my friend told me she had booked a tapas restaurant for our first night in the Scilly Isles.  As it turned out, it was a wonderful thing - the fresh from the sea fish I craved with a Spanish twist, and the added bonus of Mediterranean inspired mosaic tables along the beachfront.  What could be better than devouring a large slab of freshly caught flaky hake cooked with white wine, saffron, olives and almonds, whilst the sun warmed my face and boats bobbed on the sparkling turquoise sea mere metres from me? Other fish offerings include chermoula mackerel, and fried cod balls, and there are plenty of tapas classics, as well as twists on classics, to satisfy both carnivores and alternative diets.  Anchovy stuffed tortilla was another highlight for me.  Initially unsure whether...

June 2021 Tap Social is my current favourite brewery, with the Time Better Spent IPA my tipple of choice, and Cell Count pale ale a close second.  Their ethos is to provide employment opportunities for those who have been through the criminal justice system, so you can sip on your beer in the knowledge that you're doing some good for society.  Having been to their brewery in Botley a couple of times - a great space to meet friends and sample a variety of different beers, with rotating food trucks providing the eats, I was excited to hear that they had taken over the The White House pub on Abingdon Road.  Serving innovative sharing plates in a convivial atmosphere, think moorish soda bread made with their own stout, and playful grilled peach with frozen feta and black olive, there's an enormous garden for when the sun is out, and no shortage of bike racks. Their own beer is on draft, as well as rotating guest beers.  I would more than happily spend a lazy afternoon si...

May 2021 Every day for 2 years I cycled past the Killingworth Castle in Wootton and never thought much of it.  It was only when a friend of mine recommended The Ebrington Arms in Gloucestershire that I found out these are sister pubs, and not only that, are some of the most highly acclaimed (and supposedly most Instagramable, although I'm not sure who's judging!) pubs in the Cotswolds. After several Covid induced postponements, my mum and I finally made it there one sunny Friday evening, meaning we got to enjoy the beautiful garden with it's sunning, far-reaching Cotswold views.  I rekon it would be lovely in the winter too - the inside looked so cosy with warmth and comfort emanating from the wood paneling. I quite often find I'm a little underwhelmed by the food at high end establishments, generally preferring simple, homely fare that has been cooked exceptionally, to rich, elegantly presented plates.  The Ebrington Arms was an exception. When my mum and I eat out, we...

April 2021 A friend who recently moved to Bollington has excitedly been telling me about No 74 Delicatessen whenever she embarks on a trip for treats (which seems to be at ever decreasing intervals during lockdown!), so it was inevitable that during my post-lockdown visit to the Peak District, No 74 would be on the agenda.   This is one of those places that's excellent at everything - milk is expertly steamed for the espresso based coffee; interesting sandwiches are fresh, flavoursome and served on chunky rolls advertised as made from flour, water, salt and nothing else; cakes are exquisite - towering layers of airy sponge sit alongside zesty lemon squares and Malteaser tiffin; and Happy Belly supply delicious sweet potato and feta scotch eggs with soft, golden yolks. Turn up with several bags! No 74 is the kind of place where you go in for a coffee and come out with all manner of local produce.  Beers from Manchester micro-breweries, black garlic ketchup, bean to bar cho...

September 2020 Whilst on a leisurely weekend bike ride from Maenclochog to Newport, through the beautiful Cwm Gwaun valley in north Pembrokeshire, my friend, a born and bred local, suddenly announced that he thought we were approaching Bessie.  Bessie?! Tell me more! It transpired that the characterful land lady of the Dyffryn Arms in Pontfaen, Bessie, is quite the legend, and the pub is now somewhat of an institution, with beer served in jugs from the parlour of an old farmhouse as it has been by Bessie and her family since the 1840s.  Of course we had to pay a visit! A must stop on any trip through Cwm Gwaun.  Find the Dyffryn Arms on the roadside in Pontfaen. 

November 2020 My father and his partner are big fans of Scotland, making regular trips there (when Covid permits).  As soon as they arrive, weary from a long journey, my father's priority is too find a fireside arm chair in a cosy pub and enjoy a pint of Trade Winds from the Cairngorm Brewery.  Then when he returns home, he turns up with a car boot full of it to last him until the next trip.  Consequently, when I found myself in Aviemore (to get a bicycle puncture fixed), I had to pay a visit to the brewery, both to replenish his supplies as well as to see what all the fuss is about!  Enjoying a bottle of Trade Winds back at my hotel later on, I had to admit it was pretty tasty.  A light golden ale made with wheat, it bursts with citrus and elderflower flavours making it incredibly refreshing.   I also sampled the Black Gold, a multi-award winning stout with a smooth sweetness and dry finish, which my father swears is the secret ingredient to the best ...

 August 2019 Porto’s iconic monster sandwich.  A meat lover’s heaven, an artery’s hell.  A Croque Madame on steroids.  Ham, juicy steak and a couple of sausages for good measure, stuffed between two slices of bread, topped with melting cheese, smothered in a rich spiced tomato and beer sauce, and crowned with a fried egg.  With restaurants and bars vying for the best Francesinha in Porto, I was keen to taste one of these beasts, but also slightly intimidated by the sight of it – it’s definitely one to share with a friend (or 3!).  It was a little mono-textured and bland for my liking, but it’s an experience not to be missed when spending a few days in the home of the francesinha.   Find it at most restaurants and bars in Porto, although I highly recommend Cervejaria Brasao.  Popular with tourists and locals alike, this brew house has a buzzing vibe and brews their own selection of beer to accompany high quality food – even the complimentary brea...

June 2020 On Iffley Road there sits an unassuming cafe; one that I had never noticed.  I searched it out after a friend mentioned the delicious food, excellent coffee, and lovely light, airy setting with a garden out the back.  It's now my favourite breakfast in Oxford.  A short menu means that every dish is executed to an exceptional standard.  I love the concept of Eton mess pancakes with crunchy meringue shards and mint syrup, and sourdough French toast with elderflower custard and roasted gooseberries sounds heavenly.   My favourite dish so far is the Full Silvie.  Not usually a huge fan of the Full English, I was a little sceptical, but it turned out to be one of my all time best breakfasts.  Sausage meat wrapped in bacon, and cheddar and greens toasted loaf both looked heavy going but were actually deliciously light, and the fennel seed roasted tomatoes and mushrooms added a whole new flavour dimension.  I believe it's the sign ...