An Edible Voyage

April 2021 For a town as small as Lerwick, I didn't expect to come across a place as exciting as Island Larder.  Working with sustainable producers who use the highest quality of ingredients, the deli showcases the best of Scottish food and drink, alongside which they make their own artisan fudge, chocolate and ice cream.  The ice cream is definitely one not to miss! Whatever the weather, even if it means having to have a hot drink afterwards to warm up, it's a must try.  Made in the building with 100% Shetland milk and cream, flavours change with the seasons and the maker's mood! I tried the incredible chilli chocolate which was so intensely dark and not at all sickly, with just a hint of chilli to balance the richness.   Even the hot chocolate goes the extra mile with the marshmallows torched to order. If it's something savoury you're after, choose from gourmet fish finger butties with the freshest local haddock in the crispest batter, daily changing soup, or ...

September 2020 In the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park is a beautiful long sandy beach and top surf spot.   Just up above the beach, there is a colourful little boat, serving up delicious, unusual and fresh from sea to plate fare.   Why not give weekend brunch a coastal twist with a fish butty?   Freshly caught each day, the fish could be anything from mackerel to plaice to coley.   But whatever the sea lucky dip offers up, it’s sure to be the freshest fish pan fried to order and served in a bun with the famous KelpChup (a ketchup type condiment made from locally foraged seaweed), homemade pickles and seaweed chilli sauce.   Then take a stroll down to the rocks to eat whilst being serenaded by the crashing waves, or get the wind in your hair as you walk across the cliff tops and explore the seaweed drying hut. Find Café Mor in the car park at Freshwater West beach.   They also serve bacon butties, meat and veggie black bean burgers, and crab and lobster ...

January 2017 Menus in Russia often include dishes using meats we would never dream of eating in the UK. Bear burgers, a little sweeter than venison but with a very course texture. Beaver sausages, a similar flavour to pork, with a liver-like tang.

February 2020 Something slightly odd sounding, like Pigs Trotter Nuggets, always jumps out at me on a menu, and I'm glad these did.  Biting through the crispest breadcrumbs revealed soft, full flavoured meat, delicious with a scoop of creamy, lemony cod roe puree, and the salty pops of capers. Find it at The Old Butchers, Stow-on-the-Wold, UK.  They also do a delicious soft shell crab burger, well worth a sample.

March 2020 London's best burger?  I'd say so!  Finger-lickingly good, messy, truffle mayo oozing out.  Fig jam in a burger? Genius!  The beef and smoked bacon patty is full flavoured, meaty and perfectly pink; the brioche roll soft; the crispy shallots adding some crunch.  This is a luxurious burger, naughty but nice, where the truffle actually comes through (unlike many of its counterparts).  The only bad point, the raclette cheese is totally overpowered so you wouldn't even know it was there.  Which begs the question, is it even needed?  Find it at Truffle Burger, Seven Dials Market, London

February 2020 Anywhere else this would be textures of chestnut.    A miniature chestnut crème brulee works fantastically well to give a subtle variation on a traditional dessert, and features alongside a miniature chestnut tart and madeleine.    Use the chestnut brittle and smears of the sticky, sweet crème de marron to balance the delicious, almost savoury chestnut ice cream – a real highlight of the dish for me.    Find it at La Montagnard in St Martin de Belleville, a cosy restaurant in a converted barn with an intimate atmosphere and cheerful staff.    They also do a fantastic burger topped with local cheese.