An Edible Voyage

June 2021 Cardiff holds a special place in my heart, it being the city of my student years.  So when I was invited to a wedding there, I decided this was a great opportunity for a reminiscent trip. Back when I was a student, I didn't even like coffee (I do wonder how I survived being a student without!) but I had a feeling that in this day and age, Cardiff would have some pretty great roasters.  I started off at Brodies.  They have a cafe, Bricks and Mortar, on North Road but since it was a lovely sunny morning I headed to their cabin in Gorsedd Gardens to enjoy my flat white in the dappled light of the cooling trees.  There's a surprisingly large selection of sweet treats for such a dinky hut, and they also sell boxes of plant-based Patissiere Thibault Courtoisier's macarons. Next I delved in to the arcades.  I love how arcades always feel like a bit of a secret, and how you never know what exciting shop or interesting boutique you'll find around the next corne...

May 2021 My friend's parents have a flat in Salcombe so I've been lucky enough to spend several lovely weeks there over the years.  I've never found a place there that I really love - it almost feels like places know they will always be packed just from the sheer number of of visitors so they don't need to rely heavily on repeat business. On my most recent trip there, I investigated the then newly opened The Salcombe Yawl, and it did stand out from the crowd.  The friendly staff are chatty and there was a fun vibe - it being Covid times with contactless payments and social distancing, they'd designed an ingenius payment system involving a card machine stuck to a badminton racket which is poked out of the hatch. Whilst the milk in my flat white was sadly a bit Mr Whippyesque, I did like that they use Voyager Coffee beans, roasted just down the road in Buckfasleigh, and French hot chocolate.  Sandwich options are creative, mixing things up from the standard fillings a...

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 ...

November 2020 A cheese pantry was not what I expected to find down a track off the road between Inverness airport and the city, but a welcome find it was indeed.  Entering a small cafe and delicatessen selling all manner of crackers, oat cakes and chutneys, as well as cheese toasties, cakes and coffee, I had a fantastic view of the cheese production through the glass wall.  Then it got better - hidden in the corner of the deli is a door, through which I found myself in the most incredible cheese 'cave'.  Walls and walls of cheese, both locally made and from further afield, a real cheese lover's delight!  Some of the cheeses are made on the farm, such as the 12-15 month matured Connage Cheddar, and the Connage Gouda - a deliciously rich and creamy cheese with a flavour profile unlike Dutch Gouda due to differences in the grazing land.  Connage Farm also have a smokery.  Having never heard of a smoked brie before, I had to try it.  Firmer than traditiona...

June 2020 Nestled in a pretty, narrow street on the Northern end of the centre of Oxford, among quaint pubs and hanging baskets of colourful flowers, is 2 North Parade.  A tiny but inviting blue shop front leads to a bounty of local produce.  The sweetest local farm strawberries, a vast selection of British cheeses from the very best producers, milk and yogurt from North Aston Farm, all manner of vegetables, Gatineau pastries and quiches, Cotswold beer, and sourdough loaves from both Hamblin Bread and Sourdough Revolution.  And with friendly, passionate and knowledgeable about all things quality produce owners, this the place to come to stock up for a picnic feast.  Find it on North Parade, Oxford 

May 2020 Think of the stickiest, meatiest, most tender rack ribs, so big you can only fit two thirds on your disposable BBQ for an impromptu dinner in the park...  Think of the freshest, zingiest ceviche with the juiciest pieces of plaice... Think of brioche rolls bursting with sweet, tender lobster... Find all of these edible delights at D'Ambrosi deli in Stow-on-the-Wold.