Lent 2017...let's be having you!

Today, Tuesday 28 February, is Shrove Tuesday, which, of course, means pancakes. However, it also means that the period of Lent is upon us.

While we all love the chance to stuff our faces until we’re ready to burst with delicious, crispy crepes lathered in all our favourite toppings, I’m more concerned about the fact that it’s my final day of indulgence before I begin the annual forty day ‘fast’.

For the last 10 years, I’ve scarified my two favourite things in the world for the six and a half weeks between Pancake Day and Easter Sunday: chocolate and cakes. There are few things in life which bring me more joy than my mid-afternoon slice of cake and a cup of tea, and I spend many an evening eating munching chocolate in front of the telly. Throughout this decade of being disciplined in the run-up to Easter, I can honestly say it’s never become any easier. 

But that’s exactly what it’s supposed to be: a challenge. There are some days when I know I’ll be an emotional wreck, desperate for even a whiff of chocolate, dreaming of all the things I’m going to eat when it’s over. However, it’s a small sacrifice to make. Whilst I’m not a religious person, I think it’s important to remember that Lent symbolises the forty days that Jesus Christ spent fasting in the desert. Having to go without food for forty days makes sacrificing my daily piece of cake disappear into insignificance. What it does, though, is help you to realise exactly how lucky you are to be able to eat whatever you want, whenever you want it. And it’s the strongest test of will-power I can think of.

If you’ve never taken part in Lent before, I strongly recommend you give it a go. Pick one of your favourite treats and see if you can go without it. It’s only temporary and the self-satisfaction you will achieve from it is amazing. 

So, on this Shrove Tuesday, I’ll enjoy my pancakes with Nutella, followed by a Creme Egg, which is always my final bit of indulgence before the ‘fast’ begins. And tomorrow...well, I’ll be incredibly grumpy.

Come on Lent 2017...let’s be having you! 

Quote of the Week - Week commencing Monday 27 February 2017

"I just don't want to look back and think 'I could've eaten that.'"

Author unknown 

Ivano's

Higher Lane, Whitefield

This week, I popped into local Italian restaurant Ivano’s. Previously called Angelo’s, this small, independent Italian has been a seemingly popular fixture on Higher Lane in Whitefield for the last few years. I’m not entirely sure why it hasn’t appealed to me before. I think the location put me off for starters, and I imagined it to be canteen-style in nature. However, I’ll try anywhere once and, having heard some, quite frankly, raving reviews about this little place, I thought it was high time I gave it a go.

I’m so glad I did, as I was pleasantly surprised by the whole experience. On a Wednesday night, it was quiet, as to be expected, but it was peaceful and relaxing. I’ve walked past on an almost daily basis for years now, and it feels much bigger when you’re on the inside. The tables are quite close together, given the size of the place, so I can imagine you’d feel like you were sitting on top of other parties if it was packed out. Luckily for us, that didn’t matter.

During the week, they do two special offers, an Early Bird and an Early Diner menu, both offering three courses for a set price. We opted for the Early Bird menu, which allows you to choose from a selection of traditional yet basic Italian starters, and indulge in any pizza, pasta or risotto from the a la carte menu for main course. It makes a change to be given so much choice on a set menu. Normally, it’s rather restrictive, and your decision is often made for you, given that there are only a couple of things that tickle your fancy. 

To start, I had garlic mushrooms. Rather than the popular, deep-fried version of the mushrooms, covered in cheese and doused in breadcrumbs, they were cooked in garlic butter, making for a delicious and healthy alternative. It may have looked rather amateurish, resembling a snack from a cafeteria, served with a retro side salad reminiscent of something from the 80s, with a notable absence of the more contemporary rocket leaves and balsamic vinegar, but it tasted delicious. It was a very generous portion too, which is always a bonus.

Garlic mushrooms

For main course, I had Tagliatelle Pavarotti, a deliciously creamy pasta dish consisting of ham, mushrooms, onions, garlic, tomatoes and cream. This concoction was exactly how I like my pasta to be: rich, creamy and full of flavour. It must have been an ample portion, as I felt fed, full and firmly satisfied by the time I’d finished, although it didn’t stop me wanting to lick the bowl clean. There was nothing cafeteria about this, it was top-notch Italian cuisine, and ridiculously good considering it was part of such a reasonable offer. 

Tagliatelle Pavarotti

You’re given the choice of rounding off your three-courser with the ‘Sweet of the Day’, tea or coffee. The ‘Sweet of the Day’ actually turned out to be a choice of three classics: chocolate fudge cake, vanilla cheesecake or profiteroles. For me, it was a no-brainer: cheesecake wins, hands down. It was a stodgy, American-style cheesecake, but had a creamy taste, however, I was confused by the fact that it was baked into a pastry case, rather than onto a biscuit base, so not a traditional cheesecake. I fail to understand why, as it served no advantage. The small scoop of ice cream splattered on the side didn’t help to subdue the stodge, as it had a strange, gloopy texture. Not sure I can explain that one, which is perhaps a good thing. 

Vanilla cheesecake drizzled with toffee sauce

Ivano’s plays host to regular tribute nights at the weekend, paying homage to some of the country’s most popular artists. Having been impressed with the food, I’m keen to give the Olly Murs night a go on Friday 31 March.

All in all, Ivano’s is a cosy little Italian, which provides great food in relaxed, casual and friendly surroundings. The Early Bird menu offers superb value for money, making it the perfect place for an affordable, top quality midweek teatime treat that won’t break the bank. If you’re after something a little more upmarket, the Early Diner menu offers English meat and fish dishes at a slighter higher price of £16.90 per person. At lunch time, you can enjoy any pizza or pasta for just £5.95, meaning you can enjoy a cheap and cheerful meal at any time of the day.

The full menu can be viewed online at:

http://www.ivanos.co.uk/

Afternoon Tea at Liberty Cake Company

The Rock, Bury

Afternoon tea is one of my favourite British customs  and has an incredibly long history. It heralds all the way back to the 1840s, when it was invented by the upper classes as a light meal to bridge a gap between lunch and dinner, consumed typically between 4 and 6 o’clock.

Fast forward to 2017 and it’s still as popular as ever, with many modern twists on the classic sandwiches and scones now available. There are few things in life more enjoyable than tea and cake, so I’m sure you can imagine I’ve sampled a fair few versions of this particular afternoon delight. In general, I do tend to find it overpriced for what it actually is. At most places, you’ll achieve far better value for money if you order your lunch followed by a cake, in comparison to the selection of miniatures you receive on your cake stand. 

Liberty Cake Company proves the exception to this theory. Whilst many cafes and hotels charge upwards of £20 for an afternoon tea (you can expect to pay much more if you opt for a glass of champagne or prosecco which are now common accompaniments), this quaint little teashop on The Rock in Bury offers a superb afternoon tea for just £13.95 per person.

Liberty Cake Company's afternoon tea

I was most impressed with how much was included in the price.  First off, you could choose your own sandwich fillings, which cleverly widens the appeal. Afternoon tea is viewed by many as slightly pretentious, and the sandwiches often contain unusual fillings, so being given the choice is guaranteed to attract more custom. However, the fillings are plain and simple, your average day-to-day lunchtime choices. I would have preferred something a little more adventurous, but they were, in fact, delicious, oozing with tuna mayonnaise and egg mayonnaise. Cut into the traditional triangle shape, the bread was soft and fluffy, without the dry, curly edges.

We were eased gently into the sweet side with a scone, served with jam and clotted cream. The scone was served exactly as a scone should be: lukewarm with a crunchy outside, albeit without any fruit.

The cakes on Liberty’s Traditional Afternoon Tea were a mini Victoria sponge cupcake, a small lemon meringue cupcake, a chocolate brownie, a chocolate-dipped strawberry and a slice of cheesecake, which you could also choose from a range of five different flavours. I opted for white chocolate with milk chocolate chips. The cupcakes were a very generous size, a good four or five mouthfuls worth. 

The lemon meringue cupcake was delightfully zingy, with the soft, gooey layer of meringue on the top melting into the middle. I’m not normally a fan of chocolate cheesecake, as I tend to find it’s a combination that doesn’t and shouldn’t mix, however, this white chocolate cheesecake was a lovely flavour, and perfectly tipped the balance of chocolate and cheesecake without being overly rich and sickly.

Included in the price was any hot or cold drink from the menu, of your choice, refreshing given that normally on an afternoon tea you’re limited to good old English Breakfast or standard coffee; though, with the amount of cake, you’re bound to find yourself gasping for a second round. 

Liberty’s afternoon tea was one of the best I’ve ever had the pleasure of experiencing. It offers incredibly good value for money at just £13.95, and proves that charging upwards of £20, as many other places do, is completely unnecessary. There’s plenty of choice too, and something to please everyone, as they also offer children’s, gentleman’s and gluten-free afternoon teas, as well as a chocolate one for serious chocoholics.

 Liberty Cake Company is an island of calm within Bury’s busy town centre, and makes for a relaxing mid-shopping pit-stop. If you don’t fancy going the whole hog, they also offer a range of freshly prepared sandwiches and an impressive selection of cupcakes, with flavours changing daily. 

For more information on the range of afternoon teas available, visit: 

http://www.libertycakecompany.co.uk/

One Eighty Eight

Bury New Road, Whitefield

Whitefield’s latest new eating establishment, One Eighty Eight, is a modern, stylish bistro that brings Manchester city centre to the suburbs. A restaurant which focuses entirely on British cuisine is a rarity in the modern world, with Italian, Chinese and Indian now generally more popular when it comes to dining out, so I’m absolutely delighted to have delicious home cuisine so close to my very own home.

Co-owner David Gale is an acclaimed chef, having previously been the head honcho in the kitchen at the city centre’s Hilton Hotel, as well as spending time at London’s Soho House. He’s even had dalliances across the pond, in both New York and Las Vegas. Now, he’s well and truly come home, having recently moved to the local area, creating One Eighty Eight with friend and business partner Lee Richardson. 

Gale’s mission was simple: to bring fine-dining to the local area, encouraging hungry city centre dwellers to venture out into the suburbs to enjoy quality food. He wanted to serve simple, accessible food at the right price, creating a restaurant that diners would be able to return to, month after month, without breaking the bank.

His mission is well and truly accomplished. One Eighty Eight is a refreshingly different local restaurant. Comfortable yet classy, with a varied and carefully selected menu, it’s a welcome addition to the area’s ever-expanding restaurant scene, making for a thoroughly enjoyable meal at any time of the day. 

Gale’s menu claims to work in partnership with local and regional suppliers, as was proven by my starter of choice. I had pan roast scallops with peas and Bury black pudding. This famous local delicacy is not something I’d ever considered myself to be a fan of, but the roasted black pudding had a delicious texture and has gone a long way to changing my opinion. It’s an unorthodox accompaniment to the deliciously juicy scallops, which were nestled delicately on a bed of peas. £8.50 may seem a little steep for a starter, but scallops are expensive, and in this case you are, most certainly, paying for quality.

Pan roast scallops with peas and Bury black pudding

For main course, I had roast chicken, stacked on a bed of cubed sweet potato and creamed mushrooms, with spinach puree. It sounds like a mish mash of flavours, but it really was inspired. Every mouthful made my taste buds zing, the rich flavours complementing each other perfectly. The chicken was succulent and juicy, the sweet potato was cooked so that it was soft and tender but not quite mashed, and the Portobello mushrooms were drizzled with truffle oil. The dish was topped with crispy kale, one of the super foods of the moment.  The portions are not huge, so side dishes are necessary. I ordered roasted broccoli with hazelnuts; so simple, yet so tasty. It added yet another dimension of flavour to my plate, and actually went very well with the spinach puree. Most of the side dishes are £3.50 each, so if you’re tempted to order more than one, it quickly adds a significant chunk to your bill.

Roast chicken with creamed mushrooms, sweet potato and spinach puree

A selection of the traditional British desserts available includes seasonal fruit crumble, apple tart and the lesser spotted Eccles cake. I opted for the lemon cheesecake, my all-time favourite, however I was disappointed to find that it was, in fact, a deconstructed version. I wouldn’t have had a problem with this if it had been advertised as such, rather than being promoted as a traditional cheesecake. The biscuit was more like a crumble, which would make a gorgeous base, but the cheesecake filling, scooped on top, had a texture resembling yoghurt, and almost reminded me of a cheesecake that hadn’t quite been left to set for long enough. The balls of limoncello sorbet were tangy and flavoursome, but the lemon would have been much better on top of the cheesecake, rather than in the hardened, frozen form. I wasn’t at one with the concept and the dessert wasn’t my favourite. 

'Deconstructed' lemon cheesecake

Overall, One Eighty Eight offers top quality food at a reasonable price, with everything you would expect of a city centre restaurant a lot closer to home. The staff were friendly and welcoming, the service was quick and attentive and the food was exemplary.  

Gale came out into the restaurant to talk to us as we were eating our main courses. He asked for our opinion on the food, whether or not we were local to the area and told us how he, himself, has just recently moved to Whitefield. It’s this kind of personal touch that places One Eighty Eight a cut above the rest. I appreciate his passion for food; his skill and creative flair is apparent in his tasty dishes, all of which were beautifully presented. 

Now into its third week, One Eighty Eight appears to be proving very popular. They open for breakfast every day from 10.00 am, and offer a range of mouth-wateringly scrumptious sounding sandwiches for lunch. They also boast a suave bar space for customers who just want to enjoy a drink, with a range of sophisticated ‘small plates’ available as bar snacks, including fish goujons and honey and mustard glazed chipolatas.

One Eight Eight’s fine cuisine caters for all times of the day, and I’m thrilled to welcome this exciting new restaurant to my local area.

Quote of the Week - Week commencing Monday 20 February 2017

"The only thing I like better than talking about food is eating."

John Walters 

Northern Crafthouse

Bury New Road, Whitefield

Northern Crafthouse is a new Mexican/American bar and restaurant that has opened in the centre of Whitefield, following the closure Montecristo, the lacklusture tapas bar that sadly never managed to take off. Northern Crafthouse brings a new concept to Whitefield, where we now have just about every cuisine we could possibly ask for.

American diners are becoming increasingly popular, what with the likes of Almost Famous and Solita trying to out-do each other when it comes to producing the best burgers. Now we have another competitor on our doorstep, as Northern Crafthouse offers a selection of burgers and hot dogs alongside traditional Mexican street food choices of tacos and burritos.

When I first arrived, the welcome was unfriendly, as there were no members of staff by the door to greet you or instruct you to sit down. Okay, it’s a casual restaurant and bar, and soon I realised that you could take a seat wherever you wanted, but considering the establishment is in its infancy, you would think the staff would have gone a little more out of their way to explain this. There are plenty of spacious, comfortable tables, including large booth seating at the back, making it the perfect place to enjoy cocktails with a group of friends later in the evening. Menus, cutlery, napkins and condiments are already laid out on the tables, whilst food is ordered alongside drinks at the bar.

As I’ve had burgers in countless number of places, I fancied something a little out of my comfort zone, so I opted for the chicken burrito, consisting of buttermilk chicken, rice, stealth fries, sour cream, onions, pepper, cajun mayo, mango salsa and ‘guacamayo’. It was a fair sized burrito, crammed full with large, succulent pieces of fried chicken and all the usual fillings, though I’m not quite sure where the ‘stealth’ in the ‘stealth fries’ came from. Decorated with peppers and salsa and heavily drizzled with sour cream, it looked incredibly appetising and was very flavoursome.

Chicken burrito

My vegetarian dining companion had the halloumi burger, with flat mushroom, gem lettuce, red onion, pickle, ketchup and burger sauce. It looked exactly how a burger should, piled high and deliciously yummy. However, I’m firmly of the opinion that a burger should always come with fries, but, sadly, in a modern American diner, fries are often an optional extra. It’s detrimental to the burger, which looks significantly less impressive when it’s lost in the middle of an otherwise empty plate.

Halloumi burger and dusted fries

‘If fries come at an extra cost, I’m going to push the boat out and try something a little different’, was the way in which my train of thought travelled. The chilli cheese fries were out of this world. A basket of fries covered in tasty Chilli Con Carne, pico de gallo, topped with melted cheddar cheese and chipotle sour cream; they brought a whole new meaning to the term ‘loaded fries’. My taste buds were zinging.

Chilli cheese fries

It was a side dish that was almost the same size as my main course. It would work much better to share between two, but as my friend was vegetarian I was (ah hem) forced to eat the whole lot. Naturally, it wasn’t so much of a struggle. They were also very reasonably priced, at just £4. Considering the regular fries are £2.50, the loaded option is a no-brainer.

I was positively stuffed after demolishing the burrito and the fries, but this wasn’t an issue as the only desserts available are the American staples of pancakes and waffles, which are not really my thing, especially not after a stodgy meal. They come with a variety of toppings; granted, the chocolate option, consisting of crushed oreos and marshmallows, sounds appealing, but I caught glimpse of some of the pancakes being brought out and I didn’t feel like I was missing out on anything. I have a very sweet tooth, and desserts are massively important part of dining out for me, so I do feel expanding the dessert menu would certainly be a way for the joint to improve.

The drinks are as reasonably priced as the food, and, as the name suggests, Northern Crafthouse boasts an impressive array of craft beers and an extensive range of quirky cocktails, many of which have unique twists, such as being served in a bathtub or a china cup and saucer. As a non-drinker, I was disappointed to be told that they didn’t stock tap water, a definitive sign that they are more of a bar serving food than a proper restaurant.

I certainly wouldn’t hesitate in returning to Northern Crafthouse, especially to sample their delicious-looking burgers and hotdogs. With a brunch menu also served between 10.00 am and 12.30 pm, it’s an all-day establishment designed to appeal to people of all ages, whether you’re looking for a hearty breakfast, some comfort food after work or wanting to kick-start a night out on the town. 

Quote of the Week - Week commencing Monday 13 February 2017

"Food is for eating, and good food is to be enjoyed...I think food is, actually, very beautiful in itself."

Delia Smith 

Quick Cake Stop

Sadly, it's not always possible to eat out all the time. However, cafe culture is an integral part of today's society, and I believe it's very important to set aside time for a quick cake stop. 

This week, my sugar fix came courtesy of Slattery, the incredible chocolatier and patissier in Whitefield, Manchester. It's a semi-regular haunt of mine; I can't get enough of the place.

Here, I indulged in a lemon meringue slice; a tasty hybrid between a lemon meringue pie and a traditional drizzle cake. 

It was a tasty lemon drizzle sponge complete with toasted hazelnuts, a layer of cream in the middle and topped with zingy lemon curd and crisp, crunchy meringue pieces which melted away in your mouth. 

Quote of the Week - Week commencing Monday 6 February 2017

"People who love to eat are always the best people."

Julia Child