Phoenix Magazine Restaurants;
Author
Eileen M Shinners
Restaurant Critic - United Kingdom - Universal
Author
Eileen M Shinners
Restaurant Critic - United Kingdom - Universal
Restaurants;
Best Restaurant Journey around the UK
Best Restaurant Journey around the UK
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Grange-Over-Sands & Cartmel
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A stopover in Grange; testing my mental health for sure.
From Grange to Cartmel; A visit to Rogan & Co - Fine dining at it's finest. One deserve some pleasures in life and the dining here is just that. Every restaurant of Simon Rogan's is worth a visit. You will not be disappointed.
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A visit to any restaurant of Simon's will be on the menu very soon. An experiment of taste with a mixture of love. I do love it when a chef puts heart and soul into making their food taste so divinely. For the love of the culinary tastes.
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Jamie's Italian - Caffe Concerto
Stratford Westfield
Zizzi Restaurant O2 London
Stratford Westfield
Zizzi Restaurant O2 London
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This was the second time for me to have lunch at Jamie's Italian. The last time I gave a brilliant review, as the food is really tasty. Worth a visit. All that is missing is some good old Crooners music. Again the music was missing. Sumaia who had travelled from Spain to see me. Lunch was served, a salad, crab pasta, Prosecco, and water. Served with a smile. It wasn't as pro-active as last time. But the food was delicious. Moving to the next part of the day which was opposite Caffe Concerto. Both of us took the slow two minute walk to this caffe, not too far. Ordering Champagne, fruit salad, and a chocolate cake. Home made, no I don't feel so, but it was delicious whoever made it, I was in the mood for creamy chocolate cake with a glass of Champagne which made the chocolate taste even better. The mixture of both food, and drink I enjoyed, the service was attentive, but the waitress kept chasing the waiter. Leaving with a fresh view on life, we decided to shop. |
Zizzi Restaurant - O2 London
The O2 Arena was my next journey - Meeting my Justin, and Debbie. Zizzi was the restaurant, stepping inside; it was empty, a seat of our choice. And so to begin, Italian, we always find the Italian. All of us had different starters, and mains. Mine Calamares fritos, and main Sea Bass with herby potatoes, and green beans. Justin had Prawns, main Chicken with herby potatoes, and green beans. Debbie, Formaggio, with Bread, main a dish with herbie, bread Italian style. All was certainly tasty, a glass of Prosecco, and a laugh with family. My family time.
Villagio - Chatham - Kent
The Ship Inn - Upnor - Rochester - Kent
The Ship Inn - Upnor - Rochester - Kent
Villagio Italian Restaurant - Chatham Kent - A visit for dinner, a time to eat. A welcome for sure, and the apparent notice of being looked after. Gin & Tonic, an aperitif, and then to starters. We shared as I wanted to try everything. Meatballs, Halloumi Cheese, all especially good. Then to the Main, mine was the Lasagne, tasty for sure. A Cheesecake for Dessert, and I watched as the insanity begin. Small minds, play games.
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Family lunch, and the happy days of making memories and some. All in a day around Upnor and the Ship Inn. Rochester Kent.
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Out of Covid; into the Restaurants
& Life Begins
& Life Begins
Well here we are out of the Covid situation and waiting for the favourite restaurants to open the doors to the food of our choice. Of course mine is fine dining, but yours maybe different. In my search pf my favourite restaurants I have enjoyed many and decided some are worth a return journey and some are not.
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So my life has been of the journey of fine foods, beautiful cakes and puddings. Coffee and Tea served in the finest of ways that I could do nothing but enjoy. France for me is always a delight; Auberge de Combes, Cordes sur ciel, L'Ortensia St Gervais sur Mare and Aux P'tits Auge Cannes all have delighted me with their culinary delights, I am blessed in such a journey of the arts. New York in Cannes gave a potatoes taste with truffles. A little piece of France is in the Lake District and that is L'Eclume a fine dining restaurant that to sit and watch as a magical art of serving you as their guest becomes apparent. The food is of it's own taste of refinement. A French Classic.
Sampan Restaurant - Manchester Crown Plaza
Manchester Crown Plaza and the Sampan restaurant is one of my favourite oriental places. They know who I am and how to make sure I am not disturb in any way. Off on holiday this is the place to eat the night before.
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I started eating before I realised that a photo was needed. This restaurant is quiet, tasty and relaxing. Worth going back for, time and time again. It is a favourite of mine.
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Where to next, I have had the pleasure of dining in many places and visiting many countries that have wonderful cultures that we need to respect. We are on our way to Barbados it's just part of the journey, that pathway to find what life has to offer.
The Atlantis Restaurant; eat as much as you want, well sometimes you just have to do just that. The Cliff Restaurant we found food that came at a price, very popular with the wealthy and famous. Port St Charles was the yacht club with a difference, lunch with a few glasses of bubbly. The views were somewhat special. The special hotel was Coral Reef Club which was close to the sea. It was such a beautiful place and classy with it. The food was somewhat different. Barbados has a beautiful magical way and the people are friendly. Well most of them are. Very expensive food shopping. Imported goods.
The Atlantis Restaurant; eat as much as you want, well sometimes you just have to do just that. The Cliff Restaurant we found food that came at a price, very popular with the wealthy and famous. Port St Charles was the yacht club with a difference, lunch with a few glasses of bubbly. The views were somewhat special. The special hotel was Coral Reef Club which was close to the sea. It was such a beautiful place and classy with it. The food was somewhat different. Barbados has a beautiful magical way and the people are friendly. Well most of them are. Very expensive food shopping. Imported goods.
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We move on in time and the journey down South brought a memory and a visit to place of tasting and chat, chat, chatting. The Ship Inn and the Kings Arms, both were places that kept a secret. But the food was tasty, the views were of the harbour. Moving onto another harbour venue The Jetty Restaurant in the Harbour Hotel Southampton. Moving through onwards and upwards. The Cruise Ship Azura; Epicurean Restaurant; Afternoon Tea and Dinner this was the life. But there was something missing in freedom, nothing to do with the cruise that was run in a professional way. But to do with Stalkers.
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Milsoms & The Tolbooth are both favourite places to eat. I am lucky to have such a life of luxury where food is concerned. My friend Gillian and I used to have lunch in these places when she was alive. Memories they do seem to catch us sometimes.
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Simon Rogan at Home
LEnclume Cartmel Cumbria
LEnclume Cartmel Cumbria
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Food delivered to my door from my favourite restaurant. A date meal with a choice of Companion and which Bear would I choose? I have a good selection of choice to choose from. The meal arrived quite smartly and quickly. Now people I am not going to take all evening to design something that my favourite chef's place in front of me at the restaurant. That I look forward to and enjoy when I have a meal at a restaurant. I am here to taste as that is the most important part of a meal.
Arthur had decided which of his friends were going to enjoy dinner tonight. Arthur, Antony, Finn and Harry were going to sit at the table. The meal at the door and each separate boxes of food came with some surprises of taste and perfection. |
The numbers 1 to 16 were there to pull a meal together and I had completed the starter in great time. Turnip and Kale with Dulse. A combination of crispness and heat to allow my palette to understand how to find each taste of every bud and experience from a meal at home sent from LEclume.
I had ordered wine to compliment the food. And yes the wine that I had opened was fresh crisp and didn't spoil the taste of the food. It was organic and Spanish. Moraza 4 Caminos Rioja 2018. Yes it's drinkable, but with no taste to the palette. You could drink it all day if you like wine like this, it didn't overpower the food.
It is fermented and aged in cement vessels, not too sure of that one as I like the barrel aged wines. Far more taste and refinement. So a little disappointing but it complimented the food so I continued. I still haven't found that White wine that has the special taste for me to enjoy. Champagne is still the top of my list on the white or rose.
I had ordered wine to compliment the food. And yes the wine that I had opened was fresh crisp and didn't spoil the taste of the food. It was organic and Spanish. Moraza 4 Caminos Rioja 2018. Yes it's drinkable, but with no taste to the palette. You could drink it all day if you like wine like this, it didn't overpower the food.
It is fermented and aged in cement vessels, not too sure of that one as I like the barrel aged wines. Far more taste and refinement. So a little disappointing but it complimented the food so I continued. I still haven't found that White wine that has the special taste for me to enjoy. Champagne is still the top of my list on the white or rose.
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Now to the main and yes potatoes, not good for me potatoes but I can handle this one today as it is special. Free Range Chicken with Potatoes. Truffle and Morels. Chicken yes was number 7, significant number, maybe, maybe not. Just a touch in the oven and finding a way to bring the food to the table. A fabulous combination of tastes. Truffles are one of my favourite finds and I always find them a delight.
So the last of the delights from Simon Rogan at home. This I knew was going to be acceptable to the palette and for certain a bringing together of Rum Baba with Raspberries and Hazelnuts. So I had Flowers, Raspberry Coulis, Muscovado Chantilly, Baba, Rum and a touch of class. The table was finished and the Bears went back to their soft cushions with a smile. They were missing the journey's to different restaurants but tonight the restaurant came to them. Thank you all for your hard work and I will book again in the near future.
So the last of the delights from Simon Rogan at home. This I knew was going to be acceptable to the palette and for certain a bringing together of Rum Baba with Raspberries and Hazelnuts. So I had Flowers, Raspberry Coulis, Muscovado Chantilly, Baba, Rum and a touch of class. The table was finished and the Bears went back to their soft cushions with a smile. They were missing the journey's to different restaurants but tonight the restaurant came to them. Thank you all for your hard work and I will book again in the near future.
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Simon Rogan At Home
My Restaurant with the Help of Simon
My Restaurant with the Help of Simon
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This is my beginning. Many boxes and a jigsaw puzzle waiting to be made up and placed together as an inviting journey of tastes. The different boxes for each plate as a significant parcel of a choice of menu.
Chocolates came out first as I can enjoy while I am creating. I have also added a beautiful gin and a Champagne for my journey of the delight in the tastes I am about to unravel. Let the journey begin! |
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The oven ready and the baking is on. My skills on baking turn out to be perfection as the Sourdough Bread is timed to the delights of enjoyment.
The butter to compliment is there to do exactly that, compliment. So, we are on a roll as I succeed to become the finest Chef! |
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Searching through the cupboards for the finest Plates to compliment my meal, what's to mixing and matching; it allows me to adapt to that high end food restaurant in my own home or place of residence at any time in my life.
The next step continuing on my journey of Chef's perfection. I Know the game and I have enjoyed the understanding of how to bring a plate together without getting in too much of a fluster and throwing my weight around in the kitchen with a few words to create what is needed on that journey to perfection.
Celeriac Soup, Confit Duck, Granny Smith Apple and Chestnut and I am on it, the creation has been made and the tastes come together very well. |
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I am beginning to understand what it means to create a meal in a perfect way for me when I arrive at a restaurant. everything has to be placed together extremely well.
I am now on the taste of Pine Cured Salmon, Toasted Rye, Whipped Cod's Roe and Beetroot. Bringing this plate together was an artistic view of eating. The mixtures of tastes made for taste bud excitement. |
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I have managed to master the different courses so far even though everything is well prepared before the food arrives to me.
So now I am at the plate of Aged Short Rib of Beef, Cep, Chou-croute and Winter Vegetables. All came together very well. I must admit I love the mastering of the perfect chef but I love to be in a restaurant being spoilt. I have made it with only one more serve to master. I am sure that I can award myself some kind of star. That Universal Star. It takes many years of learning to become a Universal Star. Making it is a Gold Medal Triumph! |
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Ok; I have created my last plate; Dark Chocolate Fondant with Mandarin Creme Anglaise. Sorry Simon I did create a little bit of a "Fuck Up" and the volcano erupted and spread out onto the plate but it did taste divine. Thank you to the extremes for my food and most certainly well paid for. My last taste I am keeping to myself. Preserved Blackberry Leaf Pate De Fruits. |
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To Be Decided on. The Restaurant of Choice
My Choice, always my Choice!
MERE - Restaurant; 74 Charlotte Street. London!
MERE - Restaurant; 74 Charlotte Street. London!
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The Welcome was there as soon as we entered the 'Mere' Restaurant, I always watch for that first greeting as it does say a great deal about how you are going to be treated along the journey of tastes.
My case was placed out of the way, as we were going downstairs to the restaurant, people had already arrived and the restaurant was filling up quite nicely. The positives and the negatives of that is; people can listen in and it's not so personal., the Positive is that it creates an ambiance' of over whelming tastes as everyone is different and they tend to voice their appreciation differently. |
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Having had a few days of laughter, fun and of course Champagne with a friend that I hadn't seem for at least four years, I felt that the wine had to be select and smooth for the lunch that would be served. The best Italian I have tasted is the 'Nebbiolo; Barolo' and the 'Montepulciano D'Abruzzo' but another wine caught my eye and I knew it would be tasty.
La Rioja Alta; Gran Reserva; Spanish and I knew it would be smooth to the taste. That's my very small glass, as I was traveling onwards. It complimented the Lamb Cannon which by the way was served completely to my liking. A few little nibbles to set the palette alive; Yes; I knew that they would be tip - top in this restaurant and they were. I wish I had more time to stay and enjoy the tastes but sometimes we run to a time schedule. And my few days in London were just that. |
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A little bit of Hokey Pokey; which was a take on a Kiwi treat. Manjari Cremeux - Salted Toffee - Honeycomb Ice Cream. Hokey Pokey did taste delicious. Melt in your mouth as they say. hat is what food is supposed to do. Just allow the taste buds to figure it all out for themselves. A timed delight, and the Chef was hidden, working hard to make my lunch a Fabulous taste of Heaven. Thank you all for your welcome and for the food you served. It was very much appreciated. |
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Selfridges - Coffee
Opps! - Afternoon Tea
Opps! - Afternoon Tea
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Archangel Michael was making sure I was safe or checking that I was behaving. I wonder what the story is there. Selfridges; and much like a great deal of stores in London, expensive and select. We came in for a coffee and to be nosey. Well sometimes when you are chilling it just takes a coffee and a little walk around, window shopping as they say.
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The coffee we had whilst watching the world go by; Did someone say Afternoon Tea? Well we searched everywhere in London. Nothing was available. So Afternoon Tea at Selfridges it was. Next time book before I go, it saves disappointment. It was tasty,
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I would have liked to see brown bread amongst the white as it is good to have a choice. A Vegan menu. But I did miss the cakes. If you are Vegan or Veggi then it's worth a visit, actually it is worth a visit regardless of being Veggi or Vegan.
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Sometimes something different has to be done. There is a roof terrace somewhere but we didn't find that, obviously needs a little bit more research.
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The Ivy Restaurant
Richmond London
Richmond London
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I have been to The Ivy in Covent Gardens, and was really very pleased with everything, of course the friends were so different, pleasing, kind, and very beautiful to say the least. My friend Gill was the best company, the posh side, and the caring side. It was a wonderful experience. We tried the food at it's best in fine dining, with Champagne to cheer the world, and life. This was the ideal place to be, and the company of good friends made the day complete.
Now the Ivy in Richmond is completely different. It wasn't select at all, the friend I came with was different to the normal friends in my life. Drinks at the bar before the meal, to the conversation being about placing her small house on the market, she needs a ballroom. And so to the play of the day, everybody was talking about houses, and keeping hold of them. "Two house Champagne's" as there wasn't much choice. So then to look at the seating, all in all a meal with challenges. |
Milsoms & The Talbooth - Dedham
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The Tolbooth, Dedham; A Ball, a dance, and some finery, it was time for Cinders to finally go to the ball, dressed as a queen in Crimson, with a Tiara in Silver. I had tried to get to the GOSH ball the year before but life wouldn't allow me to go. This was special, Friends, and new friends were the call of the night. I delighted on the food of the night, one thing about the Tolbooth is that it is upmarket where food is concerned, the setting is beautiful, and they are very attentive.
But some people tried to spoil my night, the singer who felt her mind games were allowed. Was it her police person friend that gave her the ok to do so. Did he feel that she couldn't be charged for harassment, trying to intimidate, stalking. I would have thought that they all were an offence. It worries me that she could sing a few notes, but couldn't speak the truth. But it didn't deter me from dancing. Having been before to the Tolbooth for a Ball, I thoroughly enjoyed. The Range Rover brought me to the Ball from Milsoms Hotel, and the Range Rover would take me back.... You Served ... Very well indeed, even though I had to put up with rubbish. The last time I was at the Tolbooth was with my beautiful friend Gillian who passed in 2016. I enjoyed the night with her, and Nigel's family.
The Milsoms Hotel was for a light lunch of Salmon, and Prosecco. The evening staff when we came back from the Ball were again attentive, toast was made for us, and the new friends I was enjoying, Frinton-on-Sea, a childhood memory. My room was beautiful, relaxing, and smart. Breakfast was light, but substantial
Milsoms Hotel, and Restaurant; Now this was a top notch restaurant, and that was what I was expecting, but it had changed. Claire had journeyed from London, and I had journeyed from France, a place to meet for a friends funeral. We both walked in, and realised that it wasn't the same as before. I loved this restaurant, but I have now found better. It was fitting to order Champagne, so we did just that. A celebration of life, and a sadness of death. A plateful of Spanish meats was served, not with pleasure. The food was delightful, and expensive, but something was missing. Not the same as it used to be when I used to go with Gillian for lunch. August 2016
But some people tried to spoil my night, the singer who felt her mind games were allowed. Was it her police person friend that gave her the ok to do so. Did he feel that she couldn't be charged for harassment, trying to intimidate, stalking. I would have thought that they all were an offence. It worries me that she could sing a few notes, but couldn't speak the truth. But it didn't deter me from dancing. Having been before to the Tolbooth for a Ball, I thoroughly enjoyed. The Range Rover brought me to the Ball from Milsoms Hotel, and the Range Rover would take me back.... You Served ... Very well indeed, even though I had to put up with rubbish. The last time I was at the Tolbooth was with my beautiful friend Gillian who passed in 2016. I enjoyed the night with her, and Nigel's family.
The Milsoms Hotel was for a light lunch of Salmon, and Prosecco. The evening staff when we came back from the Ball were again attentive, toast was made for us, and the new friends I was enjoying, Frinton-on-Sea, a childhood memory. My room was beautiful, relaxing, and smart. Breakfast was light, but substantial
Milsoms Hotel, and Restaurant; Now this was a top notch restaurant, and that was what I was expecting, but it had changed. Claire had journeyed from London, and I had journeyed from France, a place to meet for a friends funeral. We both walked in, and realised that it wasn't the same as before. I loved this restaurant, but I have now found better. It was fitting to order Champagne, so we did just that. A celebration of life, and a sadness of death. A plateful of Spanish meats was served, not with pleasure. The food was delightful, and expensive, but something was missing. Not the same as it used to be when I used to go with Gillian for lunch. August 2016
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The Harbour Hotel & Spa - The Jetty - Harbour Roof Top
Southampton
Southampton
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Taking time for dinner in the Jetty Restaurant was somewhat interesting. The food was what I expected in such a lovely Hotel. Wine to fill it's purpose. And an ambiance of knowing. Cheese Souffle for the starter. A glass of red accompanied with the water, it saved the self from a headache. Both red wine, and water are good for the heart.
The main course of Fish was for me a treasure. Fish is wonderful if cooked to the taste, and sensitivity. The dessert or pudding came with a German Austrian feel. All in all, The Jetty is what it should be. Fine foods, with marvellous wines, and the service was attentive. The view comes at a cost, and the cost is well accepted.
The main course of Fish was for me a treasure. Fish is wonderful if cooked to the taste, and sensitivity. The dessert or pudding came with a German Austrian feel. All in all, The Jetty is what it should be. Fine foods, with marvellous wines, and the service was attentive. The view comes at a cost, and the cost is well accepted.
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