Showing posts with label traditional. Show all posts
Showing posts with label traditional. Show all posts
Pie is life. Pie is love. I've never seen anywhere take their love of pie quite so seriously as this place. There are photos of pies, photos of things related to pies, pie related jokes, and even pies on the toilet doors and on photos in the toilets! Remember Pie-Face from The Beano? Everything in his life was pie focused and pie related and shaped. Welcome to Pieminister, in Manchester.



We visited on a cold Thursday afternoon in November, but as you walk into the small shop front in the heart of the Northern Quarter, there's a fantastic warm atmosphere, both in the steamed up windows from the warmth of the food and the people, but also in the cosy seating, everyone sat together chatting, relaxing, laughing, and munching on pies!

I've wanted to try Pieminister for a long time. Their pie menu on their website sounds amazing, and I wanted to try some as soon as I read it!

I visited with my partner, and we were quickly seated on a table by the stairs, and right by a cabinet showing all of the lovely pies available, behind which the staff were busying away in a small galley kitchen-cum-bar area. Even before we ordered, it was great watching all of the meals being assembled with good hearty portions and good quality stuff!



Looking at the menu, it's what you'd expect, but happily so. They do pies. Good pies. Lots of pies. That's what they do. Pies. There's also Festive Pies at this time of year, a few pie-similar light meals, and a superb array of traditional sides to go with pies. Pies pies pies!

So from the menu I chose the Free Ranger with minted mushy peas and gravy, whereas my partner opted for the epically named MOTHERSHIP, which is a pie (he chose Fungi Chicken) with creamy mashed potatoes, cheddar cheese, minted mushy peas, crispy shallots, and gravy. It's enough to make a grown Northern man weep manly tears of joy!





Although there was a little bit of a wait (as it was very busy), the atmosphere was relaxed, warm, and comfortable, so it wasn't really much of an issue, especially when you'll have to simply believe me when I say it was worth the wait!!

Our pies arrived in those classic camping style metal bowls. The bottom layer was the creamy mash, with the pie sat on top of it, then the minted mushy peas dolloped lovingly on top of that. The meals go upwards, which given that my partner's meal also had crispy shallots and cheddar cheese, gives you the idea of why it was named 'The Mothership', our gravy was served in traditional chrome gravy boats on the side. I must admit I tried some of my partner's crispy shallots and I am DEFINITELY ordering those next time!!

The quality of the food was outstanding. The mash was perfectly creamy and traditional, the pies themselves succulent and tender, and perfectly seasoned, with just the right firmness to the pastry, wheras the minted mushy peas were good old fashioned nostalgia. All of these combined (along with a bottle of Fentimans Dandelion and Burdock) delivered the perfect homely, nostalgic, comforting dinner that perfectly accompanied a freezing cold November afternoon in Manchester.

Forgive the lighting, we were sat under a neon red sign!


The service was friendly, efficient and professional. We were met with smiles and helpful attitudes whenever we needed to ask staff something, right up to paying and leaving.

Pieminister, keep doing what you're doing, you're doing it so very very right, and I thoroughly look forward to returning again soon, by myself, with my partner, with my friends, and with my parents and family. I can't imagine anyone leaving your restaurant without a smile on their faces!



Pieminister
53 Church Street
Manchester 
M4 1PD
(0161) 819 1279
www.pieminister.co.uk


Pieminister Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Pieminister

by on 23:00
Pie is life. Pie is love. I've never seen anywhere take their love of pie quite so seriously as this place. There are photos of pies, ...
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The Oxford Tea Rooms has only just opened on Knowsley Street in Bolton town centre. It's a traditional style tea rooms, offering loose leaf teas, coffee, light lunches, and of course, cakes!


As I walk in, it's nice to see that the décor is traditionally English and pleasant, with quirky comedic signs on the walls, mismatched furniture and crockery, and polkadot and floral tablecloths, as well as a fabulous classic chequered floor, and a huge wall of books, which looks quite realistic even up close until you realise it's wallpaper!

The staff were welcoming and friendly, and when I asked if they accept cards, they told me that the card reader was being installed and would be ready within a few days, but luckily they're right across the road from a bank, so no big trouble there!

A lovely and friendly lady came over to my table and took my order, which as I was only popping in this time, I decided to go for an Earl Grey. They were also happily able to accommodate my request for skimmed milk.


 The quality of the loose leaf tea was very good indeed, and a pot for one was very good value, especially as I was even asked if I would like a jug of hot water once my teapot had run dry.

Interestingly, the pearlescent cup which I was given is identical to one which is part of a set left to me by my grandmother. A good omen... nana must approve of this place! ;)


Although I wasn't eating, I had a good peruse of the menu, and it was comprised of good English fayre from crumpets and teacakes, to freshly made sandwiches and cakes. It's also a little thing, but I love that some things such as the bagels were described as being served with "best butter", which may be a Northern thing, but is a phrase my mum and my family have always used, referring to using good quality butter rather than hum drum margarine. This gave me a smile.


They're only just getting their footing as they really have only just opened, but I can see them doing well, and becoming a popular alternative to the chain coffee shops and greasy spoon cafés around the town centre. The staff are friendly, the quality is good, and the prices are very reasonable.

I'll definitely pop in again sometime for lunch, or maybe treat my mum to afternoon tea!
The Oxford Tea Rooms
Knowsley Street
Bolton
Greater Manchester
BL1 2AL
07715 565 935
http://oxfordtearooms.co.uk/
 

The Oxford Tea Rooms

by on 16:06
The Oxford Tea Rooms has only just opened on Knowsley Street in Bolton town centre. It's a traditional style tea rooms, offering lo...
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Mystery Tea House in Preston is somewhere I've heard of via word of mouth for a long time, and always positively, but somewhere I've never had chance to visit until now, and to cut a review short, I'm very glad I did.

Hidden away on the narrow Cannon Street (which reminded me a bit of The Shambles in York). Mystery Tea House really does live up to such a fantastical name, as when you walk into the door, it's a rather dark but cosy space, decorated in bright colours and with a distinctly African design, from the artwork to the tribal masks on the walls. As my dad and I walk in, friendly staff members smile and welcome us, informing us that there's more seating upstairs should we want it, as downstairs was already bustling with happy and relaxed looking customers. The bar area where the staff were talking from boasted several ceiling height shelves full of all sorts of wonderful and exotic tea blends.



So we climbed upstairs, and entered another space, just a bright and colourful as downstairs, and keeping the same African style, but with more areas to lounge, such as sofas, tables looking out of the windows down over the street, and a cute little table under a tree with a bookcase, for those wanting to spend the afternoon.


We took a seat at a little corner table, and were immediately impressed at the menus. Both food menus offering sandwiches, cakes and delicious looking soups, but also an incredibly extensive tea menu, with teas of all varieties and blends to tempt you. I personally love flavoured black teas, but usually aside Earl Grey it's hard to find any in general shops and cafes, but Mystery Tea House had a whole page of intriguing choices!  


After much deliberation, I decided to try the Rose Desire tea, and my dad, being somewhat a traditionalist, went for good old Yorkshire Tea, which as amusing an idea as it is, proves that the venue is not pretentious enough to deny people a good old fashioned cup of "builders tea" should they want it, and thus not alienate visitors. 


The tea came in traditional side-handle teapot with non-handled cup, and with a side of lemon slices and a small jug of honey. A very nice touch indeed. My dad's Yorkshire Tea came in a more English-traditional teapot and cup, which he was perfectly happy with. 

The Rose Desire tea was absolutely divine, with a lovely strong rose fragrance, and fresh a fresh flavour which forces a content sigh out of you with each sip. My dad commented how surprised he was that it smelt like Turkish delight, and after browsing the tea menu, had plans to try all sorts of new and exotic teas, he particularly liked the sound of the Jasmine Tea menu, and the Oolong Teas (even if he did keep calling it "oblong tea"!).

As for food, I decided on a ham and cheese toastie, wheras my dad opted for the delicious sounding and looking Tuscani baguette, opting for some extra salami topping. 

When the food arrived, we were very pleased! My toastie was very tasty, but my dad's Tuscani was massive, clearly freshly made, and very appetising indeed! He raved about the flavours and quality as he ate it, and insisted I try some, which at first I turned down, but in the end agreed to... and I'm glad I did! It was flavourful, cheesy, with delicious mushrooms and that extra salami my dad wanted. For under £4 we were very impressed, and said we'd get again for certain when we next visited!



During our meal, the friendly and helpful staff were happy to bring me extra hot water so I could enjoy more of that delicious rose tea, and told us about some other tea options I might like next time based on my enjoyment of the Rose Desire tea. 

When we went downstairs, we chatted to the staff about our enjoyed experience, and how we both had plans for different teas we would try in future. The staff member behind the bar happily brought various jars off the shelves, telling us about the types of tea, and letting us take a deep sniff of each blend. My dad later told me that he was very impressed with this service, as well as the friendly approachable nature of the staff, allowing him to be brave enough to ask about whether you would have milk and sugar in various blends, without feeling silly.


Our experience at Mystery Tea House was very pleasant indeed. Relaxed and comfortable, but with some great options to explore. The tea we had was lovely, and the food was superb, it was also nice that they sold loose tea to take home, as well as tea making accessories and tea sets for the tea lovers out there. But the thing that stood out for us was the service. Friendly, helpful, polite and genuinely enthusiastic staff full of personality really made this place feel welcoming, and most definitely made us want to return! Well done, Mystery Tea House! :)



Mystery Tea House
23 Cannon Street
Preston
PR1 3NR
(01772) 200 408
www.mysteryteahouse.com

Mystery Tea House

by on 12:31
Mystery Tea House in Preston is somewhere I've heard of via word of mouth for a long time, and always positively, but somewhere I...
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Marjellchen is in Berlin. Yes, Berlin. I went on holiday recently to the German capital and had a great time. Marjellchen is a quaint and wonderful hidden gem of an old fashioned Prussian and German restaurant which I first discovered a few years ago on my first trip to Berlin.



When I walked into the restaurant, I fell in love with the old-world charm and décor, the dark panelling and long darkened paintings which are embedded into the walls, the candles, gas-style hanging lamps, pink tablecloths, dainty silk flowers, and framed photos of old celebrities who have visited over the years. To sit in it feels like being in a Christopher Isherwood novel.


The service is attentive, but with a degree of respectful distance, and a touch of dry German humour. This approach with the décor and the style of cuisine gives it a distinct feel of having dinner at a great aunt's house. The man who served us even brought out our Cokes in large wine glasses, so that we would look and feel more part of the atmosphere than to be seen drinking out of tumblers whilst other tables had large foaming glass steins of German beer.




The menu itself is wonderfully traditional, with options often listed as "grandmother's style" or from old family recipes etc, with plenty of emotive language, telling you how delicious this dish is, even if you've never heard of it before. This is a place for hearty old fashioned German and Prussian fare. 

For our starters my dining partner chose to opt for East Prussian Beetenbarsch, which is a delicious beetroot and beef soup with cream. It was very refreshing but still full of flavour. I chose to go for fried cockerel legs, which were boned and came in their own gravy seasoned with rosemary, and served with "bread for dipping - a dream!" to quote the menu, which to be honest was true! It also came with a large fresh salad. When the gent came back to take our plates, my dining partner commented, "that was a really good soup!", the gent smiled, "I know" he chuckled.



For the main course, my dining partner at first took the advice of the gent to order the duck, but after a few moments, he returned and embarrassedly told us that duck was no longer available tonight, so instead my dining partner ordered the Meatballs Königsberg, from an old Prussian recipe with parsley potatoes and red beetroot. These turned out to be three very substantial meatballs in a wonderfully creamy sauce, and served with very tender boiled potatoes, baffling us as to how well they were cooked yet hadn't fallen apart! The meatballs themselves were delicious, and very filling! I chose to go for the pork knuckle, which was the size of my head, and came with delicious fried potatoes in its own gravy, complete with that "sheen" on the surface of the gravy, promising you its authenticity. The colossal pork knuckle was so tender that the meat simply pulled away from the bone with no effort, and as you can imagine, was very filling indeed!




The only downside of the hearty and belly filling fare is that by the end, we just didn't have the room to try one of their wonderful desserts such as baked apple dumpling, or vanilla ice cream with hot cherries. Seriously... we genuinely were considering it, but it just wouldn't have worked! Next time we may skip a starter and have a dessert instead!

From the menu

I have a very secure spot in my heart for Marjellchen, and whenever I am in Berlin, it's extremely unlikely that I will ever be able to resist making a reservation for this gem of a place. If you too fancy a visit to Marjellchen, be sure you reserve, it's popular, even though it's away from the main streets, and rightfully so, proving that an old fashioned restaurant can survive and thrive without Wi-Fi, or much of a web presence, in the face of popular restaurants all around, and chains within walking distance. Good for you, Marjellchen, Wunderbar!






Marjellchen
Mommsenstraße 9
(Nearest S-Bahn is Savingyplatz)
10629 Berlin
Germany
030 / 883 26 76
http://www.marjellchen-berlin.de


As big as my head!

Marjellchen

by on 17:40
Marjellchen is in Berlin. Yes, Berlin. I went on holiday recently to the German capital and had a great time. Marjellchen is a quaint...
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The Crown at Worthington benefits greatly from the internet. If it wasn't for the internet you could assume it was any bog standard normal pub from the outside... that is, if you stumble upon it in the first place. It's pretty much in the middle of nowhere!

However, once within the venue, although a traditional pub style interior welcomes you, the menu on offer is something far greater than the average "Dog and Badger" type pub. A mix of local, traditional, modern, and curious sounding dishes await, including "Desperate Dan Pie" and "Black Pudding and Lancashire Cheese Spring Roll". There is also a regularly changing Specials menu, which offered some tasty treats too, and some rather funny typos, ('fwesh strawberries' anyone?).

We were a party of 4, and although we made a reservation, we really didn't need one, as it was quite quiet for a friday night, and so we were offered our choice of where we'd like to sit in the dining room, so we chose a table in the conservatory.

The service team seemed to primarily be young girls. What they lacked in any particular professionalism/experience, they made up for in friendliness and enthusiasm. It was quite funny to occasionally watch a little blonde girl with an arm full of plates give a waist height boot to the kitchen door whenever she needed to get in. One of our party asked what dark ales were available, and although the server who was asked went a bit deer-in-headlights wide-eyed, she was quick enough to find out for us, let us know the % levels, and offer a tasting. For someone who admitted she was new to this, she was very good.

The starters we ordered were tasty and fresh. I personally ordered the Lancashire Spring Roll out of curiosity, and what arrived was a delicious crispy spring roll with a hearty filling and a side of mustard mayonnaise, which was a tasty accompaniment. Although the salad was a nice addition, given the size of the spring rolls, a second one may have been a nicer offering.

The main courses proved an interesting affair as I had decided I wanted a steak, and was introduced to The Crown's butcher's block station, which is a curious and interesting unique selling point to me. In the corner of the main dining room was a counter, behind which was a chiller containing several large cuts of meat, they were sirloin, rib eye, fillet, and rump. The server asked me what cut I would like, and after washing her hands, hoisted the big slab of meat onto the butcher's block and asked what thickness I would like, before slicing it then and there herself. I was asked how I would like it cooked, and what method I would prefer (pan-fried or char-grilled). I chose the latter. I was then able to add any toppings or sauces of my choice, and my choice of side order. I've not really encountered this sort of setup in the UK before, and I think it's not just a novelty, but a very pleasant attraction, showcasing a high quality of product and availability.

 The rest of my party ordered the Baby's Yed, Fish and Chips, and half rack of ribs. My steak came out cooked perfectly, with a really tasty garlic and herb butter, and home-cut chips. The half rack of ribs looked the most impressive, coming out on a rustic board with corn, and sweet potato fries. The fish and chips and baby's yed were also nicely presented, and enjoyed thoroughly by their respective diners.We ordered soft drinks, and also a bottle of wine, which pleasantly came in an ice-bucket.




The quality of the food was high, and we agreed that they were good value for the quality. The only negative point at all was that the ribs didn't come with any sort of wet-wipes. When we asked, we were given some more napkins, which isn't really ideal for sticky ribs. At the end of the meal, we mentioned this to our server and were told that they usually provide a finger-bowl of warm water and lemon for with ribs, and apologised that it had been overlooked this time. A good idea in future though, if it's remembered!


 The desserts we ordered included ice cream (including a lovely sasparilla flavour!), classic suet-style jam roly poly, banoffee roulade, and an eton mess. They were all very tasty and nicely presented with fresh fruit. I particularly liked the presentation of the Eton Mess as a tower on a plate rather than in an ice cream glass.

Overall, The Crown is pretty good value for the excellent food provided, and although the young staff could do with a little training, they were delightful and made our night a pleasant one. The other aspects of the venue such as décor were lovely and warmly traditional. They just need to give those toilets a refurbishment to get them to the standard of the rest of the place, and get some sugar-soap on those doors! It was nice to see that well-behaved dogs were also welcome, and there was a good little car-park too. I would be more than happy to visit again and sample more from their delicious menu!



The toilets, sadly, were pretty grubby pub-style,
 and were in need of a bit of TLC, but this amazing
 70s looking hand-dryer gave me a giggle.













The Crown at Worthington
Platt Lane
Worthington
Standish
Wigan
WN1 2XF
08000 686678
www.thecrownatworthington.co.uk 
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