One of the things that have changed as I have got older is the time I like to socialise. I used to consider nothing sociable until the sun was at least setting. This started when I worked in the theatre and we would go out to eat after a show had finished and often bundled …
Hidden Gems in the UK ~Clayton’s Corner Cafe ~Coffee ~Cake ~North Lincolnshire
Looking for another little gem in Lincolnshire to visit? In North Lincolnshire, Howsham there is a lovely little coffee shop called ‘Clayton’s Corner’ Due to the Corona Virus Clayton’s Corner is currently only offering outside seating. Although there is ample seating outside there is no shelter in bad weather so this should be taken into …
Sunday Lunch at ‘The Curious Cat’ ~ Food ~ Cocktails ~EatingOut ~Lincolnshire
How are we all doing? Hope everything is going well for you at the moment. Everything just seems a little strange and it is difficult trying to get into ‘The New Normal’ that the government is trying to sell us. I so do not want to get used to the new normal I want my …
The Counting House ~ Cleethorpes ~ Eating After Lock Down
Hello lovelies, For regular readers of my blog you may have seen some blog posts of mine about the venue‘The Counting House’ in Sea View Street, Cleethorpes, North East Lincolnshire, before. Here are a quick couple of links to them to remind you : Pirate Afternoon Tea and Tipsy Tapas As it so happens the …
Eat Out To Help Out ~ UK Government Scheme
Morning Lovelies! It is a strange summer this year isn’t it? Due to that Covid 19 it means so many plans, events and, well let’s be honest, almost everything has either been cancelled or changed to adapt in some way or another! This week sees the start of the UK’s governments scheme, running throughout August …
Eating Out At Millfield’s Hotel ~Lincolnshire ~Covid19 ~Food ~Review
After missing our 21st anniversary drink in April due to lock down one of the first places I wished to visit once lock down was lifted was a local hotel in Lincolnshire where Pirate Mick and I had our wedding reception 21 years ago! Yes it is still standing, as are we!! https://www.millfieldshotel.co.uk/ Millfields is …
Breakfast At The Ivy ~Food ~Review
As I was in Leeds last weekend I decided to treat myself to ‘The Ivy’ for breakfast. Last year Pirate Mick and I went for an anniversary lunch and I reviewed it on this blog. Here is the link The Ivy-Leeds Last weekend Leeds was being hit by one of the many storms we have had …
Down On Uncle Henry’s Farm ~Lincolnshire ~Food ~Review
Now it is officially autumn! Love the fabulous colours,the the crisp cold mornings and the warm and cosy feeling it gives you. One of the places to get this feeling of nature and cosiness is a farm shop and cafe called Uncle Henry’s,which can be found at Grayingham Grange Farm, Gainsborough, DN214JD
Telephone number 01652 640308
As of writing this the opening times are 9.30am until 5pm every day except Sunday when it closes at 4.00pm.
They do hold various events throughout the year and these may have different times.
https://www.unclehenrys.co.uk/
Uncle Henry’s opened in 2006 and had recently undergone a face lift. There is now a large entrance to bring you into the farm shop area, displaying fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as a butchers, deli and a large stocked drinks area.
There is also an area to browse the gifts, small toys and cards.
The café is quite large although it can get quite busy at certain times. I was with Pirate Mick and we shared the potato wedges, which are delicious, with cheese and a chilli dip! The potatoes were home grown and cooked to perfection and just melt in the mouth. The cheese was delicious and just the right consistency and the chilli dip is where I first discovered chilli dip! Perfection!! There was plenty for us to share and no trouble to order just one portion. I found these really good value for money. £2.95 for the wedges, 75p for the dip and £1.00 for the melted cheese.
There is also a coffee lounge and a courtyard outside if you want to wrap up and just prefer a drink and a chat. Pirate Mick and I both had a latte and this costs £2.75. If you wanted a refill it is just £2.00, with your receipt.
View from the car park
Look at the fabulous fresh vegetables and fruit
Look at those colours! It really does bring out the creative in me!
If you are looking for something to do this autumn then I would recommend taking a visit to Uncle Henry’s.
Have you been? Do you recommend anything from the menu?
If you do go, let me know what you think!
Happy Autumn!
Sparkle Hugs and Glitter Kisses xxx
All photographs, unless stated, are the copyright of Lorna Liza
Anniversary At The Ivy ~ Leeds ~Food ~Review
If you know me at all you know I love glamour and fabulousness! (Yes I have totally made that word up!)
When I heard that ‘The Ivy’ had recently opened in Leeds I knew I wanted to visit! Now I know it is hard to believe but Pirate Mick and I have been married twenty years this year! I know what you’re thinking, a child bride!! You’re not!!! Oh !!!!! Well anyway!
It was not long before I had the anniversary date booked at ‘The Ivy’!!
A lady that lunch must also brunch! You will be amazed to know I have just made that up!
However I did find myself, and of course Pirate Mick, in Harvey Nichols for brunch cocktails. There are various cafes and bars in Harvey Nichols and we went to the fourth floor for ‘The Bottle Room’.
The cocktails were delicious and set us up nicely for our lunch date and 1pm in ‘The Ivy’
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| Brunch cocktails |
We arrived at ‘The Ivy’ a little before 1pm and straight away our coats were taken and we were shown to a table for two. It was a cosy table and quite close to others but they do have to set it out to achieve maximum capacity as already there was a queue forming outside.
There was a large Brunch/lunch menu and it took a short while to decide what to have. However there was no rush from the waiters who took their time to explain dishes.
In the end I opted for Chicken Milanese a brioche-crumbed chicken breast with San Marzanino tomatoes, capers, rocket, Parmesan and pesto truffle and parmesan chips. Pirate Mick decided on
The Ivy shepherd’s pie, a slow-braised lamb leg with beef and Wookey Hole Cheddar potato mash. He also had a side of green beans to accompany.
To drink I had a pink gin and tonic with fresh strawberries and mint and a bottle of spring water for the table.
For dessert, as it would had been rude not to partake, I had a chocolate bombe which was a melting chocolate bombe with a vanilla ice cream and honeycomb centre with hot salted caramel sauce. It was absolutely delicious, although just a little too much sauce for me as they poured it on when the bring it, rather than you adding it to taste. Pirate Mick finished his meal with an ice cream selection.
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| Chicken |
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| Truffle chips |
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| Lemon in Muslin |
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| Chocolate Bombe |
We felt a lovely touch was the presentation plate. There was a small tart (No pun intended!!lol)with a candle and a chocolate that said ‘Happy Anniversary’! You know how I hate to be centre of attention!!! Why are you laughing??
The atmosphere was buzzing and there was a DJ, I would say ‘spinning the records’ but they do not have records anymore! Showing my age here I think!!!
The toilets were also very luxurious. Dark wood and gold. The wall paper was tropical with a gold shine background.
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| The Ivy Bar |
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| Hey Mr DJ |
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| Luxury toilets |
We paid the bill which came to just around £100 for the two of us and then headed off back to the car after the best wedding anniversary day! Now what to top it for our 21st! Any suggestions????
Sparkle Hugs and Glitter Kisses xx
All photographs are the copyright of Lorna Liza
Whitby Goth and Alternative Weekend ~MagpieCafe ~Event
Following on from my previous post on the Whitby Goth and Alternative Weekend, I thought I would continue on the rest of the day.
After visiting the spa we strolled along the car park to the whale bone arch on West Cliff. This is a replica whale jaw bone and was presented to Whitby by Norway in 1963 and then Alaska in 2003. Next to the whale bone is a statue of Captain Cook. We headed past the statue and down the steps to Pier Road.
No visit to Whitby is complete without a meal in the ‘Magpie Cafe’.
‘The Magpie cafe is housed in a distinctive black and white building over looking the harbour…It was built in 1750 as a merchants house…The premises were converted into a cafe in approximately 1939.
Be prepared to queue outside and Pirate Mick and I waited on the infamous steps for only a few minutes, this time, before a table became available. The table was for two in the downstairs part of the cafe and in front of the fish tank. The fish are there for decoration, not too eat, thank goodness!!
There is a wide range of fish available, to eat!, as well as other dishes. The freshly caught fish of the day is listed on a flat screen television on the wall. Both Pirate Mick and myself ordered haddock and chips. I ordered small and Pirate Mick ordered medium, and also a side order of mushy peas. To drink I had a Bacardi and coke and Pirate Mick had the house water.
The Magpie was very busy but the staff were cheerful and kept checking things were okay.
The meal lived up to expectations. Both fish looked and tasted delicious and plenty of chips. The mushy peas were presented in a large bowl enough for quite a few people!
Toilets are up some very steep winding stairs and have been refurbished to a high standard. Even have some great songs playing in there. In fact there was a bit of Dolly Parton! They must had known I was spending a penny!!
The bill at the end of the meal came to £26.05 and it is presented to you on a plate with a Magpie mint for each diner.
We were now suitably refreshed for the afternoon in Whitby. A lady eating in the Magpie asked us if we were dressed up for anything special and what was going on. I was so tempted to say that this was our normal weekend attire. Is it not yours?
Love to know if you have ever eaten one of the catch of the day fish, such as ‘Woof’ or ‘John Dory’ or any other more unusual fish.
Sparkle Hugs and Glitter Kisses xxx
All photographs, unless stated, are the copyright of Lorna Liza