Restaurant Reviews

REVIEW: THE DAKOTA GRILL, MANCHESTER

REVIEW: THE DAKOTA GRILL, MANCHESTER

Did you know there are over 650 restaurants, the most there has ever been, in Manchester today?* This large number is a blessing for the diner (options are always good), and a challenge for the restaurateur. How does one stand out from an ever-increasing pool that can sometimes be crowded?     You won’t have a problem is your name is Dakota. Nothing…

REVIEW: LAS IGUANAS, NOTTINGHAM

REVIEW: LAS IGUANAS, NOTTINGHAM

When was the last time you saw a menu that excited you so much, you had to take it home with you? It happened to me last weekend when I was booked in to review Las Iguanas Nottingham.   You couldn’t find a more central location than Chapel Quarter where Las Iguanas Nottingham sits loud and proud, staking its claim amongst…

REVIEW: THE GREAT NORTHERN, MICKLEOVER, DERBY

REVIEW: THE GREAT NORTHERN, MICKLEOVER, DERBY

First came hygge (cosy vibes), then lagom (minimalist chic), now meraki is the term du jour.   A classics lecturer at the University of Cambridge, Dr Myrto Hatzimichali says of meraki: “It loosely means taking pleasure at your work. Doing something with joy, attention to detail, putting in the extra mile… it means made with love and care and taking…

REVIEW: LOCH FYNE, NOTTINGHAM

REVIEW: LOCH FYNE, NOTTINGHAM

With the advent of a new season comes new seasonal menus introduced in restaurants across the country. One such eatery is Loch Fyne, who I have reviewed before.   Loch Fyne is described as an upscale chain restaurant whose offerings include sustainably sourced British fish and seafood, plus meat dishes. There are various menus including brunch, lunch, à la carte and children’s…

REVIEW: THAI BORAN, DERBY

REVIEW: THAI BORAN, DERBY

Despite it being the middle of August, the weather seems to have taken a turn for the worse. It is grey, dark and the non-stop rain makes the day feel heavier. This sort of weather makes me crave spicy food and hearty curries, which is why I found myself right at home at Thai Boran, Derby one chilly Friday evening.…

REVIEW: THE WHITE HART DUFFIELD, DERBYSHIRE

REVIEW: THE WHITE HART DUFFIELD, DERBYSHIRE

As The White Hart Duffield gears up to celebrate a very special birthday, I visit to review the new summer menu. Does the new menu deliver in the flavour stakes?   Have you ever watched the 1985 TV adaptation of Anne of Green Gables? Bonus points for reading Lucy Maud Montgomery most excellent series. If you haven’t watched it, you…

REVIEW: THE TAILORS ARMS, NOTTINGHAM

REVIEW: THE TAILORS ARMS, NOTTINGHAM

Do you have a local pub, one where it feels you’re home from home? One where everybody knows your name? I haven’t felt as if I had a proper local for ages. Historically, I have preferred the quiet when dining, and being busy with work has so far filled the need to slip down to the pub for meetup and…

REVIEW: JÖRO RESTAURANT SHEFFIELD

REVIEW: JÖRO RESTAURANT SHEFFIELD

***5 minute read***   If you’d have told me that I’d be spending my birthday in a shipping container, I would have laughed in your face.   I have a birthday bucket list, which consists of a list of places that I need to visit on the 25 of July each year. (Yes I am gratuitously telling you my birth…