I love a good meal out, in fact, our friends & family are always winding us up about how much we like to indulge on trips to our favourite restaurants. You see, when you have an unhealthy relationship with food (#relationshipgoals) it’s hard to pass up any opportunity when invited along to review somewhere, especially when food of all epic proportions is involved #ilovefood. We were asked by The Botanist in Leeds to come and try their brand spanking, new menu for the summer months and without hesitation I was like “GIMME ALL DEM FOODS. I AM THERE. WHERE DO I SIGN UP?” because, girl loves food.
If there’s a cocktail bar that gets me excited in Leeds, it has to be The Alchemist at Trinity. It’s got a rooftop terrace, it feels so airy and light and the cocktails are divine. When I was invited along to visit their brand spanking new The Alchemist Greek Street, Leeds I knew that I had to give it a whirl. We’d been asked to review a full three course meal along with drinks to review on my blog and here I am to give you a true account of our experience. They describe their extensive list of cocktails of that of a “renowned Smokey Old Fashioned and the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party” rolled all in to one giving you a unique cocktail experience.
I don’t know about you, but every now & then I like to have my husband all to myself. No dogs, no friends & no in-laws in tow. Thanks to Vue Cinema who kindly gifted us some tickets to watch a film of our choice I was going to get that night with my husband (oh, and maybe Liam Neeson too?)
In true cinema style we headed to Frankie & Benny’s to fill our tummy’s with some scrumptious food beforehand. It’s something of a ritual that we must go to one of those big food chains and pig out on as much food as you can so you can then sit in a food coma during the film.On arrival it was a little busy so I ordered my favuourite cocktail, a ”Woo Woo.” It had to be one of the best versions that I have ever tried, full points to F&B’s for an awesome cocktail & James had a Stella to clear away the cobwebs. After being seated in our little booth Icouldn’t help but find myself singing/humming along to the American Italian music that was filling the air. The atmosphere at Frankie & Benny’s is second to none, especially when the Birthday Boy or Girl has to stand on the chair and have a resounding chorus of ”Happy Birthday” sang to them.
As I perused the menu I just could not decide what to have, everything sounded too tasty! I finally decided upon Garlic & Cheese mushrooms for my starter & the New Jersey Chicken for my main course. Both of which were spot on. The New Jersey Chicken isa whole fresh chicken breast topped with crispy bacon and pulled pork, smothered in their famous BBQ and jalapeño cheese sauces. Served with spicy onion rings, corn on the cob, coleslaw & fries. James had the meatball starter & the Black Pepper Mayo burger, which he struggled with mainly because of the bread but he said it was delicious all the same! Service was a little slow but it was a Saturday night & truth be told we were happy just taking our time as we were a little early for the film. So of course desert was needed & we opted for the decadent Peanut Butter Cheesecake with peanut butter ice-cream. I am sure some of you saw the photos on Instagram & it really did taste as good as it looked. Thankfully Mr C & I shared as it was a masterpiece but very sweet!
Now, Mr C & I bickered all day about what film to go see. He wanted to see Taken 3 & I wanted to see Theory of Everything. Of course, he bloody won but on the contraire he picked up the tab at F&B’s so I will let him have this one, this time! And you know what, I’m pretty glad we did go see it as it was so fast paced & action packed I did not want to move my eyes from the screen. For those who don’t know what Taken 3 is all about have a little read here! After being assigned seats closer to the back (I didn’t know you couldn’t sit where you liked anymore with Vue. This was a bit of a pooper as it felt like everyone was sat on each others knee’s!) I got comfy in my corner & then I slowly gauged my way through a large popcorn, which is a must when you go to the cinema right? The thrill of the film was just too much to bear, (spoiler alert coming!)was Liam Neeson going to catch who killed his ex-wife? Who was going to get there ass royally kicked next? You just didn’t know. Even though it was a later screening it was jam-packed with Taken die-hard fans who ”Oh’ed” & gasped in the right places.
It was pretty late when we got out of the cinema & terribly icy, after a debate of whether or not we should meet some friends at the pub we decided against it & headed home. We’d had a lovely evening & it was time to get in our PJ’s and get ready for a nice, lazy Sunday!
Have you been to the Cinema recently? What did you go see? Let me know your suggestions for next time!
There is nothing I enjoy more than a good burger joint. Sadly, you have to venture to the bigger cities near us such as Leeds, York or Harrogate to be given some meat-a-licious joy. But not now. Now we have the wonderful Sir Dukes to wet our burger ridden appetite.
Recently opened in the old spot of Bon Appetite, this new Bar & Grill gives our little Market Town of Wetherby something it has been missing for a long, long time. Whilst we do have a few select, lovely restaurants in the area we just lack those funky little spots that echo that city charm that we very rarely get in the countryside. I for one could not be happier with this place.
Located in an old, limestone building it oozes that farmhouse style but then when you walk through the door it becomes very quirky. Lots of random pieces of art throughout that you don’t know where to look. We were here early doors to enjoy the Buy 1 get 1 free offer that they are currently promoting so we got a nice spot right next to the original fireplace and at the window for some perfect people watching fun.
We were handed two menus by a lovely host (who I must commend on his royal blue suit – top marks for style there!) Whilst the menu is predominantly meaty, they don’t do too many options which I think is good as it keeps things simple and the process of eating out so much less stressful of having to choose. This place offers burgers, hanging kebabs and a selection from the grill. All of which made my mouth water at the thoughts. I ummed and ahhed about which burger to go for between a simple burger with cheese and trimming or the ‘’Grand Old Duke of Pork’’ (I love the play on words here!) and settled for the latter.
Of course, I was not disappointed with my choice. A thick locally reared beef burger, lashing of pulled pork and peanut butter sauce, accompanied with a honey glazed spare rib, bacon popcorn and some skinny fries. I will wait whilst you just take that in, because it took me a while to process it when it was put in front of me!
You know those meals you get that just cannot be put in to words how good it was? Well this is one of those moments. EVERY. SINGLE. BITE. Was just ridiculously tasty. The beef was cooked to perfection and the pulled pork and peanut butter sauce tasted like a dream and really complimented one another. Bacon popcorn? I hear you say! Yes, and despite all of the odds that should be against it, it was amazing and tasted exactly like a piece of bacon should do. The honey glazed spare rib was perfectly succulent and fell off the bone, just how I like it! And the skinny fries, well you can see where this blog post is going, were DIVINE, especially when it was lashed with Sir Dukes own home made BBQ & Whiskey sauce.
Okay, so of course we were ready to pop after this delicious meal. However, nothing was going to stop us wanting some form of desert afterwards & Sir Dukes do cakes pretty well here. Mr C opted for the Chocolate Fudge Rolo cake which just melted in your mouth (of course I stole a cheeky bite, or two? I have to I’m his wife!)
Whilst he chomped away on the sickly sweet desert I opted to try out one of the cocktails they had on offer, priced at £6 it wasn’t the cheapest cocktail but as we were eating on the BOGOF deal I thought I might as well treat myself & boy am I glad I did?! I opted for the ‘’Solero’’ cocktail which is a passion fruit flavoured drink that is amazing. It was sweet but had a nice tart after kick which I like with my cocktails. It certainly went down a treat!
After our bellies being delightfully full and VERY happy we asked for the bill. Marcus, the owner came over and say Hello as I had mentioned on Twitter & Facebook that we were heading over for a bite to eat which was lovely. All the staff made us feel so welcome and I think this will pay dividends with the local community.
The bill came to a grand total of £33 + tip. This included, two burger with skinny fries, 2 coleslaws, 2 Peroni’s, Chocolate Fudge Rolo cake & a Solero cocktail – I thought it was extremely reasonable for the quality and standard of food we had just feasted on. They even give you wham bars with your bill which wins me over alone!
Overall this new Bar & Grill is a refreshing new joint in Wetherby, if you like cool and quirky with a burger thrown in to the mix then I would not hesitate suggesting this local restaurant! It was a first time experience and it certainly won’t be our last. I wish it all it’s success, however I don’t think it needs my wishes as they seem to be doing everything right without them!
I love to hear about local eateries so if you know of any then let me know, I’d love to hear from you!
Whilst the boys played on the bank holiday for Mr C’s stag do, the girls were going to play too!
It started with my mum putting on a lovely spread for my bridesmaids and close family on the Saturday afternoon/evening so we could get together. It was so lovely to have the ones I love altogether!
I even made a start on our place cards for the wedding. My mum & I made a little bit of bunting with her super cool cutting machine! (She is a serious crafter) She deserved a bunch a flowers for putting up with my hormonal self!
So off we then went to York! My girls I tow and also my little sister which was really nice. We managed to get a table in York Revolution and my friend works there so we enjoyed the cocktails & shots all night (& of course managed a dance!)
Then on the Sunday we enjoyed a trip to YO1 festival at York racecourse which was awesome! We didn’t stay too late as we had had one two many cocktails the night before, but it was definitely a case of “Hair of the Dog”
We saw some good bands and quite frankly danced our little socks off! It got me in the mood for Leeds Festival!!
We also had the most AMAZING pulled pork sandwich & it was quite frankly the coolest food stall I have see!
What have you been doing on your bank holidays?
I don’t now about you, but I can’t wait for the next one?!
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