Review – The Ring O’Bells in Warrington

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Last Saturday night we were invited to try out the menu at a local pub in Warrington. The Ring O’Bells is a completely new pub to us, and is located on Church Street on the outskirts of Warrington town centre. Despite its close proximity to the centre of town, the pub is nestled next to a beautiful church on a cobbled side street, and the pub itself is a listed building.

Open Fire

After going through a refurbishment in 2017, the pub has retained many of it’s features such as an open fire and traditional beams, which gives the pub a warm and cosy feel.… Continue reading

The all new Cookhouse and Pub in Northwich – Review

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At the weekend I was invited to try out the new Cookhouse and Pub, which has recently opened in Northwich. I like to think I am pretty clued up on the pub and restaurant brands of the UK, but Cookhouse and Pub is a new one to me. Part of the Whitbread chain there are currently 8 Cookhouse and Pubs around the UK, and the Northwich site has recently been rebranded from a popular Brewers Fayre pub. Having visited around 12 months ago, I was looking forward to seeing what changes had been made.

Cookhouse and Pub - Northwich

The first thing that struck me upon entering was how welcoming it was, and what a difference the change in interiors had made.… Continue reading

Celebrating the end of exams at Hickory’s, Chester

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I can finally say that the exams are over, and as a celebration we were invited to Hickory’s in Chester to try out their new family feast. Hickory’s Smokehouse has one of the best locations in Chester, as it sits right on the banks of the River Dee. With it’s lively and welcoming atmosphere, it is perfect for a celebration.

Hickorys in Chester

You start off the Hickory’s experience with complimentary popcorn, freshly popped on site. We were here to try out their family feast, but of course I couldn’t resist a look through their vast menu. From wood fired chicken skewers to classic hot dogs, cobb salads to the Smokehouse Platter, Hickory’s has it covered with their tastes of the deep south.… Continue reading

A Date Night at TGI Fridays

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Once a month the husband and I like to arrange a date night together, and I was especially looking forward to this month as it was during the Easter holidays. Of course I love spending time as a family, but ever since the kids were little, we have always made time for each other. After spending 2 nights in a Premier Inn all together over Easter, I was certainly looking forward to spending some quality time with just the husband at TGI Fridays.

TGI Fridays

It had been 2 years since we had last visited TGI Fridays, and I was looking forward to seeing any changes they had made to the menu.… Continue reading

A Gastronomy Evening at the newly refurbished Bistrot Pierre

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Last week my husband and I were invited to Bistrot Pierre to try out their ‘Soiree Gastronomique’ evening. We would be dining on a six course menu, which in itself is exciting. But since our last visit in October, their restaurant in Stockton Heath has had an exciting makeover, and we couldn’t wait to experience the newly refurbished Bistrot Pierre.

Dining and Activitiesat Q Lodges Slaley Hall (56)

On entering, I was pleased to see that the layout of the restaurant is very similar to how it was, and it still retains it’s welcoming feel. We both loved the fresh new look, the rustic wooden tables, the new colour scheme and the adornment of pictures and mirrors on the wall.… Continue reading

Dining at Bistrot Pierre in Stockton Heath

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Last Sunday evening my husband and I had the opportunity to visit our local Bistrot Pierre restaurant in Stockton Heath. It was our first visit to the popular chain of French restaurant, and I was really looking forward to our evening as I had heard excellent things about the cuisine from a close friend.

Review of Bistrot Pierre

There is a huge variety of eating places in Stockton Heath, and before our visit I must admit that French cuisine was never my top choice. But after dining at Bistrot Pierre my view has totally changed, and French cuisine now sits alongside my favourite, Italian dining.… Continue reading

Champagne Afternoon Tea at The Mere

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Afternoon tea has certainly had a huge revival over the past decade, and since turning 40 it’s one of my favourite things to do. When I wrote my A to Z of things to achieve this year, top of the list was to discover a new place for afternoon tea. Well in September I achieved this not once but twice, first enjoying afternoon tea in Birmingham during a weekend away with the girls. And the following week it was time for me to treat my mum for her birthday.

Champagne afternoon tea at The Mere

I decided to surprise her with afternoon tea at The Mere hotel in Knutsford in leafy Cheshire. … Continue reading

Italian Dining at Gusto in Knutsford

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Last week I was invited to try out the new menu at Gusto, an authentic Italian restaurant in the heart of Knutsford. I had previously dined at the restaurant 2 years ago, when myself and a group of girlfriends had visited for lunch. This time I was booked in for dinner with my best friend, and I was looking forward to experiencing Gusto in the evening.

Gusto in Knutsford

You will find Gusto nestled amongst the many restaurants of Knutsford, and as we walked along the high street you realise what a vibrant town it is. It was an unusually warm sunny evening, and as we approached the restaurant you could hear the lively chatter coming from the open windows.… Continue reading

Family Meals – Eating Out or Eating in

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Treating the family to a special meal is always a great opportunity to get together, eat delicious food and catch up on everyone’s news. It seems there’s quite a few families nowadays who don’t sit down together at the end of every day. Instead eating separately, and missing out on all-important family time.

The Brook Restaurant

As the price of living and eating out has gradually increased, are families going to restaurants as much as they used to? Has the growing number of home delivery food companies encouraged families to stay at home. Choosing to dine in the comfort of their own home? Are parents still happy to pay for the additional costs that come with restaurant dining, like travel and restaurant tipping?… Continue reading

Review – Handmade Burger Co in Bath

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During our recent trip to Bath, there was one place where the teen was desperate to eat at…… The Handmade Burger Co. The husband and I had dined at the Grand Central restaurant in Birmingham a few months back. And when we discovered we could also devour their burgers in Bath, we couldn’t wait for our evening at The Handmade Burger Co.

Handmade Burger Co - Bath

Our table was booked for Valentine’s Day. For my husband and son, a succulent burger is the perfect way to celebrate the day of love. I was resigned to the fact that there would be no cosy romantic meal for 2, as we were away for the kids.… Continue reading