With 130 branches in the UK alone, Wagamama is far from an independent neighbourhood ramen joint; and the recent sale of the business to the owner of Frankie and Benny's confirms this. However, the chain doesn't play to the same kitsch nostalgia as its new stablemate. Instead, it forges on with a successful business model … Continue reading Review: Wagamama
Ok, so I'm going to have to let you down / fill you with untold relief. This is not really a clichéd Buzzfeed listicle devoted to cooking canines. This is classic #clickbait. Chances are you clicked on the link out of a mixture of shock, disgust, and morbid curiosity. But why does the thought of … Continue reading 17 dog meat recipes you can’t live without
This week, I share a few of the things I have learned about my mental health as I have dug myself out of a hole. It's no secret that I've been feeling a bit rough round the edges of late. I wrote a bit about my mental health here a few months back, and I received … Continue reading On the meds, and on the mend: 5 things I have learned about my mental health
In the wake of the deaths of Scott Hutchison, Kate Spade, and Anthony Bourdain, people are talking much more openly about mental health. I came across a no-doubt-hackneyed epigram on Twitter this week, which whispered 'check on your strong friend.' This struck a chord. I am loud and outgoing, I wear my heart on my … Continue reading Check on your strong friend: Some thoughts on mental health
I used to be pretty inflexible when it came to food. Don't get me wrong, I'm not fussy at all, but I have some rules. I am a firm believer in a hot meal for dinner. Now and again - and only at the height of summer - we'll have bread, cheese, cured meat and … Continue reading This Week I’m Mostly: Upgrading Your Chilli Con Carne
Cat went back to work last week. Monday was the first day that she, The Boy, and I were all in different places for a whole day, and it felt pretty odd. I headed home early to give him his dinner, and to relieve my mum - who has generously taken on Monday childminding duties. … Continue reading Back to Work, Back to (the New) Reality
First off, sorry for the late post. I seem to have been plagued by ill health since The Boy came along. I guess a year of sleepless nights is bad for you. Who knew, right!? The theme of this week has been chest infection, exhaustion, light-headedness, and a stomach bug. If you think I am … Continue reading The 9 best food shows on Netflix
Hi folks, sorry for the radio silence last week, sometimes life gets in the way. This has been another hectic week, with a 650 mile round trip to visit my granny in Thurso, and The Boy turning one today! As a result, I haven't had time to write a full blog post. Instead, I am … Continue reading Review: Buck and Birch – nurture nature, eat.
Last week marked a significant watershed. For the first time since he was born almost a year ago, Cat and I broke free from the tyranny of our tiny human captor. For a whole evening. Together. Not content with this miraculous coup d'bébé, we doubled down - venturing out sans Boy again - this time … Continue reading This week I’m mostly… Reclaiming some freedom: first date night post baby
Set back from the road - and surrounded by a hedged kitchen garden - sits The Gardener's Cottage. The old stone building originally housed the gardener of the Royal Terrace Gardens, but has been repurposed by chefs Dale Mailley and Edward Murray, as a chapel to seasonal and local cooking. It's hard to put your … Continue reading The Gardener’s Cottage: Local, Seasonal, Reverent
