A real hidden gem of a hotel sitting on the edge of Scotland's only lake - the rest are lochs. Newly refurbished in a low key New England style, the views are to die for, the service is friendly but unobtrusive and the food is exceptional. It's only an hour from Scotland's big cities but you truly feel like a million miles away. The setting has incredible feeling of peace and tranquility about it that revives the soul and feeds the spirit (or perhaps that's the great whisky collection!)
The Lake of Menteith Hotel
Port of Menteith
Perthshire
Scotland
FK8 3RA
T:01877 385258
F:01877 385671
enquiries@lake-hotel.com
www.lake-hotel.com
Nearest Station - Stirling
If you're tired of Italian, Indian, and Chinese restaurants, then this might be just up your street.
Eemaan is a Kurdish restaurant in Newcastle,so when I saw it I felt I just had to try it. The food was delicious and the surroundings friendly. I got an even better surprise when I checked out the bill, which was fabulously value-for-money.
Kurdish food, I found out, is mostly rice and delicious casseroles with fresh naan, washed down with loads of mastow. The Kurdish and middle eastern people drink lashings of this yoghurt drink. If you've still got any room left after the huge portions, try a steaming hot Kurdish tea which they brew in a samovar and a selection of pastries.
This restaurant makes cooking rice an art form, and I loved the yummy naan. If you've never tried Kurdish food before, I wholeheartedly recommend that you do, although a word of warning - as a halal restaurant it does not serve alcohol.
Address: 5 Mill Lane, Newcastle Upon Tyne.
Tel: 0191-2734743
Link to review by Evening Chronicle: icnewcastle.icnetwork.co.uk/0300entertainment/nightsout/tm_headline=eemann-newcastle%26method=full%26objectid=19564620%26siteid=50081-name_page.html
This is a hidden gem, tucked away down steps accessed via an alleyway off King's Parade, opposite the main gate to King's College. It's a vegetarian establishment but if you're not veggie, don't let that deter you. The place is small but very pleasant inside and the staff are very helpful and friendly. The food was fantastic, really tasty with a very varied choice, not cheap but not overpriced either, and worth every penny. The beetroot chocolate cake was to die for (and I don't particularly like beetroot.) If I didn't live five hours drive away I'd certainly go again just for that. Well worthy of a recommendation.
9a Kings Parade, Cambridge, CB2 1SJ
Telephone: 01223 321551
Great alternative theatrical dining experience. It's had sell-out performances across South Africa over the past two years. The show combines performances from contortionists, comedians and circus actors with a four-course meal and it would be a great Christmas experience.
Battersea Power Station - a 5 minute walk from Vauxhall tube station
We went to El Torero Loco for a quick after work drink - we ended up staying there all night! It really is a tapas place with a difference - stylish with a glamorous sofa area at the back. Great happy hour 5-7pm, with amazing cocktails. The tapas were divine - try the chorizo stew and gambas.
351 Fulham road, London (Chelsea)
www.eltoreroloco.co.uk
Gloucester road or Fulham Broadway
Because it is the best Mexican in town.
Thistle Street Edinburgh
This is a truly new way to eat out, if you want to take a break from exploring the city. I stumbled upon this place while out and about in Soho with some friends. The food is Eastern-Asian and tastes fantastic, but instead of ordering all of your drinks and food from a waiter, you use Inamo’s special gizmo. It projects a virtual menu onto your table and by using your fingers you can navigate through the food and drinks and it will even show you a picture of what it is that you are eating!
You don’t need a waiter at all (but they are still around to help), you can take your time ordering and eating, and you can even play battleships and order a cab home. It’s something that I’ve not seen anywhere else before and definitely worth a look!
134-136 Wardour Street, Soho, London, W1F 8ZP
Chowdreys Restaurant was formally "Chowdreys Ambala." The food, service and quality has much improved since the new management took over. Its a great restaurant - very modern, very big and the decor is great.
Two floors with seating for upto 200 they can cater for all sorts parties, birthdays and events.
Overall great place to eat they dont do alcohol, food is fantastic as is the environment and service.
342 Great Horton Road,
Bradford,
BD7 1QJ
01274 579374
www.chowdreysrestaurants.com
Cafe Sereno does great breakfasts, dinners and snacks. I eat there a lot, and have yet to be disappointed. Great atmosphere, food and service. The main meals have a great Italian touch - the meatballs have to be tasted to be believed.
www.cafe-sereno.com
Albany Road
Start off at Bill's Produce Store on North Road, where you can enjoy colourful platefuls of homemade pizza, quiche and salad in a huge room lined with delicious-looking preserves, pickles and other goodies. You'll be near North Laine now, so go for a post-lunch potter amongst the shops selling anything from vegetarian shoes to kooky sex toys.
If you have any space left after Bill's, a visit to the Bar du Chocolat on Middle Street is a must. Run by the iconic Brighton confectioners Choccywoccydoodah (Duke Street), the hot chocolate is top rate. For one last gastronomic treat, make sure you book a table at Terre a Terre, one of the top vegetarian restaurants in the country, and one of the few to serve up 'haute cuisine' vegetarian food. After all that indulgence, Sunday morning can be a bracing walk along the seafront towards Hove, past the dejected looking West Pier and towards the ice-cream coloured beach huts.
Try Bill's Produce Store for a spot of lunch. It’s ‘the in place’ at the moment but it still feels very genuine. Good prices, friendly service. The North Laines area is also worth a visit particularly for last-minute funky presents. The new library building should also be seen (Carluccio’s café and shop is just around the corner too).
This is the best diner in Glasgow. Great menu range, bucks fizz on offer and all sitting on old corporation train seats. A real find!
25 Parnie Street Glasgow, G1 5RJ
0141 552 7999
Lurking in the hinterland that is Hack-Hack-Hackney, this little bit of east has most definitely missed out on the regeneration, but it's also missed out on the outlaw years of estates, grime and crime. It's a beautiful spot offering tranquillity amongst the sprawl, where you can stroll along the river, watch the wildlife scuttle by, catch a real odd (but truly unique) pint at the Hope and Anchor, or pick up a fry-up at the cafe opposite Lea Valley Marina. Beautiful, chilled and totally hidden.
Nice little pub close to Charing Cross and Trafalgar Square. Great place for a quick pint while sightseeing.
Northumberland St. near Charing Cross and Embankment stations
Great area especially on a Thursday and Friday when they have a food market that attracts the local workers. Also has some great restaurants: Moro, Medcalf and The Ambassador.
Exmouth Market, just off Farringdon Road. 10 minutes' walk from Farringdon and Angel tube stations
A club in Shoreditch where you can enjoy very good food, a games lounge, ten pin bowling, spa treatments, a rooftop swim with magnificent city views.
Ebor Street, London E1
Closest tube Liverpool Street
It's a delightful surprise behind the hustle and bustle of The Strand with a beautiful courtyard for fountains or movies, a museum of Russian artifacts from St Petersburg (The Hermitage Rooms) and a wonderful collection of paintings and other pieces of artwork at the Courtauld Gallery. There is a basement cafe at the Gallery, or a terrace restaurant overlooking the Thames, or The Admiralty for finer dining.
Somerset House
The Strand
London
W1
Bistro restaurants - excellent value for money, for example two-course lunch for £6.90; dinner for £7.90; three-course lunch for £9.90 and dinner for £10.90. Delicious Mediterranean food and good, quick, informal service.
www.bistro1.co.uk/
3 branches: 1 on Southampton Street, 1 on Beak Street and 1 on Frith Street.
Just fallen out of bed after a great weekend in Edinburgh. It has it all for a fab short break without the hassle of a flight. Try the Cafe Royal just off Princes Street - best oysters ever. We stayed at the Holyrood hotel which had a low weekend rate on Edinburgh hotels website.
A relative newcomer to the Edinburgh bar and bistro scene, 99 is a great place to chill and party. The relaxed and comfortable decor is comfy-living-room-bohemian chic which makes the food and the cocktails even more enjoyable.
99 Hanover Street, just off George Street which runs parallel to Princes Street.
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