Tag Archives: scotland

Neilston War Memorial By Mary Cooper

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There is a village near Glasgow which, one hundred years after the event, is erecting a monument to the war dead. Some think it is too much, that we don’t need this monstrosity to remind us.

 

But memory is fallible and we are, after all, only human and, in times of war, are capable of terrible deeds, mostly driven by fear. Those who have lived through war will have seen the worst that we can be. The first world war is a perfect example: bloody battles, torture and not least the terrible hardship our fathers, husbands, brothers and sons had to endure in the trenches and tunnels which became home as war dragged on; terror, horror and boredom in equal measure while, at home, mothers, wives, sisters and daughters pulled together to keep everything running so that those who came back when it was all over would know that the sacrifices had been worth everything.

 

The monument is well under way and should be ready by the summer of this year; we stood in the rain and biting wind last Sunday and watched the first stone being laid. A lone piper played a melancholy drone as we stood huddled while the speeches were given; the cold wind driving the needles of rain into our faces stinging our eyes, a stark reminder of what those men in the trenches had had to endure, not only for ten minutes but for months at a time in the bloody fields of battle.

We retired to the cafe afterwards for a warm drink, rubbing our cold hands and wiping the tears from our eyes; not so for those gallant men, there had been no respite from the bitter wind of war.

 

It is going to be the grandest thing in the village, some think too grand. But I believe it should be grand just as the sacrifices were and still are, something to stand out so that people passing will stop and take notice, read the names of those who died to keep us safe and remember that they are the reason we live the lives that we live, free and safe.

Freedom is a hard fought battle which never ends. The monument will be built, lest we forget.

 

 

 

The Magnum Restaurant Review Edinburgh

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magnum-sleep-mediumThe Magnum restaurant’s dining room glitters like gold. There are rows of fairy lights draped across each street facing window and magnum sized bottles of champagne decorating every shelf.

This is a room full of unexpected surprises – especially after walking through a rather dingy bar to get to it. The restaurant’s atmosphere is quiet and intimate. There is plenty of space between each table, making it the perfect venue for a private candlelit meal.

Our well-spoken waitress sits us at a table for two in one corner of this room. We have a window to our right, which overlooks Albany Street (where this restaurant is located) and a view of the dining room bar to our left.

The dining room bar is very different to the main bar that you have to walk through en-route to this small restaurant… there are no punters propping up the bar here, just the bar staff preparing drinks.

The table settings are relaxed (two sets of cutlery, side plates and paper napkins) and the restaurant and bar menu is urban chic – it’s a folding wooden menu.

There are five starters on the menu and all are under £7.00. There is homemade soup of the day, one game dish, two fish dishes and a vegetarian option. The gazpacho topped with hand picked Scottish crab, avocado cream, pepper brunoise and baby tomato finished with olive oil tempts both my partner and I. But, as crab meat can sometimes be a little overpowering for us, we decide on the carpaccio of spice rubbed duck and the Scottish smoked salmon with warm dill pancakes.

On scanning the wine list, we come across this quote: “Wine is bottled poetry” by Robert Louis Stevenson. I quite agree and order a bottle of the house white for us to try. My rule when dining out is this… if a restaurant has good quality house wine, then you know it is a good restaurant.

Starters

When our waitress places our duck and salmon starters in front of us, my partner and I both look at each other and smile. It is not just the dining room that is full of unexpected surprises at The Magnum, it is the food too. We were both expecting pub style food – something hearty that tastes nice more than looks nice. But, the presentation of both these starters is superb. It’s not fine dining, but it is colourful and creative.

My carpaccio of spice rubbed duck is laid out on the plate like a bicycle wheel. The long, lightly pink fingers of duck stretch outwards like spokes from the Romanesco floret, fennel and baby leaf centre and the small circular drops of burnt orange syrup between each piece of duck resemble the nuts and bolts.

I cut a mouthful of duck and dip it into the syrup. It is exceptionally thin, just as carpaccio should be, and has a delicate texture. It melts in my mouth, leaving a pleasant sweet and sour aftertaste.

My partner’s salmon looks festive, reminding me of  a Christmas cracker. A rectangle shaped handful of lambs leaf is secured between two half moon shaped smoked salmon and dill pancakes. A mound of parsnip crisps on either side of the salmon remind me of the ends of a cracker, making me want to pull them.

My partner dips a piece of salmon into the accompanying horseradish cream and nods his head in appreciation.

Maincourse

Again, the maincourse menu offers five possibilities, ranging from £14.50 to £22.50.

We both stick to the same theme for our maincourses. My partner carries on the fish theme and orders the pan-fried sea trout with a chorizo, podded pea and saffron potato fricassee and a warm caper and tarragon dressing. And I carry on the game theme by ordering the seared venison haunch with soured cabbage, Montbeliard sausage, green beans, baked beetroot and rosemary jus.

Seared Venison Haunch

It’s hard to find good restaurants that offer seasonal game on the menu in Edinburgh. But, The Magnum is one of them.

I smell the seared venison haunch before I see it – there is an earthiness and a Scottishness about the smell that is truly unique. And the taste is equally as memorable. It feels like a heady mix of heather and moor has exploded in your mouth. We are what we eat, as the saying goes, and our red deer feast on the very best that the Scottish Highlands have to offer…

The presentation of this dish is spot on too. Three seared cuts of haunch rest on a bed of cabbage and green beans, and two thick chunks of sausage are marinating in the beetroot and rosemary jus that encircles this dish.

My partner’s sea trout rests on top of the chorizo, pea and potato fricassee mix. It looks colourful and is just as rustic as my venison dish. The portions are substantial here, but my partner’s plate is empty within minutes – which is always a good sign.

We feel contentedly full, but order desserts’ anyway after reading that Cranachan cheesecake is on the menu. Cranachan is a traditional Scottish dessert containing oats, cream, whisky and raspberries. It’s normally served as a trifle, so it will be interesting to try it cheesecake style.

Dessert

The Cranachan cheesecake with red berry coulis and raspberry compote and the chocolate and macadamia nut pudding with chocolate sauce and white chocolate and rosemary ice cream look stunning on the plate. Both portions are small and simple. The Chef has let each dessert take centre stage and has only added as much condiment as is necessary, which makes a nice change. You feel that you are eating little works of art, rather than tucking into a diabetics nightmare.

The Cranachan cheesecake tastes like traditional Cranachan, but the addition of the shortbread base and the thick raspberry compote topping transform it into a modern master. The Chef has also used a few pieces of dried Scottish heather as decoration on the plate, which is not just noteworthy but poignant.

The chocolate and macadamia nut pudding with chocolate sauce is as decadent as it sounds. But the white chocolate and rosemary ice cream ice cream cancel out the American heritage of this dessert and give it a refined look and taste.

Our thoughts

The Magnum restaurant in Edinburgh is not a posh eatery. It is a relaxing and informal hidden gem that I am loath to publicize – only because I want it to retain its quiet, intimate charm.

The Chef uses local and seasonal produce and is not afraid to cook traditional Scottish dishes. He has cooked us a meal that is  proud of its  roots. One that uses the best of our resources. And one that fills us with comfort after a long day battling the cold.

The Magnum restaurant is one of only two game restaurants in Edinburgh that I would recommend. It is a restaurant for everyone. A place where you can breathe and sit back and not worry about what you’re wearing or how you look. It’s a place to go for good food. But then, I knew that at the beginning of our meal after sampling the house wine. My one restaurant rule has never failed me yet: if a restaurant has good quality house wine, then you know it is a good restaurant.

 

 

 

Contact details:

 

For reservations call: 0131 557 4366

 

The Magnum Bar and Restaurant is open 7 days.

 

Sunday to Thursday from 12 pm to 12 am

 

Friday to Saturday at 12 pm to 1 am

 

Website: http://www.themagnum.webeden.co.uk/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Stockbridge Restaurant Review Edinburgh

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As our taxi parks up in a residential street, the first thing I have to ask the driver is: “Where is The Stockbridge Restaurant?” But this is not a negative. The Stockbridge Restaurant, situated in the bohemian area of Stockbridge – in Edinburgh’s New Town – is hidden from view down a steep flight of town house steps, in the basement of a Georgian building.

We are the first guests to arrive at 7 pm on a Friday evening in November. Our waitress – an elegant young woman with a European accent – takes our coats and seats us at a table for two in a cosy corner of this room. There is a big table to our right that is set for a party of ten and six other tables positioned intimately in this space, which is more like a friend’s dining room than a restaurant.

There are black painted stonewalls decorated with mirrors; paintings by Scottish colourists; and purple patterned black out curtains along the street facing wall. The small bar, to the rear of this dining room, is made up of wooden shelves that are stacked with a variety of Scottish Gins to include Boe, Hendricks, The Botanist, Old Raj and Edinburgh Gin. But the most charming parts of this interior are the linen covered tables, with linen napkins and gold damask chairs, as well as the old fireplace filled with glowing candles and a cascade of white melted candle wax.

Chive and Chervil Pesto

To help us settle in, we are given a wine and drinks list, as well as a basket of toasted bread. The bread is cut into triangles and there are three varieties to choose from – white, brown and black olive bread. To show us that The Stockbridge Restaurant is a little more unusual than many Edinburgh dining establishments, we are given the traditional choice of toast topping (a small ceramic pot filled with butter) and an original offering. In a small ceramic pouring pot is a runny grass green liquid that we are told contains a homemade chive and chervil pesto.

My mum orders two large glasses of white wine for us – one glass of the Stoney Range Sauvignon Blanc from Sherwood Estate in New Zealand and one glass of the Santa Rosa Viognier from Argentina – while I pour this chive and chervil pesto over a triangle of black olive bread.

This combination reminds me of a lovely spring day and I quickly pour more pesto onto a second triangle of bread.

Set Menu or A La Carte Menu

Our waitress gives us a choice of two menus. There is a Set Menu available from Tuesday to Friday, which offers two courses for £20.95 or three courses for £24.95. Or, there is the A La Carte Menu available from 7 pm between Tuesday and Saturday. After having a quick scan over both menus, we decide on the A la Carte Menu – the more imaginative of the two.

There are five starters to choose from and all are priced at £7.95 except for the seared scallops with butternut squash puree, apple salsa, walnuts and Serrano ham, which is advertised at £12.45. There are two meat dishes, two fish dishes and one cheese dish to choose from.

The braised ox cheeks tempt me… but I decide to have an evening of game dishes instead – since we are now into November and the Scottish grouse, partridge, pheasant and hind season is in full swing. Jason Gallagher, Chef and Owner, sources all his game meat from Braehead Foods in Kilmarnock, Ayrshire (http://www.braeheadfoods.co.uk/).

I order the partridge breast and confit leg with leek puree, wild mushrooms and Madeira sauce to start and my mum picks the trio of cheese: goats cheese fondant with beetroot puree, blue cheese soufflé and cheddar cheese sausage.

The five maincourses on offer (two fish dishes and three game dishes) start at £20.95 and rise to £24.95 for the grouse and venison options. My mum orders the grilled halibut while I order the venison loin with venison pie.

The imagination that has gone into this selection of maincourses is superb, especially if you love game. But, if I had to highlight something, I would say that the maincourses might be off-putting to a vegetarian – especially as one of the two fish dishes is served with crispy pancetta. Not all vegetarians eat fish, so it would be good to offer a 100% vegetarian option on the A La Carte maincourse menu – similar to what the chef has already done with the starter menu.

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Amuse Bouche

To our surprise, two small square dishes are placed in front of us containing an amuse bouche  (The French term, ‘amuse bouche’ means a tiny portion of food served before the starter to stimulate the appetite).

The dish looks more Japanese than French though – probably due to the colour of the small square dish, which is black. But, it’s a cute idea.

Everything is in miniature. Sitting on top of a tiny rectangular sized piece of Parma ham is half a cherry tomato filled with tiny mozzarella cubes and sliced spring onions. This miniature wonder is finished off with a drizzle of balsamic glaze and a sprig of parsley.

In two bites, it is gone. But it leaves a lovely fresh taste in my mouth and has done what it is meant to do – it has whetted my appetite.

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Starters

My mum and I both smile as our starters are laid in front of us. This is not what we were expecting at all – but in the best of ways.

My partridge breast and confit leg rest on a bed of vibrant green, the leek puree, and are surrounded by an assortment of wild mushrooms oozing with Madeira sauce. A small bouquet of parsley adds the finishing touch to this dish.

Even though I am mesmerised by the presentation of my mums starter, I cannot wait to start my own and end up trying a few bites of partridge and mushroom before we both clink glasses and toast the beginning of our meal.

To say the partridge is tender would be an understatement – the meat breaks off the confit leg at the lightest touch and the pink breast is cooked to perfection. The whole starter works very well and I can’t help thinking that this would be an achievable dish to cook at home. It’s a simple and traditional pairing of ingredients, cooked and presented in a modern fine dining style.

But the winner for best presentation must go to my mum’s starter: the trio of cheeses. The three different cheese dishes are presented side by side on a rectangular white plate – and they are all in miniature.

A small cheddar cheese sausage, which looks like a potato croquette, sits in the centre of a red circle of chilli sauce to the left. The goat’s cheese fondant rests on a brush stroke of beetroot puree and has three homemade savoury wafers rising like candles from its centre. And, lastly, the blue cheese soufflé has a dab of blue cheese sauce on top. This artistic presentation is interwoven with basil leaves still attached to their stem.

Sorbet

Just to remind us that we are in a fine dining establishment, our waitress brings us two small square dishes, each containing one scoop of homemade passionfruit sorbet, to suck slowly before the maincourse. The amuse bouche and the sorbet have been a welcome surprise – and they have transformed our three course meal into a five course meal.

Maincourses

The sorbet has cleansed our palate in preparation for the maincourse. This time it is my choice that wins the best presentation award.

My mum’s grilled halibut sits on a bed of crispy pancetta and crushed potatoes that are surrounded by spinach, mushrooms and an Arran mustard sauce. The fried quail egg rests to the side of this piece of halibut and is decorated with parsley. It looks appetising and it tastes very good, but it melts into insignificance next to my venison loin with venison pie – this presentation and combination is the best I have seen anywhere, including some famous London restaurants.

I took the chefs advice and had the venison loin cooked medium rare and it looks perfect, resting in a fan shape on top of the parsnip puree and surrounded by braised red cabbage, roasted vegetables, balls of piped mash potato and just enough port sauce.

But the pièce de résistanceis the venison pie, which comes in a ramekin with two rustic savoury wafers rising out of the mashed potato topping like deer antlers. In short, it is absolutely delicious. Everything on the plate compliments each other, from the sweet flavours of the parsnips and red cabbage to the very rustic flavours of the meat and plain potato mash.

Desserts

Eager not to miss our train home, we deliberate on whether to have desserts – as they can take between 20 to 30 minutes to prepare. But, after being assured by the host and co-owner of The Stockbridge Restaurant, Jane Walker (wife of Jason Gallagher) that she will put in a special request with the kitchen to make sure that our desserts come as quickly as possible, we order the chocolate brulee with chocolate brownie and the banana tart tatin.

Jane has just arrived in the restaurant. The locals eat here late and it’s only now, at just after 8.30 pm, that the dining room has become lively and full.

“We are often here until after midnight,” Jane says. “A lot of our customers don’t start eating their maincourses until after 10 pm.”

Banana tart tatin and Chocolate brulee

This time, both of our desserts win the best presentation award. My mum’s banana tart tatin is presented in the centre of a square white plate. To the right is a small pouring pot of butterscotch sauce and to the left is a neat scoop of vanilla ice cream. It’s a very minimalist looking dessert that has big chunks of banana in it. My mum assures me it tastes as good as it looks – and we are told that this dessert is the most popular.

My chocolate brulee is presented in a shot glass. There is one scoop of milk chocolate ice cream to the right of this brulee and a small, rectangular chunk of chocolate brownie to the left. The brownie is surrounded by two piped clusters of white chocolate mousse, which look like meringues. It is the first time that I have tasted chocolate brulee and it will not be my last. The combination of burnt sugar topping and creamy chocolate brulee is heavenly.

Coffee and Petit Fours

We finish our meal with an Americano and a cafe latte, served with homemade petit fours – two chunks of rocky road cake, two strips of chocolate chip biscotti and two after eight circles. It’s a nice final touch to this five course feast and, needles to say, the petit fours do not last as long as the coffee.

I don’t like to use the words perfect or amazing in my restaurant reviews because restaurants are like people – they are full of flaws if you look hard enough. But, I like to focus on the positives and not the negatives because I know how hard it is to make restaurants work – both my parents are restaurateurs.

So, to give credit where credit is due, I can honestly say that The Stockbridge Restaurant is as near to perfect as any restaurant can hope to be. The location is safe and interesting – and only a ten to fifteen minute walk from Edinburgh’s famous Princes street and Royal Mile. The architecture is beautiful and the dining room is intimate. The décor sets the scene for an evening of indulgence and relaxation and the staff are eager to please without being intrusive. The extensive list of Scottish Gins on offer is a nice touch. The chef has excellent presentation skills and the food is a work of art whilst also tasting homely. The local produce and seasonal dishes make you feel proud to be Scottish and the end of evening bill will not make you feel guilty or shocked.

I give The Stockbridge Restaurant 9 out of 10. And, if they added a 100% vegetarian course to the A La Carte maincourse menu and fixed the left hand toilet door in the Ladies, I would give it 10 out of 10. This restaurant is as good as it gets and is not to be missed on your next night out in Edinburgh. It’s a family run restaurant for locals and tourists alike.


Our bill:

1 x 250 ml glass of Viognier £7.75

1 x 250 ml glass of Sauvignon Blanc £9.30

1 x partridge starter £7.95

1 x trio of cheese starter £7.95

1 x venison loin with venison pie £24.95

1 x halibut £20.95

1 x chocolate crème brulee with chocolate brownie £6.95

1 x banana tart tatin £6.95

2 x coffee and petit fours £3.00 to £3.75 each

Total: £99.50 for a five-course meal for two including wine and coffees

 

Contact details:
54 St Stephen Street
EdinburghEH3 5AL

Phone: 0131 226 6766
Email: jane@thestockbridgerestaurant.co.uk

Website: http://www.thestockbridgerestaurant.co.uk/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Top Ten Downtonesque Destinations

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To celebrate the return of Downton Abbey, here is the Top Ten Downton Abbey style places to stay.  Sigh.

1. Rushton Hall Hotel and Spa: Kettering, Northamptonshire

From £119 / per room per night from Secretescapes.com (saving £61 / per room per night)

Rushton Hall Hotel and Spa- Kettering, Northamptonshire

Rushton Hall Hotel and Spa- Kettering,

The Grade I listed Rushton Hall Hotel and Spa is so grand and packed full of original features that guests could easily imagine they’re living the Downton Abbey dream. The magnificent 16th century building is surrounded by 25 acres of beautiful grounds, with a large lake, croquet lawn and tennis court, making for the perfect country escape. Having been awarded four coveted red stars and three rosettes for dining, the hotel itself features a gourmet restaurant, a full sized billiard table and the Stable Yard Spa – which has its own indoor swimming pool, fitness room and indulgent range of treatments on offer.

Offer includes accommodation in a superior room, full English breakfast and a 10% discount on treatments at the spa and on dinner in the restaurant. Visit http://www.secretescapes.com or call 0843 22 77 777.

 

2. Melville Castle: Edinburgh, Scotland
From £99 / per room per night (saving £66 / per room per night)

Melville Castle- Edinburgh, Scotland Melville Castle- Edinburgh

Standing within 50 acres of beautiful woodland, Melville Castle is an 18th-century country house hotel just 20 minutes from Edinburgh. With original features, gorgeous views of the surrounding landscape and luxurious rooms, even Lady Violet wouldn’t have much to complain about in this historic four-star castle. Stylishly decorated with traditional touches throughout, guests can throw themselves into the Grantham lifestyle, engaging in countryside activities like clay pigeon shooting, horse riding and falconry.

Offer includes accommodation in a Classic Double room, cooked breakfast, complimentary afternoon tea for two and complimentary late check-out. Visit http://www.secretescapes.com or call 0843 22 77 777.

 

3. Peckforton Castle: Tarporley, Cheshire
From £125 / per room per night (saving £90 / per room per night)

Peckforton Castle- Tarporley, Cheshire Peckforton Castle- Tarporley

Boasting stunning vistas across the Cheshire plains and a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence 2014, the dramatic Peckforton Castle combines regal charm with modern luxury to create an exclusive four-star retreat with a real touch of enchantment. With a range of gung-ho country activities like falconry and land rover experiences, guests will feel like Lord and Lady of Manor from the moment they pass through the drawbridge.

Offer includes accommodation in a Classic room, breakfast and two-course dinner in the brasserie and 30% discount on pre-booked spa treatments. Visit http://www.secretescapes.com or call 0843 22 77 777.

 

4. The Ickworth Hotel: Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
From £149 / per room per night (saving £86 / per room per night)

The Ickworth Hotel- Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk The Ickworth Hotel- Bury St Edmunds

The Ickworth Hotel is situated in the grounds of the grand Ickworth stately home, a National Trust property which dates back to the early 1700s and is one of the most unusual and spectacular country mansions in Britain. It’s easy to imagine the Earl of Grantham strolling down the magnificent corridors while the girls take a stroll in the stunning landscaped gardens. Guests can explore the grounds on foot or on the hotel’s bikes and can access the exclusive Italianate gardens out of hours.

Offer includes accommodation in a Standard room, full English breakfast and three-course dinner. Visit http://www.secretescapes.com or call 0843 22 77 777.

 

5. De Vere Slaley Hall Hotel: Hexham, Northumberland
From £109 / per room per night (saving £65 / per room per night)

De Vere Slaley Hall Hotel- Hexham, De Vere Slaley Hall Hotel- Hexham, Northumberland

The serene grounds at De Vere Slalely Hall are just 40 minutes from the centre of Newcastle and offer one of the country’s most spectacular golf settings, featuring green championship fairways and bordered by beautiful woodland. The stately hotel also boasts a wide selection of restaurants and bars, including a stylish brasserie and a cosy whisky snug. There’s also an exclusive spa offering Germaine de Capuccini treatments, as well as a gym and a 20-metre pool, offering guests the ultimate luxury experience.

Offer includes accommodation in a standard room, breakfast and a two-course table d’hote menu dinner per person, a complimentary bottle of wine in the room upon arrival, full use of leisure facilities, 25% discount on any spa treatments booked directly and 20% discount on spa retail products. Visit http://www.secretescapes.com or call 0843 22 77 777.

 

6. Walton Hall: Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire
From £114 / per unit per night (saving £103 / per room per night)

Walton Hall- Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire Walton Hall- Stratford-upon-Avon

Constructed as the ancestral home of the Mordaunt family, the 16th-century Walton Hall served for centuries as a high society residence before its recent multi-million pound restoration, which has transformed it into a luxury hotel with 65 acres of parkland. It boasts the two time AA rosette awarded Moncreiffe Restaurant, in addition to a spa and wellness centre, which includes a fitness suite, aerobics studio, indoor swimming pool, sauna and steam room. Walton Hall is the perfect spot for enjoying a leisurely getaway full of countryside walks and provides an excellent base for exploring nearby Stratford-upon-Avon and Warwick.

Offer includes accommodation in a premium room, full English breakfast, three-course set menu dinner on first night, a bottle of house wine with dinner, afternoon tea, use of leisure facilities and late check-out until 1pm. Visit http://www.secretescapes.com or call 0843 22 77 777.

 

7. Danesfield House Hotel & Spa: Marlow-On-Thames, Buckinghamshire
From £149 / per room per night (saving £75 / per room per night)

7. Danesfield House Hotel & Spa- Marlow-On-Thames, Buckinghamshire Danesfield House Hotel & Spa- Marlow-On-Thames, Buckinghamshire

A turreted white country house framed by crisp landscaped gardens, the Danesfield House Hotel & Spa sits pretty in the Buckinghamshire countryside, just a few miles from Marlow and the regal town of Henley-on-Thames. With two restaurants and a multi-award-winning spa, this cool retreat has an indoor pool, a gym and a range of luxury treatments. The restaurant is run by chef Billy Reid, and the Orangery has a gourmet menu to rival Mrs Patmore’s culinary delights, with spectacular views down to the River Thames.

Offer includes accommodation in a Standard room, full English breakfast and 20% off all spa treatments. Visit http://www.secretescapes.com or call 0843 22 77 777.

 

8. Stapleford Park: Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire
From £149 / per room per night (saving £62 / per room per night)

Stapleford Park- Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire Stapleford Park- Melton Mowbray

It’s easy to imagine the Granthams entertaining at Stapleford Park, one of the finest stately houses in the country. Few hotels could match the aristocratic grandeur of this sprawling Leicestershire pile, with its maze-like gardens, a resident falconer and even a few sheep, making this landmark property the perfect English escape. In addition to its high-ceilinged rooms, open fires and antique furnishings, Stapleford Park boasts a genteel restaurant, a championship 18-hole golf course and a luxurious Clarins Gold Spa, with a heated indoor pool, jacuzzi, sauna and steam room.

Offer includes accommodation in a manor room, full English breakfast, unlimited access to the spa and leisure facilities, 25% off any spa treatments booked directly with hotel and late checkout. Visit http://www.secretescapes.com or call 0843 22 77 777.

9. Ston Easton Park: Ston Easton, Somerset
From £119 / per room per night (saving £107 / per room per night)

Ston Easton Park- Ston Easton Ston Easton Park- Ston Easton, Somerset

A Grade I listed building dating back to the 18th Century, Ston Easton sits quietly on a 36-acre estate in the Mendip Hills, in sleepy Somerset. Classical landscaped gardens feature a crumbling grotto fountain, a historic ice house, romantic Palladian bridges, an original Saloon and a scattering of ancient wells. This is a place designed around indulgence, with spacious, elegant bedrooms, in-room spa treatments and the celebrated Sorrel Restaurant which uses fresh ingredients straight from the Victorian kitchen garden and fine vintage wines.

Offer includes accommodation in a Superior room and full English breakfast. Visit http://www.secretescapes.com or call 0843 22 77 777.

 

10. De Vere Oulton Hall Hotel: Leeds, West Yorkshire
From £100 / per room per night (saving £79 / per room per night)

De Vere Oulton Hall Hotel- Leeds, West Yorkshire De Vere Oulton Hall Hotel- Leeds

De Vere Oulton Hall sits within its own 300-hectare estate, featuring sweeping entrance, high ceilings lit by glass chandeliers, marble floors and landscaped gardens. The dining is AA Rosette awarded and presents a range of dignified spaces, from the gourmet restaurant’s dining room to the champagne bar and the swanky drawing room. Guests may hide away for the day at the spa and indulge in an Espa spa treatment or take a round on the 27-hole golf complex with its own Nike Golf Academy, a practice range and a spectacular setting.

Offer includes two-night stay in a Standard room, breakfast, three-course meal from the set menu in the Claret Jug restaurant on the first night of the stay, full use of leisure facilities, 25% off spa treatments (subject to availability and must be booked at the time of reservation) and 20% off spa retail products (minimum spend of £20). Visit http://www.secretescapes.com or call 0843 22 77 777.

 

 

Scottish History For Dummies Book Review

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Scottish History For Dummies is a rather relevant book to review, with the Scottish Independence vote less than a month away.  As history goes, Scotland may be a small country on the edge of Northern Europe, but it has always punched above its weight. No, I am not just being biased because I am a Scot myself, although I am very proud of my country.

scottishhistoryfordummiesbookreview

This book is nothing if not comprehensive. It charts the entire history of Scotland from the Stone Ages up until modern times (the year 2000).  William Wallace (clearly not a Mel Gibson lookalike) and Robert The Bruce feature of course, that most often talked about part of history told via the historically inaccurate Braveheart, which is now the bane of all Scots who have to put up with ‘Ye cannae take our freedom’ quotes.

The Stewart Dynasty is well covered and the chapter on the renaissance of Scotland is particularly fascinating. It covers 1460-1542 and in late medieval Scotland, life was short. When someone died all of the windows would be opened to let the spirit out. The clocks would be stopped and not started again until after the burial. Families would drape themselves in white, only the great houses draped themselves in black. Then a wake, known as the Lykewake, would happen and last two or three days. Funeral expenses could impoverish the poor so they used a coffin which had hinges that allowed the body to be dropped straight into the grave so they could reuse it. All very interesting.

I also love the chapters on modern Scotland. 1945-2000 is full of great information. Although it does stop there, this book is still brilliant and a must have for anyone interested in Scotland and its history.

The Parts of Tens are as good as ever: basically lists of tens. The one on Ten Things Scotland Has Given to The World was my favourite. They were: the flushing toilet, The King James Bible, criminal fingerprinting, whisky, colour photography, anaesthetic, raincoats, golf, Dolly the sheep and For Auld Lang Syne. A good list, but just the tip of the iceberg.

 

Scottish History For Dummies is available here.

 

 

 

Ziggy’s Restaurant Review St Andrews

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Ziggy’s restaurant is surrounded by B & B’s and is situated just off North Street in St Andrews – a street that’s as famous for its old-fashioned picture house, as it is for the university buildings. Ziggy’s is also an easy establishment to spot – as it has a large guitar hanging above the entrance door.

ziggyrestaurantreviewThe inside is a throw back to the American diners of the 1960’s and pays homage to the greats of rock and roll by displaying original records and signed gifts around the dining room, open kitchen and toilet areas.

We are greeted at the door by a pleasant waitress in a Hard Rock Café style tee shirt and are seated by the window on a new range of wooden tables and chairs that this family owned establishment (Ziggy’s has been owned and run by the same family since 1983) have just bought in.

It’s 6 pm on a Tuesday night and the place is just starting to fill up. There are a mixture of diners, from locals to golfing tourists. But we are the only table of two – the rest are in groups of four to ten.

ziggystarter

Starters

Ziggy’s starters vary from garlic bread and house mixed salad to loaded skins and a bucket of devilled chicken wings. The prices are very reasonable, starting at £3.15 for a regular portion of garlic bread and rising to £11.95 for ‘The Ziggy’s BIG DISH Sharer’ – a combination of onion rings, breaded mushrooms, ribatisers, potato skins and chicken strips with sour cream, blue cheese and hickory sauce.

After having a quick glance over the main courses and desserts, I opt for something light and order the homemade potato and leek soup served with fresh crusty bread. My father orders the garlic prawns. And after scanning the wine list we decide to order two of the individual, 20cl, bottles of Prosecco as a treat. I think this is a wonderful idea. Unless you are in a wine bar, it is very hard to buy Prosecco or Champagne by the glass.

Homemade Potato & Leek Soup

The presentation is very simple. My white bowl of soup rests on a white plate with a white napkin. Colour is introduced from the soup itself and the two chunks of French baguette on the side.

My father’s dish is livelier looking. The garlic prawns arrive spitting and popping in a black cauldron.

Putting appearances aside, I take a spoonful of soup and am pleasantly surprised by how nice it is. The vegetables are chunky – just the way I like them – and the flavour is strong. This is a proper bowl of hearty soup that could not be anything other than homemade. When the owner/chef walks over to our table to ask if everything is ok, she tells me that her son – who also works in the kitchen – made the soup.

My father, who is not shy when it comes to giving his opinion, says that the prawns are tasty, but that they are submerged in too much oily sauce – the prawns are baked in garlic and red onion butter. He finds it hard to eat them because of this.

ziggystandrewsburger ziggyburger

Main courses

It’s not only the look and vibe of Ziggy’s that reminds me of The Hard Rock Café, it’s the food too. The main courses are American inspired, with the house specialities being the steaks, ribs and burgers. It’s a menu that would delight the meat lover. The list of 18 handmade burgers are all under £10, with the extra special ones rising to between £10 and £15.00.

Both my father and I choose the gourmet 12oz burger (£12.95 with a choice of three cheesy toppings). I order the cheddar, bacon and pineapple topping and my father the bacon and Stilton.

All Ziggy’s burgers are 100% pure steak burgers and are handmade and supplied by the local award winning butcher, J.B Penman of Crail.

The Gourmet 12oz Burger

Again, the burgers are very simply presented on white plates. The burger is served on a toasted white flour bun. The top of the bun rests at an angle to show off the toppings – I see two rings of pineapple with melted cheddar resting on top of my massive burger. Underneath the burger is a bed of salad leaves, with a slice of beef tomato and some red onion and dill pickle. The house fries that accompany my burger are presented in a white mug next to the homemade coleslaw.

It really is a feast for the senses and we can’t wait to dig in…

Although the burger is tasty – and the combination a good one – I personally find it too greasy for my palate and would choose a different main course on my next visit. My father, on the other hand, enjoyed his burger.

Dessert

The list of desserts is excellent. There really is something for everyone here. You’ve got knickerbocker glory, cheesecake, sticky toffee pudding and a wide selection of Sundae’s. There are even ice cream floats (Pepsi, Irn Bru or Lemonade with a generous scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream); something that I love but have not had since I was a teenager.

We decide to share a dessert and choose the sticky toffee pudding with ice cream.

Sticky Toffee Pudding

We can smell the sticky toffee pudding before we see our waitress walk across the dining room with it. It looks like a traditional, gooey pudding and after taking the first bite, I find that it tastes like it too. It’s yummy.

The one thing that does disappoint me though, is the fact that the ice cream has not been bought from one of the town’s two famous ice cream parlours – Jannetta’s or Luvians. It is cheap, yellow coloured ice cream. From my point of view, it would have been nice to utilise local artisan ice cream makers in much the same way as Ziggy’s have done by buying their burgers in from an award winning local butcher.

None of this would deter us from visiting Ziggy’s in St Andrews again though. The waitresses are friendly and helpful. The individual bottles of Prosecco are a welcome addition to any wine list. The homemade potato and leek soup was one of the best I have ever tasted. And the ambience of this family owned restaurant is unusual – even in a town where every second premises is an eatery. If you’re a meat lover that enjoys American inspired food and is looking for somewhere a little more rock n roll… then head to Ziggy’s.

 

Our meal:

2 x 20cl bottles of Prosecco at £5.95 each

1 x Soup £3.95

1 x Garlic Prawns £5.95

2 x gourmet 12 oz burger at £12.95 each

1 x sticky toffee pudding at £5.25

Total: £53.65 for two people

 

http://www.ziggysrestaurant.co.uk/

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rose Leslie Interview For Utopia

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roseleslieAt the age of 27, Rose Leslie has already won a Scottish BAFTA and starred in two of the biggest global TV dramas of recent years, Downton Abbey and Game of Thrones. Now, she’s starring in the new series of Utopia, Channel 4’s unique, ambitious and acclaimed drama, as the youthful Milner. Here, she discusses the fun of playing pure evil, and why Milner is a character that fascinates her.

The first episode of the new series of Utopia is a bit different, isn’t it? Explain what it’s about.

It is. As a really big fan of the first season, I thought it was a brilliant idea. It basically takes us back to the 1970s and shows us where it all began. We get to see Milner as a young woman, and we get to see why she turns into this ruthless killer. And we see what happens to Carvel as well, and how Jessica and Arby come to be. I was completely hooked by the concept. It’s really a stand-alone episode, and a real treat for the fans.

Milner’s a real hard case, isn’t she? Is it fun to play someone so bad?

Oh it is so much more entertaining playing an evil person than playing a sweet, charming young lady. Before I even went in for the audition, reading some of the scenes and the stuff she does, it was breathtaking. I loved it. As an actor, it was an absolutely thrilling role to play. It was so exhilarating to be such a horrible character.

The 70s are really evocatively recreated. Did you do anything to try and get yourself into a 70s frame-of-mind?

I felt the clothes did a lot of that. The costumes were brilliant – there was a lot of tweed and a lot of beige. That definitely helped me, as did the hairstyling, with the soft curls, particularly at the bottom of the head, that really transported me. And I grilled my parents on what the 70s were like. And I also felt like there was a lot of information that I could use in the script.

The script weaves in some key news stories from the 1970s. It’s very cleverly done, isn’t it?

It is so clever. That was one of the reasons why I was so thrilled to get this part. I think Dennis Kelly is a genius – both his stuff for screen and his plays – and the writing was superb. That’s what hooks the audience. All the garbage on the streets and so in is incredibly evocative of the time, and some of the political intrigue, the way the Airey Neave story is woven in, it’s brilliant. It was a real history lesson for me as well. I was embarrassed about how little I knew of the 70s.

It sounds like you were already a fan of Utopia. Did you watch it when it went out?

I did. I was all over it. It was word-of-mouth for me. I remember talking to a girlfriend of mine, and she told me about this new drama that had started the previous night, and she said that it was unlike anything she’d ever seen on TV before. So obviously that piqued my interest, and I went home and watched it. And the colouring, the direction, the editing, the acting, it was just incredible. So I was a little bit late on the first episode, and then, of course, I watched it every week that it then came out.

When you were cast as Milner, did you then go back and study how Geraldine James had played the role?

I went back and studied it, and of course that was a great excuse to watch the whole series again. So I was very happy to do some homework. But I was also aware that it might become something of a hindrance to then try and pick up her voice and to recreate each mannerism. Of course, as human beings, we develop through time. We develop, we change, and we’re not the same person we were 20 years ago. So I felt that allowed me some artistic license to interpret the character as I saw her as a young woman. But of course it was great to watch Geraldine do her work, and she does Milner magnificently. She sets such a high standard, the thing that really worried me as would I be able to be convincing enough that she would seem to be the same person.

The fascinating thing about Milner and the Network is that there’s a twisted morality at the heart of what they’re trying to do, isn’t there?

Yes, there really, really is. And what’s terrifying is, playing her for a full month, you can see the reasoning, you can see where she’s coming from. They’re doing it for the greater good. They’re doing it for the longevity of our species, giving it the chance to thrive. You can totally get swept up in that. But then you see the lines start to blur, you see what she has to do to make things happen. They can’t afford to have friends, they can’t trust anyone, they have to commit the most terrible acts. That makes you step back and think. But that’s the beauty of Dennis Kelly – he writes it in such a beautiful way, you’re able to see both sides of the argument.

You’ve had a pretty amazing few years, starring in Downton Abbey and Game of Thrones. Those experiences must have changed your life.

They really have. I’ve felt hugely privileged, from the bottom of my heart, to have been a part of those two shows. They were wonderful platforms – being part of something that’s popular is a wonderful springboard for any actor. I had an absolute blast on Game of Thrones – they were the best three years – meeting all these amazing people, and working with fantastic crews, and going to these incredible locations. I would never otherwise have gone to Iceland, and now I have a great love for the country.

Is it true you had no idea how big Game of Thrones was until after you’d auditioned for it?

Yes, and it’s the first time in my entire life that I’ve been so happy to be ignorant. If I’d had any idea just how popular it was after the first season, I think I’d have been far more nervous walking into that room. Luckily, it just felt like another audition to me. By the second round, I’d clued up and done my research, and I managed to get the part. But the first stage is always the toughest, and I walked into that room blissfully unaware. It could all have gone very differently.

Do you get recognised a lot now? How do you find that experience?

I get recognised quite a bit from Game of Thrones, and so far it’s been great, because the fans are so passionate about it. People just want to come up and have a picture taken with you or have a chat, because they love the show. It’s been a great experience. Now that I’ve said that, I’ve jinxed it. I’m going to get eggs chucked at me and be abused in the street.

Your first big project was New Town, a Scottish drama set in Edinburgh. You won a Scottish BAFTA for that. You must have thought this acting game was pretty easy at that stage.

Noooo! I think the wonderful thing about having gone to drama school is they made every single person well aware of just how cut-throat and hard this industry can be. So I was all too aware that it’s a marathon, not a sprint.

Are you a proud Scot?

I am a proud Scot. I consider myself Scottish, but I also consider myself British, and I want Scotland to stay within the UK. I’m very passionate about that.

Which actors do you particularly look up to? Who would you really like to work with?

There are so many that I’d like to work with. I think Andrea Riseborough is astonishing, such an amazing talent. I’d love to work with her, and with Cate Blanchett. I’m a huge fan of Mark Rylance too.

What do you watch for your own entertainment?

I have just finished Breaking Bad. I can’t believe I was such a latecomer to it. It was phenomenal, every single episode. I’m ashamed to say I watched the whole thing, every series, in about five weeks.

Utopia will broadcast from 14th July, Channel 4, 10pm.