Now, the Bloomsberg Arcade restaurant (the one we visited) is the one that I've seen alllll over TikTok, so I knew if we were going to do it, we had to do it properly. That said, it's not in an area we usually go to, so if you're a day-tripper like me, it's not the most convenient.
Lina Stores, Bloomsberg Arcade, London - Review
So, shall we start with the decor? I love. The restaurant is beautiful and I cannot get over that bar area, it's stunning!
We just turned up on a Saturday lunchtime and there was absolutely no problem getting a table at all. So much so, in fact, I'm glad we actually didn't book a table. Just to note, there's a cancellation policy if you book a table online. It's £10 per person for no-shows and late cancellations charged to the card used when making the booking.
Enough waffling... The food then. It was SO good. I had the 'Pappardelle con Ragù di Salsiccia di Agnello' which is pappardelle, lamb sausage ragù, cime di rapa, chilli and pecorino romano. It was delicious. I've genuinely never had a pasta dish with as much flavour as this one. Elliot had the chicken and mushroom ravioli and that was amazing too. The ravioli parcels were absolutely brimming with chicken breast and the sauce was incredible too.
Not pictured, but I did also have a Limoncello Spritz which was great too.
The only downfall of my visit to Lina Stores? The portion size. I know I tend to eat hearty portion sizes, especially when it comes to pasta, but I'm not sure this would have filled me up if I had had it for dinner. As a quick lunch, it was ideal. Are you meant to have more than one pasta dish? Is that the idea? Who knows...
Finally, for anyone nosy like I am, we paid £47.25 total. We each had a pasta dish and a drink and there was a £5.25 service charge included in that too.
Would I go again? Yes! Would I recommend a visit to Lina Stores if you haven't already been? Yes!
Lina Stores, Bloomsberg Arcade, London - Review
27.9.23 • food, london, restaurant review
Now, the Bloomsberg Arcade restaurant (the one we visited) is the one that I've seen alllll over TikTok, so I knew if we were going to do it, we had to do it properly. That said, it's not in an area we usually go to, so if you're a day-tripper like me, it's not the most convenient.
Lina Stores, Bloomsberg Arcade, London - Review
So, shall we start with the decor? I love. The restaurant is beautiful and I cannot get over that bar area, it's stunning!
We just turned up on a Saturday lunchtime and there was absolutely no problem getting a table at all. So much so, in fact, I'm glad we actually didn't book a table. Just to note, there's a cancellation policy if you book a table online. It's £10 per person for no-shows and late cancellations charged to the card used when making the booking.
Enough waffling... The food then. It was SO good. I had the 'Pappardelle con Ragù di Salsiccia di Agnello' which is pappardelle, lamb sausage ragù, cime di rapa, chilli and pecorino romano. It was delicious. I've genuinely never had a pasta dish with as much flavour as this one. Elliot had the chicken and mushroom ravioli and that was amazing too. The ravioli parcels were absolutely brimming with chicken breast and the sauce was incredible too.
Not pictured, but I did also have a Limoncello Spritz which was great too.
The only downfall of my visit to Lina Stores? The portion size. I know I tend to eat hearty portion sizes, especially when it comes to pasta, but I'm not sure this would have filled me up if I had had it for dinner. As a quick lunch, it was ideal. Are you meant to have more than one pasta dish? Is that the idea? Who knows...
Finally, for anyone nosy like I am, we paid £47.25 total. We each had a pasta dish and a drink and there was a £5.25 service charge included in that too.
Would I go again? Yes! Would I recommend a visit to Lina Stores if you haven't already been? Yes!
After a busy weekend in Weymouth, a roast dinner with all the trimmings was very much required last week. We parked in West Lulworth, walked over the top to Durdle Door, and sat at the top of the cliff googling local carveries and pubs. The Countryman Inn came up a few times and based on a) the price (a lot of others were quite expensive and b) the photos, we were sold. We did manage to book a table just a couple of hours before but they were very very busy. So, I'd definitely recommend booking ahead if you're planning a visit.
Just a 10-minute drive from Durdle Door, The Countryman Inn is a large pub with nine en-suite bedrooms. The team were all really friendly and the menu is pretty extensive. But, being a Sunday, there really was only one thing we were interested in... Their carvery.
A regular plate is £12.99 and a large is £14.99. Elliot and I both went for the regular and were absolutely stuffed afterwards. You can fit a huge mountain of food on the regular, I wouldn't upgrade to the large!
There were three meats on offer; beef, turkey, and pork, and because I'm a creature of habit, I naturally went for the beef. The meat was really tasty but, if I'm honest, it was the trimmings that were the star of the show. Besides Christmas Day, when the trimmings are exceptional, when has anyone ever said that?!
Normally, when you go to a carvery, you get a choice of carrots, peas or green beans and maybe a bit of stuffing if you're lucky. Well, not at The Countryman Inn. And for that reason, I think this could be the best carvery I've EVER been to.
I'm talking... roast potatoes, roast parsnips, Yorkshire pudding, baby carrots, green beans, savoy cabbage, swede mash, cauliflower cheese, AND stuffing balls. Besides maybe some broccoli, I think they have truly covered all of the bases there
For me, the standouts were the Yorkshire, the parsnips, and the cauliflower cheese. In hindsight, if I'd known they were going to be that good, I'd have had less of the other bits and absolutely loaded my plate up with those! In my opinion, the roast potatoes weren't anything special, but everything else got my approval.
So, if you're planning a wholesome Sunday day trip and don't know where to start then allow me to suggest a walk at Durdle Door and a carvery at The Countryman Inn - we had a fantastic day!
Have you ever been to The Countryman Inn?
A Carvery at The Countryman Inn, Dorchester - Review
13.2.23 • dorset, food, food review, restaurant review
After a busy weekend in Weymouth, a roast dinner with all the trimmings was very much required last week. We parked in West Lulworth, walked over the top to Durdle Door, and sat at the top of the cliff googling local carveries and pubs. The Countryman Inn came up a few times and based on a) the price (a lot of others were quite expensive and b) the photos, we were sold. We did manage to book a table just a couple of hours before but they were very very busy. So, I'd definitely recommend booking ahead if you're planning a visit.
Just a 10-minute drive from Durdle Door, The Countryman Inn is a large pub with nine en-suite bedrooms. The team were all really friendly and the menu is pretty extensive. But, being a Sunday, there really was only one thing we were interested in... Their carvery.
A regular plate is £12.99 and a large is £14.99. Elliot and I both went for the regular and were absolutely stuffed afterwards. You can fit a huge mountain of food on the regular, I wouldn't upgrade to the large!
There were three meats on offer; beef, turkey, and pork, and because I'm a creature of habit, I naturally went for the beef. The meat was really tasty but, if I'm honest, it was the trimmings that were the star of the show. Besides Christmas Day, when the trimmings are exceptional, when has anyone ever said that?!
Normally, when you go to a carvery, you get a choice of carrots, peas or green beans and maybe a bit of stuffing if you're lucky. Well, not at The Countryman Inn. And for that reason, I think this could be the best carvery I've EVER been to.
I'm talking... roast potatoes, roast parsnips, Yorkshire pudding, baby carrots, green beans, savoy cabbage, swede mash, cauliflower cheese, AND stuffing balls. Besides maybe some broccoli, I think they have truly covered all of the bases there
For me, the standouts were the Yorkshire, the parsnips, and the cauliflower cheese. In hindsight, if I'd known they were going to be that good, I'd have had less of the other bits and absolutely loaded my plate up with those! In my opinion, the roast potatoes weren't anything special, but everything else got my approval.
So, if you're planning a wholesome Sunday day trip and don't know where to start then allow me to suggest a walk at Durdle Door and a carvery at The Countryman Inn - we had a fantastic day!
Have you ever been to The Countryman Inn?
The Craft Bar Salisbury Arms - Review
The Craft Bar Salisbury Arms - Review
1.11.22 • food, restaurant review, Salisbury, Salisbury Restaurant
The Craft Bar Salisbury Arms - Review
Dinner 1 - Linares
The restaurant we visited on our first night we actually found by the smell of the food alone. We were wandering along the beachfront mid-afternoon and the waft of garlic and pizza is what drew us in. We had a quick look at the menu and decided that it was a great choice for our first night.
Elliot and I actually had the same meal at Linares; fillet steak, wild mushroom, and red wine fettuccine. We also ordered garlic bread (of course) and had a pint each. The food was really tasty and the outdoor seating area is really nice. The service was maybe a tiny bit slow but, in fairness, they were really busy when we visited. This was one of the 'pricier' meals we had on the trip, but I think that might be partly due to location being very close to the beach...
Dinner 2 - The Hard Rock Cafe
Anyone who knows me personally will know how much I enjoy visiting a Hard Rock Cafe every time I travel somewhere new. Whilst we were in Tenerife I actually counted up how many I've visited and I *think* it's 11...
Now, I don't want you to call me a creature of habit but I may or may not have ordered my usual burger once again. Of course, it had to be the BBQ bacon cheeseburger. Whilst we're on the topic of this burger, I don't think I've ever had a bigger one than this. Look at the absolute state of that. My one comment on this burger is it didn't have nearly enough sauce, it was a little bit dry. But, like any other Hard Rock Cafe I've visited, the atmosphere was brilliant, and the staff were great.
Dinner 3 - Napoli
What is a holiday without a pizza, hey? I'll take no credit for this one, Elliot found 'Napoli' online and we were absolutely sold by the photos of the food. The reviews were all brilliant, and being down a side road up from the beach, it luckily wasn't too busy when we wandered up.
Naturally, I had a margherita and it was so tasty! I could see the chefs making the pizzas from where I was sat and they were truly delicious. If you're after an authentic tasting Italian pizza whilst in South Tenerife then this is absolutely the place to go.
Dinner 4 - 108 Bistro
I have absolutely saved the best til last here... Look at that! We found 108 Bistro whilst we were walking back to the apartment from the beach and knew it was where we wanted to spend the last evening of our holiday.
I'll cut to the chase. That HUGE pan of carbonara was only €8 total and I'm proud to say that we almost managed to finish it between us. It was genuinely delicious and if it wasn't our last night I would have been keen to visit again and try another of their pasta dishes. It goes without saying but you absolutely don't need to have one of these each. This could easily have been shared between 2-4 people. A pint of beer was also only €2 meaning our entire bill came to a grand total of €12! It's worth noting that pretty much all of the tables were reserved but they luckily could squeeze us in, so it might be worth booking ahead if you're keen!
Breakfast(s) - Cafeteria la Media Luna
I was only going to include our evening meals in this food diary but this cafe was so brill that it deserved it's own mention. Based at Passarela Oasis Shopping Center, Cafeteria la Media Luna serves these huuuuge delicious pastries and lots of other things too.
We visited twice, and paid about €6 a time for 2 pastries and 2 cups of tea. If you're staying in one of the hotels nearby, this is a great place to stop for refreshment on the way down to the beach.
Dinner 1 - Linares
The restaurant we visited on our first night we actually found by the smell of the food alone. We were wandering along the beachfront mid-afternoon and the waft of garlic and pizza is what drew us in. We had a quick look at the menu and decided that it was a great choice for our first night.
Elliot and I actually had the same meal at Linares; fillet steak, wild mushroom, and red wine fettuccine. We also ordered garlic bread (of course) and had a pint each. The food was really tasty and the outdoor seating area is really nice. The service was maybe a tiny bit slow but, in fairness, they were really busy when we visited. This was one of the 'pricier' meals we had on the trip, but I think that might be partly due to location being very close to the beach...
Dinner 2 - The Hard Rock Cafe
Anyone who knows me personally will know how much I enjoy visiting a Hard Rock Cafe every time I travel somewhere new. Whilst we were in Tenerife I actually counted up how many I've visited and I *think* it's 11...
Now, I don't want you to call me a creature of habit but I may or may not have ordered my usual burger once again. Of course, it had to be the BBQ bacon cheeseburger. Whilst we're on the topic of this burger, I don't think I've ever had a bigger one than this. Look at the absolute state of that. My one comment on this burger is it didn't have nearly enough sauce, it was a little bit dry. But, like any other Hard Rock Cafe I've visited, the atmosphere was brilliant, and the staff were great.
Dinner 3 - Napoli
What is a holiday without a pizza, hey? I'll take no credit for this one, Elliot found 'Napoli' online and we were absolutely sold by the photos of the food. The reviews were all brilliant, and being down a side road up from the beach, it luckily wasn't too busy when we wandered up.
Naturally, I had a margherita and it was so tasty! I could see the chefs making the pizzas from where I was sat and they were truly delicious. If you're after an authentic tasting Italian pizza whilst in South Tenerife then this is absolutely the place to go.
Dinner 4 - 108 Bistro
I have absolutely saved the best til last here... Look at that! We found 108 Bistro whilst we were walking back to the apartment from the beach and knew it was where we wanted to spend the last evening of our holiday.
I'll cut to the chase. That HUGE pan of carbonara was only €8 total and I'm proud to say that we almost managed to finish it between us. It was genuinely delicious and if it wasn't our last night I would have been keen to visit again and try another of their pasta dishes. It goes without saying but you absolutely don't need to have one of these each. This could easily have been shared between 2-4 people. A pint of beer was also only €2 meaning our entire bill came to a grand total of €12! It's worth noting that pretty much all of the tables were reserved but they luckily could squeeze us in, so it might be worth booking ahead if you're keen!
Breakfast(s) - Cafeteria la Media Luna
I was only going to include our evening meals in this food diary but this cafe was so brill that it deserved it's own mention. Based at Passarela Oasis Shopping Center, Cafeteria la Media Luna serves these huuuuge delicious pastries and lots of other things too.
We visited twice, and paid about €6 a time for 2 pastries and 2 cups of tea. If you're staying in one of the hotels nearby, this is a great place to stop for refreshment on the way down to the beach.
The Pembroke Arms, Wilton Review
First and foremost, their outdoor seating area is huge. If you're looking for a sunny pub garden to spend an afternoon, I'd say it's definitely worth getting down to Wilton and sitting in their fab outdoor area. They have their covered garden seating, complete with heaters and a huge fire, as well as lots of picnic benches out in the sun.
We didn't need to book, being a random Thursday evening, but I can imagine it gets pretty busy on a sunny weekend. The car park also isn't the biggest I've seen, so perhaps plan ahead if you're thinking of visiting. Luckily someone was leaving just as we arrived so we managed to nab the last space in the car park!
In terms of food, I wish I could say I browsed the full menu and considered every option. I didn't. We'd spoken about going for a pizza for days so, of course, I went straight for the pizza menu. Elliot and I both ended up having the same, the meat special. A sourdough pizza topped with pepperoni, roquito peppers, and honey, what wasn't there to love?! Considering I'm usually Miss Margherita, I'm so glad I opted for something a little different, it was delicious! The honey wasn't too sweet and the pepperoni was really tasty.
Whilst we waited for our food we saw streams and streams of pies coming out to other tables. Now, if I'd seen the pie menu, I think I could have been swayed away from a pizza. They were huge and looked incredible. Judging by the number of people we saw with them, I'm assuming they taste as good as they look...
A 12.5% service charge is added to the bill so our 2 pizzas and 2 pints came to a grand total of £45 which seems a little steep if you ask me... Perhaps one for a date night or special occasion, eh? Not quite a can't-be-bothered-to-cook quick meal out.
I'm sure I'll absolutely be back to The Pembroke Arms, I feel it could become the new summery weekend go-to...
Have you been to The Pembroke Arms in Wilton?
The Pembroke Arms, Wilton - Review
1.6.22 • food review, restaurant review, Salisbury, Salisbury Restaurant
The Pembroke Arms, Wilton Review
First and foremost, their outdoor seating area is huge. If you're looking for a sunny pub garden to spend an afternoon, I'd say it's definitely worth getting down to Wilton and sitting in their fab outdoor area. They have their covered garden seating, complete with heaters and a huge fire, as well as lots of picnic benches out in the sun.
We didn't need to book, being a random Thursday evening, but I can imagine it gets pretty busy on a sunny weekend. The car park also isn't the biggest I've seen, so perhaps plan ahead if you're thinking of visiting. Luckily someone was leaving just as we arrived so we managed to nab the last space in the car park!
In terms of food, I wish I could say I browsed the full menu and considered every option. I didn't. We'd spoken about going for a pizza for days so, of course, I went straight for the pizza menu. Elliot and I both ended up having the same, the meat special. A sourdough pizza topped with pepperoni, roquito peppers, and honey, what wasn't there to love?! Considering I'm usually Miss Margherita, I'm so glad I opted for something a little different, it was delicious! The honey wasn't too sweet and the pepperoni was really tasty.
Whilst we waited for our food we saw streams and streams of pies coming out to other tables. Now, if I'd seen the pie menu, I think I could have been swayed away from a pizza. They were huge and looked incredible. Judging by the number of people we saw with them, I'm assuming they taste as good as they look...
A 12.5% service charge is added to the bill so our 2 pizzas and 2 pints came to a grand total of £45 which seems a little steep if you ask me... Perhaps one for a date night or special occasion, eh? Not quite a can't-be-bothered-to-cook quick meal out.
I'm sure I'll absolutely be back to The Pembroke Arms, I feel it could become the new summery weekend go-to...
Have you been to The Pembroke Arms in Wilton?
Cafe Croyde, Devon - Review
THE MENU
THE FOOD
We shared their veggie pizza between us and it was really good. It had a sourdough base and pesto, rocket and sundried tomatoes on top, as well as plenty of cheese. It's worth noting that their pizzas are also able to be made both gluten-free and vegan too! For a light lunch, one of their pizzas is great for two.THE DECOR
EVERYTHING ELSE
Cafe Croyde, Devon - Review
THE MENU
THE FOOD
We shared their veggie pizza between us and it was really good. It had a sourdough base and pesto, rocket and sundried tomatoes on top, as well as plenty of cheese. It's worth noting that their pizzas are also able to be made both gluten-free and vegan too! For a light lunch, one of their pizzas is great for two.THE DECOR
EVERYTHING ELSE
The Duck and Bean, Tiverton Review
THE MENU
THE FOOD
THE DECOR
EVERYTHING ELSE
The Duck and Bean, Tiverton Review
THE MENU
THE FOOD
THE DECOR
EVERYTHING ELSE
A new cocktail bar on the scene? Becca's there. I was recently invited down to Mbuntu in Southampton for a complimentary meal at their newly opened cocktail bar and bistro. Founded by Prince Ogbuji, who owns two other restaurants, Mbuntu is a very welcoming place. Mbuntu is an African word meaning “I am who I am because of who we are”. Their whole ethos is about bringing people together and having a real community feel...
Mbuntu Southampton Review
Let's get into the review, shall we?
THE MENU
THE DECOR
When designing Mbuntu, it's very clear that they had aesthetics in mind. With cosy velvet chairs in pink and green, plants and neon signs, it's very much an instagrammable dream. Cocktails and velvet chairs? It's girls night galore.
THE FOOD
As for the food, I had the Chicken Katsu Curry and it was really tasty! The portion was large (the bigger the better in my opinion), delicious and absolutely full of flavour. Dare I say it, I think it was far better than the cult Wagamama offering! My Mum had the Chicken wrap which again was very tasty and very much full of flavour. It's clear that the food at Mbuntu has been well thought out and perfected!
EVERYTHING ELSE
Dinner & Cocktails at Mbuntu, Southampton*
5.6.21 • food review, restaurant review, southampton, southampton restaurant
A new cocktail bar on the scene? Becca's there. I was recently invited down to Mbuntu in Southampton for a complimentary meal at their newly opened cocktail bar and bistro. Founded by Prince Ogbuji, who owns two other restaurants, Mbuntu is a very welcoming place. Mbuntu is an African word meaning “I am who I am because of who we are”. Their whole ethos is about bringing people together and having a real community feel...
Mbuntu Southampton Review
Let's get into the review, shall we?
THE MENU
THE DECOR
When designing Mbuntu, it's very clear that they had aesthetics in mind. With cosy velvet chairs in pink and green, plants and neon signs, it's very much an instagrammable dream. Cocktails and velvet chairs? It's girls night galore.
THE FOOD
As for the food, I had the Chicken Katsu Curry and it was really tasty! The portion was large (the bigger the better in my opinion), delicious and absolutely full of flavour. Dare I say it, I think it was far better than the cult Wagamama offering! My Mum had the Chicken wrap which again was very tasty and very much full of flavour. It's clear that the food at Mbuntu has been well thought out and perfected!
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