Tuesday 10 May 2016

#17 - Eat from 40 different places I haven't eaten at before - 9/40

9.  The place -  THE Chinese Buffet, Wrexham.  The dish - Lunchtime Buffet. Eat in - 7th May, 2016.


We booked here for the Saturday lunchtime, and both ate a multitude of different dishes in tiny amounts.  Kung Po Chicken, Ribs, Char Sui Pork, Mongolian Beef, Chicken Curry.  I'm a bit torn as to what to put next really.  It was nice.  The food wasn't as hot as I would have liked and the egg fried rice was a little dry, but it is what it is.  Lots of food, in warmers.  Chicken toast was something to comment on.  Chocolate cake in the cabinet was dry at the time we were eating, perhaps it would be an idea to cover it in wrap or something but otherwise, it was all very... nice.  8/10
 

#17 - Eat from 40 different places I haven't eaten at before - 8/40

8.  The place -  Ye Olde Boote Inn, Whittington.  The dish - Beer battered plaice with homemade tartare sauce, chips and vegetables. Eat in - 6th May, 2016.

We ate here on the first night of my birthday weekend away, the pub being right next door to the B&B we stayed at.  I'd perused the menu online before I booked and once I saw battered plaice on it, that was me hooked.



The plaice fell apart and was so subtle tasting.  The beer batter remained crispy right down to the last mouthful, and - not one bone.  I know it's a risk you take with fresh fish, but even one bone has been known to put me off (and leave) a meal.  The tartare sauce was mustardy, something I've never had before but it was gorgeous and I want to replicate that at home.  Vegetables were peas, carrots and cooked red cabbage which also tasted pickled... really good!  Chips were skin on chips too, lovely.  

Mr G opted for the rib eye steak, and that too was cooked to perfection and melt in the mouth (I tried a tiny, tiny piece).  These came with the most lush tomatoes I've had, they were hard, and garlicky.  Not sure if they'd been cooked or what as they were cold.  I think Mr G would happily survive on those tomatoes forever.


I know I give a lot of 10/10s for my meals, but that's because I am pretty lucky wherever we go to eat, we get a good meal.  This meal, however wasn't just a 10/10, it raised the bar for pub food in my book, and I would have no hesitation in eating here again the next time we're in the area.  Spot on, five star, 10/10.
 

#17 - Eat from 40 different places I haven't eaten at before - 7/40

7.  The place -  Prospect Garden Tea Rooms, Llangollen.  The dish - Homemade Roasted Butternut Squash Soup, and Egg Mayo and Cress Sandwiches.  Eat in - 6th May, 2016


 Mr G and I ate our lunch here last Friday on our way to Oswestry.  A little off the beaten track, make sure you set your sat nav and when it says you are there - look for the signs in the trees.  You are not lost.  The soup was so good, I make a lot of soup but mine never tastes that good.  The staff were both so lovely.  And the views?  It was a hazy day, and you could see as far as Wrexham Industrial Estate so I'd imagine that on a clear day you could see even further.  The waitress said you could see Jodrell Bank on a clear day!  Mr G had turkey and stuffing and the soup. 




Definitely making the trek up there in the Summer when we're exhausted, weary and fed up of frozen burgers while camping.  Massive 10/10.
 

Sunday 1 May 2016

#17 - Eat from 40 different places I haven't eaten at before - 6/40

6.  The place -  Four Crosses, Menai Bridge.  The dish - Sweet Chilli Chicken Sizzler, rice and chips. Eat in - 27th April, 2016




 Seven of us ate here for my Auntie's 70th birthday surprise meal.  She thought she was going out for a meal with my Mum, but 'the ladies' met up with her.  I have eaten here before but not for many, many years.  The food was great, the chicken wasn't overcooked, the vegetables done just right, and a generous portion of both rice and chips, considering it was meant to be half and half.  I also had a slice of Salted Caramel Cake for dessert...


It was very busy in there, judging by the quality of the food this wasn't surprising, and it does get a bit smoky (a bit too smoky for some) once people start ordering the sizzlers, but it didn't bother me.  Unfortunately you can't book a table for less than (I think) 8 people, so when we took friends out on Friday evening, we had to walk in and back out again immediately as it was chocker, and go on to Moelfre.  Good value for money, one of the most varied menus I have seen anywhere, and staff friendly and really accommodating.  10/10.