Browns!

I've been to Browns a few times but it's not been recent enough to have been featured on this blog, how exciting! In recent weeks I've shown places I've been to a lot so it's nice to share a new place and a different menu of food. Let's begin.

We skipped starters and went straight into mains where I had smoked haddock fishcakes and crispy fries. The fishcakes were super delicious, smokey from the haddock and with a good ratio of fish and potato. It came with a herby tatar sauce which I loved and it went well with both the fishcakes and the fries. Speaking of fries, these were insane! Full of flavour and really crispy which is exactly what I'm looking for. They came with ketchup and english mustard mayonnaise which was really nice as it gave the mayo something a little extra special. I'm not normally a big fan of the little side salad that usually comes with this kind of dish but I enjoyed having a little nibble of the leaves. The portion size was just right and afterwards I didn't feel like I was about to explode, which is the sign of a good meal.

For dessert I was looking for something a little lighter than what I normally go for, but there was nothing that I really fancied, so I went for the Cambridge burnt cream which was just a creme brûlée. The portion was quite big and although it tasted nice the dish was very shallow so the custard was thin whereas I prefer deeper dishes so I can a big spoonful. The custard was creamy and the top wasn't greasy which sometimes happens with this dish. My biggest disappointment was that the shortbread biscuits it said it came with weren't shortbreads but rather a floppy 'normal' biscuit. Overall I really enjoyed this meal and Browns is always a good outing so no doubt I'll be popping back in sometime soon.

La Cachette

It's my birthday week, wooo, and what better way to spend it than with good food! Me, my mum, dad and brother went to La Cachette, a restaurant in my 'home town' (I always think that saying is really cringe but that's where it is) and I couldn't wait. Let's get straight to it! For starter I had the scallops, which was on the pricey side at just under £10.00, and they were insane. The scallops themselves were perfectly cooked, soft and tender, which went perfectly with the slightly spicy chorizo. The little fondant potatoes were divine, I've never had potatoes like this before and it won't be the last time. There were two sauces, a puree and maybe a pesto (I don't exactly know what they are, well done Abz) both of which were delicious. The portion size was a little small for the price but was perfect in terms of setting you up for the main course. Everything went perfectly and I'd definitely have it again!

For may main course I had beef wellington, which is a personal favourite of mine, and it was spot on. The portion size was spot on and although it's not much to look at there's no extra veg needed, it's beautiful just the way it is (so deep). The steak was perfectly cooked and melted in the mouth, while the pastry was crispy on the outside but softer where it touched the steak. The spinach was perfectly cooked and the mashed potato was just how I like it, buttery and smooth, with the truffle oil giving it a lovely flavour. The sauce tasted like a very posh gravy and although the flavour was quite strong I was a fan. I can't speak any more highly of this dish. Definitely one of, if not THE, best beef wellington I've ever had.

Treacle tart. What else is there to say? This will forever be one of my favourite desserts and I'm happy to report that I wasn't disappointed. The pastry was crumbly and buttery, the filling was sticky and full of lemon/treacle flavour and the ice cream was creamy and tasty. What more do you want from a dessert.

Overall huge birthday success and La Cachette will always be one of my first choices for a nice meal out.

Favourite Friday: Chatsworth

Last week, when all the selfie stick action happened, me and my family went to Chatsworth house in Derbyshire. It was a super cute day and I had a great time so I thought that I'd share a few snaps, enjoy!

#Selfiestick

2015 is definitely going to be the year of the selfie stick! My instagram feed on Christmas Day was filled with family photos, table selfies and outfit shots taken with the extended arm and I have to say I think they're great! I was one of those people strutting round the house saying "Group photo? No problem, let me fetch my stick" like some kind of selfie superhero. Now I've taken it one step further: into the outside world. Me and the fam (minus my brother) took a little outing to Chatsworth last week and I thought that it would be a prime opportunity to take the stick for a road test in the great outdoors and I have to say, I felt like the coolest person on the planet. So many angles, house in the background, no awkward asking someone to take a family portrait, THERE IS NO DOWNSIDE TO THIS STICK! So, the moral of the story is if you don't have a selfie stick get one, it will change your life...it won't but it's great fun!