Happy Halloween to all my fellow bloggers, followers and all the brands that I have worked with.
Trick or Treat, well for me it was a Treat, as I was a lucky Competition Winner of a free bar tab at my local pub. Lots of creepy cocktails and fun was had by all, I hope you all have a Spooktacular time and have a Scream too.
Melanie 😊 xx
Nibble Northern Quarter Review Manchester: October 2017
Nestled on Oldham street in the heart of Manchester’s Northern Quarter is the friendly and unpretentious Nibble. A cute café with a chilled vibe where the focus is about personalised customer service and staff engaging in genuine conversation. The décor is relaxed with cosy cushions, quirky light fittings, retro outdoor tables and chairs, planters and various greenery which gave the place a secret garden feel. A lovely local little hub to catch up with friends, family or simply relax and watch the world go by.
Scene Indian Street Kitchen Spinningfields Manchester Review: October 2017
Located Left Bank along the River Irwell, in the heart of Spinningfields is Scene Indian Street Kitchen. Winners of several awards, this Bollywood Bar and restaurant sets the scene for an impeccable evening of glamour and style. The delightful outdoor garden terrace space is great for some relaxed al fresco dining in the sun.
Vapiano Manchester Corn Exchange World Pasta Day Review: October 2017
In 2002 Hamburg, Germany, saw the opening of the very first Vapiano. The brand is seeing continued growth and there are over 191 Vapianos in 32 countries on 5 continents. The company ethos is focused on an old Italian proverb: “Chi va piano, va sano e va lontano” which is about a relaxed and easy-going approach to life which in turn will provide you with a longer and happier life.
Gourmet Burger Kitchen Manchester Spinningfields Review: October 2017
The Gourmet Burger Kitchen brand began in 2001, when world famous chef Peter Gordon along with three kiwi guys set up their first Gourmet Burger Kitchen site in Battersea South London. Now, fast forward to 2017 and they now have over 80 restaurants across the UK. The focus is on quality handcrafted burgers using the freshest ingredients and creating all their burger sauces daily from scratch.
Located Left Bank along the River Irwell, in the heart of Spinningfields is Manchester’s Gourmet Burger Kitchen. The delightful outdoor terrace is great for some al fresco dining in the sun. Décor is light, airy loft feel with contemporary light fittings and table sections. There is a selection of help yourself condiments such as the red and green hot sauces. Service is casual with a relaxed vibe.
Welcomed warmly by the team, we got settled and while perusing the menu, we enjoyed some liquid refreshments including the Meantime London Pale Ale, which has both Kentish and American hops, that give a citrus flavour with a bitter finish. Also, the non-alcoholic Strawberry and elderflower fizz which visually looked lovely and refreshed the taste buds.
Beech Hill Hotel and Spa Windermere Review: October 2017
The Beech Hill Hotel and spa located in an enviable postcode in the heart of Lake Windermere sets the scene for an exquisite atmospheric Cumbrian countryside break. The hotel has evolved over time, with the renovations being sympathetic to the original building to retain both its character and charm.
Warmly welcomed by The Beech Hill Hotel team and shown to our room which was fully appointed with two double beds, a spacious dining area, a snug sofa, a dressing table, a quality hairdryer, a generous tea tray, guest information and Lakes brochure guides, that were cram packed with ideas and suggestions of fun activities. The hotel is no more than a ten minute drive to Bowness-on-Windermere, a town which is a hive of activity with attractions such as the Beatrix Potter Tea Rooms, Quaint English pubs and boat tours from the banks of Lake Windermere.
Gosh Vegan Sausages Review: October 2017
Boom Brilliant Bangers by Gosh arrived at blogging HQ ready for the taste test. Gosh is all about goodness, they are dairy free, gluten free, soya free, nut free and are suitable for vegans too. Impressively, they are naturally free from the UK’s 14 top listed allergens; cereals containing gluten, eggs, milk, soya, nuts, peanuts, celery, mustard, sesame seeds, lupin, Sulphur dioxide, crustaceans, fish & molluscs.
Yutaka Vegetarian Two Course Dinner Date Review: October 2017
Blogging HQ received a batch of lovely Yutaka goodies, that included the sushi kit for 2, silken tofu, wasabi peas, sesame seeds, Japanese style curry kit and some of the lovely Chings champion soybean noodles, to create an authentic Japanese vegetarian two course dinner date meal.
The Super Sushi kit for two includes a recipe booklet, boil in the bag rice, seasoning, nori sheets, ginger, wasabi paste, soya sauce and a rolling mat. Make your date interactive and roll out the fun times with your other half.
It’s time to get your noodle on and make Katsu curry with a twist. Katsu is usually served with rice, but I fancied some of Chings nice noodles. Lightly fry the tofu and then mix with the Katsu sauce. To finish sprinkle with some of the sesame seeds and there you have it a Japanese inspired mouth-watering main for two!
Flavourly Gin Club Review: October 2017
The fabulous Flavourly find new flavours to ensure that their craft gin club is packed with a unique innovative selection of gorgeous gins. Their Gin Club experts source the most brilliant batch craft gins. Flavourly work with smaller producers, who are passionate about their products, meaning high quality, small batch distilled gins can be delivered to your door at a competitive price.
Get in with the club and you will receive 3 expertly crafted 20cl gins, a super scrummy snack, mixers and a marvellous magazine jam packed with everything gin and drinks related. My delivery included; Gin Queen, Manchester Gin, Jaggi gin, Fentimans tonic water, rose lemonade, salty dog nuts and of course some really good reading material.
Christmas season ahead and out comes the mulled wine, but why not try a new trend and have a mouth-watering mulled gin instead? The Gin Queen, a single grain premium gin handcrafted in Scotland, made the perfect festive tasty tipple. Warm, cosy, smooth and lip-smackingly sensational.
Thai Taste Review: October 2017
Passionate about Thailand’s food, people and culture, the brands founders worked with Thai chefs in Thailand, so that they could offer you a range of premium products delivered direct to your door, where you can create your own authentic Thai tastiness. Another plus is that their products have no artificial colours, flavourings or preservatives and do not add MSG.
An awesome Thai Taste promise is that a percentage from every product sold is donated to the Duang Prateep foundation which supports Thailand’s vulnerable communities and poverty-stricken people. Founded and located in the slums of Bangkok, in 1978 by an ambitious slum dweller Prateep Hata, the Duang Prateep foundation meaning ‘Flame of Hope’, delivers education, happiness and hope to those in need.
