The Globe Troffers

The weather was simply too beautiful to stay in bed all day (as we had planned) and after the inevitable phone call from G, we decided that it would be a complete scandal if we didn’t make the most of the incredibly crisp and clear day on Sunday.

Depositing a car at Rodley we aimed to walk along the Leeds-Liverpool canal to Apperley Bridge and walk back, perhaps talking in a pub lunch at the half way marker. It seemed like it wasn’t one of the most original ideas in the world as it was quite busy initially, but the crowds soon thinned out. Other than the odd cyclist hell bent on mowing down hapless meanderers like ourselves,it was the most perfect way to spend a few hours on a Sunday afternoon.

After a good hour or so, the lad dived in to the canal (he was definitely that way out) and by the time we reached The Stansfield Arms, he was pretty much dry, although shivering from his exertions.

The food at The Stansfield was the biggest surprise - and a pleasant one. We’d not not been for years (Julie reckoned she’d never been, but I dispute this) and the lunches were excellent. The place was jammed to the rafters and we hunkered down with Taylors for the boys and Rose for the girls, expecting a long wait. But no. Food arrived pretty smartly and was good in all sorts of ways: chips - twice fried and excellent, pork - meltingly good, fish - good and fresh, tuna salad - massive and steak and kidney pudding - simply gorgeous.

On this evidence, you can see why this place was packed. Simple, Sunday food cooked very well with a price point and a level of service that would (and should) make a LOT of other Leeds restaurants blush.

Anyhoo, the walk back was definitely needed!

Sunday lunch is always a good benchmark for trying out new dining experiences and today we discovered a new venue that we definitely want to return to.

Waking to clear blue bright skies inspired us to throw the walking boots in the car and head off for a brisk country walk. We should have set off earlier because after our lazy lie-in everybody else had the same idea and the roads were really busy and progress was slow. We decided not to travel too far so Bolton  Abbey was voted the destination of choice and we opted to park and walk from the Strid.

I have wanted to try No.5 Grassington House for some time after reading in Yorkshire Life it was nominated ‘Best Newcomer of the Year’ in 2009 and this was our opportunity. After a longish walk we arrived just before 16.00 and were unsure if they would be still serving lunch? We were greeted in the reception area by the owner/chef John Rudden and offered a table in either the dining room or the bar. Now at a few minutes before service was due to finish and then restart at 18.00 the genuine warm welcome and offer of a table was refreshing. We opted for a window table in the bar area which overlooks the main square in the picturesque village of Grassington where the sun was still streaming through the windows.

The bar offered a good selection of hand pulled draft ales and as I was not driving on this occasion I chose the Hetton Pale Ale brewed just down the road at the Dark Horse Brewery in Hetton. I love Pale Ales and find them refreshing, not too heavy and don’t bloat, this was a good choice and fine example. A selection of breads with oil and butter were brought to the table to accompany our drinks and the staff were a delight with a friendly smile and chat.

A two or three course lunch menu is offered with a good selection of dishes. Linny opted for a Mushroom Risotto to start and I chose the Hash Brown topped with a free range egg and served with an apple chutney and mixed leaf salad all served on a trendy piece of slate. The combination of textures and flavours were excellent and what appears a simple dish was a delight and something I would want to try to recreate at home.

As this was Sunday lunch both of us opted for the traditional Beef and Yorkshire Pudding with roast potatoes and seasonal veg. We were not disappointed, my beef was served pink, very tender, a good thickness  and cooked to perfection with the Yorkshire pudding being crisp and tasty. To accompany the meal I had a glass of house Rioja which was pleasant and robust enough to accompany the beef.

Linny has a thing about Rhubarb at the moment and any opportunity is taken when offered. On this occasion a Rhubarb Fool with shortbread biscuits and mint was on the dessert menu and not passed by.

The two course meal option was £13.00 and was excellent value for the high quality of food and presentation offered. A leaflet from the bar highlighted some of the special events and cookery master classes that are also on offer. Follow the web site links to discover more about No.5 Grassington House. Another snippet from the leaflet mentions John embraces the ‘Field to Fork’ principle and rears his own rare breed pigs which can be found on the menu.

This was a  great find and we shall return maybe to sample dinner or one of the advertised events.

J&L.

First post of 2010 for Johnny or for this blog ‘first past the post’. We had an invite from John & Mo to join them on a visit to top race horse trainer Charlie Mann’s training stable in Lambourn, Berkshire. With an early start required we decided to travel down and stay overnight close by at The Bear Hotel in Hungerford. The Bear is one of England’s oldest coaching inns dating back to 1464 with connections to Henry VIII, James I and William III and now offers a 39 room hotel with an award winning restaurant and bar. We had a mid afternoon start from Manchester and arrived early evening, after a quick change we settled in the bar for a much needed drink and chill after our 200 mile drive. The menu covers both bar and brasserie with an extensive selection of dishes. The brasserie manager came and took our order in the bar and told us to relax and he would show us to our table when the food was ready to be served. Nice touch as we were settled and enjoying our drinks. I opted for the beer braised local partridge with ham hock, bubble & squeak and red cabbage puree and Linny chose the recommended ‘delivered fresh that day’ lemon sole. Both meals were well prepared, presented and consumed. We liked the bar atmosphere so much with the illuminated courtyard beyond that we skipped dessert and returned for a final night cap before retiring to our rooms ready for our early start the following morning.

We left the Bear early to make our way to Whitcoombe House Stables, Upper Lambourn for breakfast with Charlie Mann, his family and jockey Noel Fehily. We were welcomed at 08.30 and sat down in Charlies house for a full english breakfast with copious pots of tea and toast. Charlie had already being out on the gallops for the earlier 06.30 morning run and met us at the house where we were to join him and Noel for the second session. With 60 horses in training and 63 winners in the 2009-10 national hunt season this is a busy and successful stable. After breakfast we jumped into a Land Rover and drove up to the gallops to watch the morning run. Charlie and his team made us really welcome and gave us an insight into the daily life of  a top training stable. This is a 3 hour experience that can be booked on-line and I would highly recommend it.

After leaving Lambourn we decided to stop for lunch on the drive home and by chance found the Horse & Groom Inn at Charlton in Wiltshire, just to carry on the theme of the day we couldn’t miss this. Sometimes you stumble on a special place by accident and this was one of those occasions. The Horse & Groom Inn has won plenty of awards for food and we managed to get a table in the Charlton bar with stone flagged floor, large open log fire and busy vibe although we could have dined in the restaurant but the bar area was our choice. The first thing noted on the menu was the inclusion of a limited two course meal for a humble ten pounds. This was my choice with a cotswold white chicken, apricot and tarragon terrine with apple chutney and brioch appetiser followed by a cottage pie with side dish of seasonal vegetables. The taste, presentation and quality of the food was excellent and how the food was offered for the money baffled me. Linny opted for a cheesy version of the classic fishcake which also got the thumbs up. Take a look at the menus on the website link and if in the area this classy gastro pub should not be missed.

J&L.

Apologies for the Leeds-centric posts at the moment, but I’m not doing that much intercity travelling at the moment. But what I am doing is getting out and about in our lovely city at the moment…

Friday was a lunch with my good friend Andrew whom you might have heard on BBC Radio Leeds on the breakfast show. We were having a cheeky Friday social and a good old fashioned gossip about all sorts and Art’s cafe provided the perfect backdrop for our natterings.

It’s been quite some time since we’d both been there and we were very pleasantly surprised that the standards not only were up to our previous experience, but probably improved too, so all good!

We decided to order the early bird (two courses for £12.50) and excellent value it proved. We both went for the black pudding/belly pork combo for starter (always a winner) and I had tarragon chicken and Andrew went for the great-looking risotto. Washed down a very sensible bottle of Malbec, this was informal lunching of the best kind.

It was great to see Art’s packed out for the 2 hours we were there (who said long lunches were a thing of the past?) and on this experience, I can see why it was so busy. Art’s has been on the scene for so long it’s very easy to overlook it’s relaxed charm - it’s definitely back on my radar and I’d recommend it to anyone looking for a chilled out lunch or dinner in relaxed surroundings where you can pretty much guarantee a winner.

Saturday 25th February was girls netball night out. Don’t laugh, I am the oldest by at least 15 years and I now only play ocassionally when they are desperate. In fact we were belatedly celebrating two other team members 40th birthdays.

Tony and I have been here before for coffee/cake but on the only previous visit in an evening it was full and we hadn’t booked so had to go elsewhere.

I now know why. The place was buzzing and the food was very good.

We started with Nachos to share. What can you say!

I chose Lemon Sole for my main served with salad and Caper butter. I have a photo, if I can work out how to download it. The caper buter was delicious and really complemented the fish. The menu is extensive, with pizzas, pasta as well as a large variety of other meat and fish dishes. Some had pasta; another in the group had pan fried squid served on a bed of rocket, garnished with king prawns and a sweet chilli sauce. It looked and tasted the part.

The desserts were divine also. I opted for french lemon tarte served with vanilla ice cream but the sticky toffee pudding and carrot and pineapple cake also looked amazing.

On the negative side there are two sittings and we were on the first so expected to be out for 9. On the plus, that left plenty of drinking time afterwards. When the weather improves thereis an outdoor undercover area (a bit like the Victoria Quarter in Leeds but not quite.

Its not often Tony and I eat out in Halifax, but things are improving and we will certainly go back here together again.

The cost was £22 per head for a shared starter, main and dessert each as well as 4 bottles of reasonable wine.

I discovered on Monday that it was British Pie Week. So I decided to get into the spirit of things by combining a meeting I had planned in The Cross Keys, with the sampling of their pie-focused menu.

From the blackboard, I ordered the rabbit, leek and mustard pie which sounded most comforting. I wasn’t disappointed - it came individually baked in a small dish with a pastry ‘lid’ on top rather than a full pie casing, which I actually prefer as I’m not incredibly keen on lots of pastry.

As usual at The Cross Keys, the portions were sizeable and the pie was superb - very well seasoned and lots of tasty rabbit meat stashed under the lid. If you can get there this week and give it a go, you won’t be disappointed either.

Firstly apologies to all as we have been out of order for not regularly posting. Trying to catch up is always daunting so we hope you don’t mind that we have just given short comments on The Year So Far mainly re the places just so we can get up to date. We can’t mention all the dishes we enjoyed (not good for a foodie website we know) as to be honest we didn’t take notes but please do check out the websites as most of the places mentioned below are well worth a visit. Please comment  if this is inappropriate for Globe Troffers because it just becomes a blog we guess.

The Electric cinema/house/brasserie, 191 Portobello Road, London W11 2ED(www.the-electric.co.uk)

I was on a big pitch with some business colleagues and this was the end of months of hard work so the team was treated by our partners with lunch at The Electric in Notting Hill. To say I was surprised when we arrived to be going into a classical cinema is an understatement. The building has been restored and upstairs there is a really cool brasserie. The food was fantastic and the company excellent. Fingers crossed we win the work.

Pizza Express Financial Quarter Leeds.

Lunch with a mate, Diavola pizzas plus large bottle of Peroni each. Worth a mention as the pizza swere super thin crust and full of peperoni/jalepono peppers. At £10 per head well worth a visit.

Aagrah, Leeds.

Still the best curry in Leeds. My colleague had my favourite Jingha Kas plate….wish I’d stuck to my usual but my Keema Balti was top!

Tiger Lily, Edinburgh.

Early start to Edinburgh so my colleagues and decided on a quick lunch before setting off back to Leeds. Tiger Lily is a cool bar and restaurant serving world cuisine on George Street which I would recommend as a must. We shared an antipasti plate which had every type of meat and pickle Italy had to offer and then we had starter portions of seafood risotto/ mussels all were spot on and the service was excellent. Peronis and chilled chardonnays were very complimentary. All only worked out at £20 per head but beware this place can be expensive if cocktails, fine wine and champers is the form but the surroundings are fab.

Flying Pizza, Street Lane, Leeds.

I had some retired Directors round for a factory tour and when they ran the business the company regularly entertained clients at the legendary Flying Pizza so I guess it was inevitable that we would end up going down memory lane. The place is stereotypically Italian and hasn’t changed much just refreshed. The obligatory sharing of tomato garlic pizza was followed by various fresh fish which was just excellent. D thinks it’s a bit too “show off place” which is probably right weekend evenings but at lunch I forgot just how good this establishment can be!

Breakfast at Thorpe Park.

I had a breakfast meeting at this 5 star hotel, only thing worth saying is that it was not that good and at £15, 5 star price but 3 star food.

Fish, chips and Opera.

As it was my birthday I took a day off work and walked Chester a few miles to the Bankhouse and shared a packet of pork scratchings but he wasn’t allowed any of the Deuchars!

The evening was planned to be Harvey Nicks pre Theatre dinner followed by La Boheme at The Grand. Best laid plans as they say….we met Pat and Tony at Harvey Nicks for a drink only to find the whole of the 4th Floor Cafe was taken over by Santander for a Corporate event. We then decided to go to Nash’s, starters included a cold fish platter that included smoked salmon, prawns and mackerel pate plus a portion of prawn cocktail(with red onion??). Haddock and chips was followed by ice cream all very lovely. A couple of bottles of Rose and a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc went down well. The Opera was good but the Tenor didn’t quite have the power.

A busy week and not much time to catch up so G suggested a night away, after trying  to book our usual haunts I was beginning to panic until I remembered reading an article in the Sunday Times about The Sychnant Pass Hotel, a hotel which allows man’s best friend to explore every room apart from and rightly so,  the dining room, great Chester(our dog) can travel with us. Eagerly I rang and Bre the owner answered, they were full but they did have rooms at their other hotel…I looked at the website and did my usual trip advisor read up and booked.

We set off early Sat am and arrived in North  Wales 11.30ish then went for a walk around Loggerheads with my sister and her family and their 2 dogs. We arrived at Pentre Mawr at 2pm, we were greeted by Bre who offered us a bucks fizz followed by afternoon tea, the homemade fruit cake was lovely.

Full to the brim we set off to our accomodation, golf cart available but we decided to walk the 300 yards or so to the canvas lodges( I was corrected several times for calling them tents!). WOW , was all we could say as we entered the lodge…leather king size bed, comfy sofa, flat screen tv, fabulous furnishing. The bathroom had underfloor heating, double sinks, roll top bath and free standing shower and outside in the private small relaxation area a hot tub for two as well as recliner sun chairs.

We decided to chill with a bottle of Prosecco IN THE  HOT TUB IN THE SNOW! We then sat on the sofa watching the flat screen TV, eating chocolates………pure decadence. The bathroom beckoned as we had to get ready for dinner at the house. Couldn’t get G out of the rainfall shower. Eventually we were dressed and looking forward to dinner but on opening the front door we were greeted by 4 inches of snow and the whole place was a winter wonderland which just added to the fabulous atmosphere.

The house has been in the family for 400 years and is trdaitional Country House with 2 sitting rooms a dining room with conservatory but the piece de resistance is the fantastic main dining room for private parties, lots of wood/mirrors/silver!

Dinner was cooked by Bre (she is a super woman and does everything) and was 3 homely well presented courses. Cheese is taken in the sitting room with drinks from the honsety bar. A very relaxed evening chatting with other guests.

Despite the snow the huge bed with electric blankets was vey warm and cosy. After a good night’s kip we walked back to the house through the snow for breakfast. Juices, cereals, fruit, cold meats are served on the big country kitchen table before a individually cooked breakfast is served with builders tea.

A fab weekend was had by all 3 of us and we set off back home with smiles on our faces feeling totaly chilled……….Chester snoring away in the back.

D&G

On Friday night I was asked By a friend to meet her at the International Curry house in Morley Street, this was a trip down memory lane for me as this was the place I ate my first curry 30 years ago. In fact when I used to go with the guys I was working with I used to have egg and chips until they persuaded me to have a keema curry. I’ve been a fan ever since.

It must be 25 yrs since I was last there  it’s a bit bigger now and it was bustling plenty of atmosphere. I remembered a few faces too, older and wiser just like me !! but  the owner was a little greyer than myself(quite a bit actually). Popadoms and condiments served as soon as you sat down and plenty of them.  I didn’t have my usual lamb chop starter because the other two weren’t having one so I ordered Lamb  and Spinach balti, it was fabulous. Anne had chicken and potato balti whilst Janet had a Keema. The portions were served in only what I could describe as little coal scuttles but there was plenty of it . I was glad I hadn’t had the lamb chops after all. Each main course came with either naan bread , 3 chippatis or rice which was included in the price. The Chippatis were the best I’d ever had, served  hot with my meal.

I was really impressed with my meal, fast pleasant service, tasty hot food, good value for money, a warm multi-cultural atmosphere, I will certainly revist soon and not leave it another 25yrs as I’m not sure I’ll be around then and if I am I won’t be going into Bradford for a curry.

Tess

Wednesday lunchtime this week was spent in the very agreeable company of my good friend Jon Moss. Jon had suggested we have a lunchtime catch up around his neck of the woods and so we plumped for the newest Michelin-starred gastro pub, The Pipe and Glass.

Situated just outside Beverley in East Yorkshire, the pub/restaurant has been plying its high quality trade for a number of years and it has been only very recently recognised by Michelin for the quality of its food, service and surroundings. It’s location is lovely, right in the heart of a sleepy, picturesque Yorkshire Wolds village and on the day we visited it was very atmospheric - misty with the smell of woodsmoke hanging heavily in the air. Perfect.

The place was very busy for a midweek lunch with a lot of the tables occupied and I suspect a lot of curious diners were just like us, wanting to see what all the fuss is about. We were not to be disappointed.

Pre lunch drinks for water for Jon and a glass of local ale - Wold Top - for me, which was crisp and fresh. The set up is similar to many gastro places where you order from the lounge and then are taken to your table when they are ready to serve you. This was fine although the lounge was a bit full of diners who had all booked at the same time, causing a bottleneck, but they staff soon got the orders in and diners seated.

Jon ordered the potted Gloucester Old Spot with pork crackling dressed salad and Spelt toast from the blackboard and I ordered the crispy fried wild rabbit rissoles with cockle and caper vinaigrette, sorrel and free range ham, from the main menu. Both were generously proportioned and packed with flavour. Delicious.

There is clearly some good cheffery on the go at The Pipe and Glass and more experienced foodies than I have already identified this. For mains I ordered the blackboard ‘Pub Grub Classic’ Fish Pie. As Julie will attest, I go weak at the knees when I see a good fish pie (it’s a childhood thing) and I simply couldn’t resist it. It came with a lovely brown shrimp and fennel side salad which was the perfect light accompaniment to the winter comfort grub.

The fish pie was a delight - perfectly seasoned with lovely soft heat coming from the pepper and the fish just kept coming in huge chunks. The salad was fresh, fennelly and fishy.

Jon ordered the venison and juniper suet pudding with wild mushrooms, butter braised chanteray carrots, crispy smoked bacon and something called ‘clapshot’ (whatever that is). Jon declared this nursery food of the highest order and set about demolishing the plate as if he’d not eaten for a week. Seriously, a tip here: don’t eat breakfast if lunching at The Pipe and Glass. The portions are generousy Yorkshire-sized.

We couldn’t face desert unfortunately - I know, lightweights I hear you cry - but we were seriously full and could only manage a coffee afterwards. All in all, a very satisfying experience - the service was as good as you’d expect from a Michelin star and there was no pretentious activity. The staff were friendly, down to earth and efficient.

The prices are also very sensible indeed with our lunch costing just £35 a head, including drinks. With value, service, location and food of this standard, there’s not many that can hold a candle to The Pipe and Glass. We have already booked our return with the full Globe Troffer contingent, which says it all.