Chick Flick Thursday at the Sir Thomas Hotel

Never ones not to rush to the cinema the minute a new chick flick is released, it is safe to say we love them all. Rom coms, slushy romance, The Notebook to How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days – we’ve seen them all. Yes they may be predictable and the guy and girl always get together in the end and live happily ever after (apart from the guys who wrote The Break Up must have missed that memo – sorry, we still haven’t gotten over the ending, sob!) – they are undeniably feel good films.

The only thing better than sitting in your cinema seat with popcorn, pick n mix and a giant hotdog is rewatching one of your favourites in a swanky hotel, complete with champagne and a 3 course dinner. Such a simple but fantastic concept! We cannot believe that ‘Chick Flick Thursdays’ at the Sir Thomas Hotel have slipped under our radar even though they have been running for 4 years.  Watch everything from Dirty Dancing to the Twilight saga all for the fantastic value for money price of £14.95.

Huge projector screen

So for our first (but certainly not our last) visit to the Sir Thomas for ‘Chick Flick Thursday’, we glammed up, slicked on our lip-gloss, stepped into our heels and teetered in to watch one of our all-time favourites – Bridesmaids! Anyone who has seen Bridesmaids before knows that each and every time you watch it, it just gets funnier and funnier – Megan’s side splitting one liners (“I’m glad he’s single cos I’m gonna climb that like a tree!”), Annie’s blossoming relationship with the cop and the hilarious rivalry between Helen and Annie (who can forget the speeches at the engagement party!).

Bubbly

The Sir Thomas is centrally located right in the heart of the city centre and is a boutique hotel. Walking through the door, we were immediately handed a glass of bubbly and shown to our seats. The evening was full with 88 ladies booked in to see the film but it didn’t feel crowded at all as the tables were set out in such a way that there was a lively atmosphere but it wasn’t cramped. There were two large projector screens at both ends of the room so everyone had a decent view.

Interior of the Sir Thomas Hotel

Once seated we were given a menu with both a meat and a veggie option and our order was taken. There was also a price list for additional sweets, popcorn and chocolate that were available to buy once the film had started.  Now we didn’t have very high hopes for the food as often at functions like this the food is usually sub-standard fare that has often been sitting under heat lamps and then served. And although the food wasn’t gourmet it was really tasty and well cooked – we were very pleased!

The starter was Pea and Ham Soup served with a warm bread roll. Although pleasant, the soup could have done with a tad more seasoning as it was a little bland. However, there were nice chunky strips of ham throughout the soup which gave a nice texture.

Pea and Ham Soup

The main course was Cajun Chicken Breast, served with Potato Wedges, Coleslaw and a Sweet Chilli Mayonnaise. The chicken was perfectly chargrilled and coated in Cajun spices – very well cooked indeed. The wedges were hot and crispy and the coleslaw was the lovely creamy variety. The part we most enjoyed was the sweet chilli mayonnaise which was tangy, creamy and offset the kick of the Cajun spices beautifully.

Cajun Chicken Breast with Potato Wedges, Coleslaw and Sweet Chilli Mayonnaise

Dessert time! The only complaint we have about the dessert is that it wasn’t big enough! But that’s just us being greedy and for £14.95 for all we had received so far was really excellent value. White Chocolate and Raspberry Cheesecake was light, fresh and studded with white chocolate chunks. The chocolate provided a chunky bite against the smoothness of the raspberry filling.

White Chocolate and Raspberry Cheesecake

Once our plates had been cleared, the lights were dimmed and there was an opportunity to buy sweets, chocolate or popcorn. Of course we bought both a bag of Minstrels and a bag of Haribo (but this was obviously in the spirit of making us feel like we were in the cinema you understand ?)

Once the film started everyone tucked into their goodies and laughed along at the hilarious antics of the bridesmaids. There was a really happy, fun atmosphere and we all sang along to the Wilson Philip’s song played at the end of the film! The only thing we will say, is that because the film is screened in the bar area, noise from the bar carries through and there was quite a loud group of guys at the bar who we could hear over the film.

Other than this, which can’t be helped as it’s a public bar and for guests staying at the hotel, we wholeheartedly recommend ‘Chick Flick Thursdays’ at the Sir Thomas Hotel. Check out the Events section of their website for upcoming films, gather your friends together and head out for a fun, unique, very enjoyable night out.

www.sirthomashotel.co.uk

Ego

After our post on Vinea, we’re sure you are aware of our love for the Mediterranean. The stunning Tuscan countryside, the sensational Spanish coastline and the idyllic Greek Islands – so much variety and beauty, it would really be difficult to find somebody who doesn’t love at least one corner of the Mediterranean.

People who live on the Mediterranean take much more time to savour food, making sure they use the freshest, finest ingredients and as a result lead healthier, happier lives. Attempting to follow this example, on Bank Holiday Monday we headed out to find the sort of food that would accompany the glorious sunshine.

We found it at Ego Mediterranean Restaurant and Bar. The al fresco seats at the front of the restaurant were filled with customers drinking refreshing spritzers and digging into offerings like pitta and tzatziki, fresh kebabs and risotto. Unfortunately due to the popularity of the al fresco tables, we were unable to nab a seat outside but luckily the cool, air conditioned interior provided the perfect respite from the rare, hot sun outside.

With the menus emblazoned with scenes direct from a Greek Island – white washed houses built into the cliffside with their characteristic blue doors and shutters, tumbling down into the azure waters of the Mediterranean Sea below, fishing boats bobbing gently as the sun shines down……………you get the idea!

Being a huge lover of starters, one of the ScouseScran ladies decided to have two starters in place of a main course while the other two delved straight into the main menu offerings!  There is a really good choice of starters and narrowing it down to just two was extremely difficult. Everything from Gambas Pil Pil (Black Tiger Prawns, pan fried in garlic and chilli, served with tomato rubbed ciabatta), Crab Cakes (White Crab, Coley, Chilli and Lime Cakes, deep fried and served with tomato chilli jam) and Grilled Goats Cheese (on toasted brioche, with aged balsamic vinegar, caramelised red onions, orange and apricot chutney) – can’t we just stay all day and sample them all?

Deep Fried Camembert

Ok, ok – we finally made our decision but know that it was a wrench to not just order everything! Never ones to resist a bit of deep fried cheese, the Deep Fried Camembert were served as breaded wedges on mixed leaf salad with an apple and blackberry chutney. The wedges were perfectly fried, with a crisp coating. One pierce with the fork and the creamy camembert came oozing out onto the mixed leaf salad. Although pleasant, the apple and blackberry chutney wasn’t tangy or tart enough to cut through the creaminess of the cheese and therefore left you wanting something to combat all that creaminess.

Chorizo Frito al Vino

The second starter was the Chorizo Frito al Vino – Chorizo pan fried in red wine with garlic, rosemary and thyme and accompanied by toasted ciabatta. Now, this starter was outstanding. The thick, rich sauce and the saltiness of the chorizo married together beautifully and the portion was really well sized. The chorizo was cut into good sized chunks that perfectly mopped up all of that mouth-watering sauce. Although a couple of pieces of ciabatta were burnt a little on the edges,  the crisp toasted bread provided the perfect implement to make sure all of the excess sauce was captured!

Sharing Boards are also available and we definitely have our eye on one of them for our next visit. Choose from the Greek Meze Platter (Halloumi Kebab, Stuffed Vine Leaves, Meatballs in tomato sauce, tzatziki, hummus, taramasalata, pitta bread and olives), Fusion Meze (Prawn Filo Twisters, Spicy Fishcakes, Chilli and Mango Breaded King Prawns, Vegetable Spring Rolls, Moroccan Lamb Skewers, Carrot and Kohlrabi Salad with minted yoghurt, cucumber and sweet chilli dips) and the Spanish Tapas Platter (Serrano Ham, Manchego Cheese, Chorizo, Salami, Grilled Marinated Pork Escalopes, White Anchovies, Olives and fresh bread). We fancy the Fusion Meze the most!

Smoked Haddock Risotto

The Smoked Haddock Risotto was a decent sized portion and consisted of vialone rice, smoked haddock, chives, petits poir, cream and Parmesan. The rice was creamy, not heavy or gloopy at all and the fish was well cooked and flaked deliciously through the rice. The chives and petits poir gave colour to the dish and provided texture, whilst the Parmesan and cream made for a rich, hearty sauce.

Little miss healthy ScouseScran girlie went for the Chicken Kebab which was huge when it arrived! Even so, she had no problem in finishing every last morsel! The chicken was chargrilled and spiced and served in cubes on skewers and was accompanied by red onions, peppers, Greek salad, tzatziki, tomato salsa and 2 large pitta breads. The chargrilled, smoky taste of the chicken and the crunch and flavour of the red onion and peppers gave a lovely variety to the dish. Even better when all shoved together inside a pitta bread with the tzatziki and salsa!

Chicken Kebab

Never ones to fight our sweet tooth, before our main courses were so much as cleared, we asked for the dessert menu. Options such as Vanilla Mascarpone Cheesecake, Warm Chocolate Brownie and Panettone Bread and Butter Pudding all tempted us equally. You can even have the sharing dessert which is a selection of the restaurant’s favourite desserts. Right, decisions had to be made and we are all too aware we spend far too long deliberating over menus!

Sticky Toffee Pudding

Sticky Toffee Pudding with Vanilla Ice Cream and Toffee Sauce came as a huge hunk of cake, yet despite this the sponge was light and not heavy at all. A nice touch was that they served the vanilla ice cream in a little separate dish so you could decide yourself whether you wanted it to mingle with the pudding or to eat it separately.

The Seville Orange Tart was served with orange crème fraiche and a raspberry sauce. This dessert was citrusy, zesty and light. A perfect palate cleanser to round off the meal! The raspberry sauce gelled perfectly with the orange flavour of the tart and provided a nice contrast.

Seville Orange Tart

Ego is a really nice choice if you find yourselves around the foodie centre that is Hope Street. They do a Prix Fixe menu which offers excellent value for money – 2 courses for £12.95 or 3 courses for £14.95. Their Gluten Free menu is extensive with a huge number of choices.

Also why not pop along to their Tuesday evening Steak Night?  All steaks are aged for a minimum of 21 days and you can choose between Rib-Eye, Sirloin and Rump.  Steaks are £10.00 and you can choose to have your steak pan fried or chargrilled. All steaks are served with hand cut chips, grilled tomato, onion rings, sautéed flat mushroom and a choice between garlic butter, peppercorn, dolcelatte or shallot sauce.

What are you waiting for?

www.egorestaurants.co.uk

The Quarter

Quiet, peaceful but still bustling with life, Hope Street seemed the perfect destination to head to for a relaxing Sunday brunch. Nursing sore heads from overindulging on cocktails the night before, we wanted good food in a serene atmosphere.

Awarded the ‘Great Street Award’ in the 2012 Urbanism Awards, Hope Street beat countless others to be named the best street in the country. The street is named after William Hope, a merchant, whose house stood on the site now occupied by the Philharmonic Hall.

Situated on the corner of Hope Street, at 7 Falkner Street is The Quarter Restaurant and Deli Kitchen. A very popular spot with locals and visitors alike, The Quarter has expanded 3 times in the last 2 years to accomodate their huge following, as well as opening a deli. The interior decoration matches the men – fresh, funky and appealing.

Quirky Interior

We have to say, the wait staff weren’t the friendliest bunch and as there didn’t seem to be anyone available when we first arrived, we just found our own table and sat down. As previously mentioned, one of our ScouseScran girls is gluten free and the majority of restaurants are able to accommodate her with no problems whatsoever. Assuming there would be gluten free options here, we ordered some drinks and started perusing the menu.

Menu

Feeling so delicate from the previous evening, The Full Quarter Breakfast stood out immediately. There was a good selection of options and it was a hard decision to select just one item from offerings such as Sweet Cured Bacon & Mushrooms on Toast, Gold Award Cumberland Sauasage Bap and Pain Au Chocolat.

However, 2 of us were feeling greedy and went for the full works – Bacon, Sausage, Hash Brown (always the best bit of any brekkie!), Mushrooms, Black Pudding, Tomato, Fried Eggs, and Toast. The staff were happy to substitute fried eggs for scrambled and the breakfast arrived piping hot and well cooked. The bacon was crisp and not greasy at all, the thin sausages were succulent and tasty and the hash brown had a crisp outer skin and a fluffy, piping hot centre. It’s a shame the same can’t be said of the toast. Thick, white farmhouse bread arrived but was stone cold. Always disappointing when you want to spread lashings of butter on which will melt into the toast!

The Full Quarter Breakfast

Now, as we mentioned before, the staff weren’t the friendliest bunch and when asked about gluten free options, only offered the selection of gluten free cakes in the deli. We eventually asked if we could have the Eggs Benedict without the toasted muffin and enquired if there was anything else they could recommend to go with it as this would not really be substantial enough on its own.

At this point, if the waiter did not know what to recommend he really should have gone to ask the chef if there was anything gluten free he could whip up that wasn’t featured on the menu. However, he didn’t and we decided to ask for a side of mushrooms to accompany the dish. It was delicious when it arrived but not very filling.

Eggs Benedict

The deli part of the restaurant, known as The Deli Kitchen features all sorts of goodies. Fresh artisan breads including wholegrain, soda, sourdough and rye as well as bagels, baguettes and buns are displayed beautifully as you enter the restaurant. A selection case of home made cakes from cupcakes to lemon meringues to chocolate fudge cake defy you to pass by without taking one home for later!

For warm summer days there are a few tables outside which are perfet for soaking up the quiet, genteel atmosphere of the street.

Despite the wait staff (who really need to slap a smile on their faces from time to time!), we will continue to return to The Quarter for their fresh, well cooked produce and quirky, rustic interior design.

Pretty table setting

 

VINEA

Sometimes we think we should have been born in the Mediterranean. Our love for charcuterie and cheese platters, breads with balsamic vinegar and olive oil, along with an obsession for Prosecco really all points to the fact that we should have been born to a wealthy vineyard owner. Sitting on a terrace looking out over the vines whilst sharing the finest meats, oils and cheeses with friends…………..Wait! We’re getting carried away (but girls can dream can’t they?)

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

So when we were pining more than usual for the tastes of the Mediterranean, we headed to Vinea on the Albert Dock for some tasty sharing platters. The fact that ‘Vinea’ means Vineyard in Latin excited us even more! (What can we say, anything to do with vineyards pleases us!)

In spite of all this talk of the Mediterranean, Vinea was actually inspired by the owners visits to the Napa Valley wine region in California.

You can enjoy Vinea by attending a wine tasting or just pop in and order from the a la carte menu. Vinea’s own Liverpool Wine Club holds quarterly wine tasting events  including a 5 week wine tasting course and a South America tasting.

Liverpool Wine School

We went for the a la carte option but would love to return and do a wine and food pairing evening. There are over 10 wines available by the glass and as soon as our eyes spotted the prosecco offering, nothing else stood a chance!

Chilled Prosecco

As well as sharing platters, there are other options on the menu from panini’s to soup and a delicious sounding Caerphilly Rarebit. The platters are also available as an appetiser portion if you would like one to yourself.

We ordered both the Meat Board Platter and the Cheese Board Platter. Both platters were accompanied by the most amazing fresh bread which tasted divine when dipped in olive oil and balsamic vinegar. It was also delicious topped with the meat and cheese!

The Meat Board Platter consisted of chorizo, salamis and Bayonne ham.

Meat Board Platter

The meats were obviously hand cut and the smokiness and saltiness really came through. The chorizo was quite thickly sliced which personally we didn’t like as this meant the fat was quite chewy.

Cheese Board Platter

The Cheese Board Platter included a selection of hard and soft British Isle cheeses. The variety of both hard and soft cheeses provideda great contrast and they were all outstanding especially the Stilton.

So if you also have a penchant for the Mediterranean way of life, get your fix at Vinea.

 

Taste of New Zealand

After returning from 5 incredible weeks in New Zealand, I thought it would be a good idea to summarise a selection of the fantastic food I devoured over there. I think you will quickly realise why I put on half a stone but as you will see from the pictures, some things were too difficult to resist!

One of many al fresco lunches

I had planned to post restaurant reviews ‘live from the road’ but I seriously underestimated the availability of free wifi which was pretty difficult to find. Hopefully this post will make up for the lack of New Zealand posts and rest assured we have now resumed our attack on the Liverpool restaurant scene!

Now, as I mentioned on our Facebook page, everybody loves a big juicy burger! So I figure that’s a good place to start.

1) Fergburger (www.fergburger.com)

Whilst visiting the adrenaline capital of Queenstown I had been advised by many to not miss the legendary burger joint known as Fergburger. I saw the crowds before I even got halfway up the street. No matter what time of day you go, Fergburger has crowds spilling out onto the street, just waiting to sink their teeth into Ferg’s juicy goodness. Open 21 hours a day, there’s no choice but to suck it up, get in line and wait your turn. I promise you it will be so worth it! Check out their menu:

Fergburger’s Menu

With enough choice to keep even the most serious burger aficionado happy, select anything from the ‘Sweet Bambi’ made from wild fiordland deer to the ‘Bombay Chicken’ made from grilled chicken tenderloins in a chilli, ginger and coriander yoghurt marinade. I went for the ‘Southern Swine’ – prime New Zealand Beef topped with American streaky bacon, lettuce, tomato, red onion, avocado, aioli and tomato relish. I will confidently hold my hands up and say that this was the best burger I’ve ever eaten in my life!

Digging in to our Fergburgers!

2) Giapo Gelato (www.giapo.com)

Strolling around Auckland one night looking for dessert, I was so lucky to stumble across Giapo on Auckland’s main thoroughfare, Queen Street. Hailing themselves as an Ice Cream and Research Kitchen, unusual flavour combinations such as Chocolate and Blue Cheese, Organic Green Tea and Apple and Wasabi Sorbet abound. Head Chef Gianpaolo Grazioli is a self taught ice cream maker and all ingredients are made from scratch and by hand. I defy you to find better gelato outside of Italy!

Chocolate and Irish Whiskey Gelato

3) Antipasti at Pub on Wharf (www.pubonwharf.co.nz)

Situated on Steamer Wharf in the heart of Queenstown is Pub On Wharf. The perfect spot to grab a seat in the sun outside and enjoy lunch while taking in the views of Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkables mountain range.

I ordered a wonderfully presented Antipasti Platter which came on a wooden board and included a selection of dips, crackers, toasted bread, meats, pate, olives and cheeses. They had run out of pate but provided an extra portion of meat which I was more than happy with. This could easily have been shared between two and I struggled to finish it.

Antipasti Platter

4) Cloudy Bay Winery (www.cloudybay.co.nz)

Now it wouldn’t be fun, if there wasn’t any wine to wash down all that food would it? So on that note, I headed to Cloudy Bay Winery’s Cellar Door to participate in a wine tasting. Lying in the heart of the Marlborough wine region, Cloudy Bay produce wines such as Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pelorus Brut and Riesling. I did a three wine tasting of Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Riesling. The Riesling was the standout for me!

Cloudy Bay Winery

5) Hokey Pokey Ice Cream

What’s a holiday without ice cream, right? On that note, the only flavour to try was a traditional New Zealand flavour. Hokey Pokey is the most popular flavour in the country after vanilla and consists of plain vanilla ice cream studded with solid lumps of honeycomb toffee. It is also exported to Japan and the Pacific Islands.

Hokey Pokey Ice Cream

6) Colossal Burgers at the Fat Dog Cafe (www.fatdogcafe.co.nz)

Another town, another burger and you can never have too many of those . The Fat Dog Cafe in Rotorua has been around since 1995 and provides a colourful, quirky atmosphere. Displaying local artwork, it offers quality, home cooked food, albeit in colossal portions!

Check out the Cajun Chicken Burger – Grilled Cajun Chicken Breast with Bacon, Pineapple, Lettuce, Coleslaw, Fat Dog Aioli and Fries:

Cajun Chicken Burger

7) The Famous Stonegrill at the Brewers Arms, Merivale (www.thebrewersarms.co.nz)

A 400 degree stone served at the table seems like a novel idea hey? It definitely is but more than that, it gives you the opportunity to cook your steak exactly the way you like it. I’ve lost count of the number of times my requested ‘medium-rare’ steak has come out either under or over cooked so this was perfect for me. The fillet of beef is served raw with a choice of either new potatoes and vegetables or salad and fries and a choice of two dipping sauces. I went for garlic butter and peppercorn and started sizzling my steak to my hearts content.

Stonegrilled Fillet of Beef

8) L&P

L&P is a sweet soft drink only found in New Zealand and specialty overseas New Zealand Stores. L&P stands for ‘Lemon & Paeroa’ and was traditionally made from combining lemon juice with carbonated mineral water from the town of Paeroa. The drink is now manufactured by Coca-Cola. I found it to taste like a less sugary version of Sprite and it was very refreshing. Perfect for those long, hot summer days.

L&P

9) Tim Tams

Famous in both Australia and New Zealand, Tim Tams quickly became our snack of choice on the road!  Made by the Australian company, Arnott’s a Tim Tam consists of two layers of chocolate malted biscuit with a chocolate filling and coated in another layer of chocolate. What’s not to love?

And you can’t eat a Tim Tam and not do a Tim Tam Slam! This involves biting off opposite corners and drinking coffee through it.

Tim Tam’s

10) Lindauer Fraise (www.lindauer.co.nz)

A fruity, refreshing drink of bubbly sweetness, Lindauer Fraise quickly became our drink of choice to accompany al fresco lunches. Lindauer is New Zealand’s biggest sparkling wine export and is sold in 14 countries worldwide. The Fraise variety has a subtle strawberry aroma and leaves a delicious lingering taste of strawberries. I haven’t yet checked if it is sold in the UK but if it is, rest assured I will be stocking up and sharing it with my fellow Scousescran ladies .

Lindauer Fraise

So there is my round up of the foods and drinks I enjoyed in New Zealand.

Which would you like to try the most? We’d love to hear from you!

The Clove Hitch Bistro

Still missing our head girl who is out playing with the Hobbits over in New Zealand, we remaining girls are holding the fort in freezing cold Liverpool!!!  We ventured out to the Clove Hitch Bistro,  a small restaurant opposite the famous Philharmonic pub.

Looking fabulous, we brightened up an otherwise pretty plain interior, but the welcome was warm and the waitress was quick with recommendations for our gluten free girl.

Evening menu with gluten free options highlighted

We ordered steak with peppercorn sauce and sea-bass risotto which came came quickly and piping hot.  One of us had steak without sauce but came with a herb butter on it which wasn’t to her taste.

Our gluten free diner enjoyed hers enormously and was grateful for the boiled potatoes instead of the fried chips, as recommended by the waitress.

Steak with Peppercorn Sauce

The sea bass risotto was really tasty and the peas and micro greens complimented the fish well.

Sea Bass Risotto with Peas and Micro Greens

Never too full for a desert, we quickly moved onto Eton mess and sticky toffee pudding.  The Eton mess came in a quirky glass storage jar and was devoured with rave reviews.

Eton Mess

The sticky toffee pudding was a massive portion which could have done with more sauce.  This resulted in it being a little dry but enjoyable all the same.

Sticky Toffee Pudding

Rounding off the evening with a toast to our absent friend, we headed off into the chilly night.

The Clove Hitch Bistro, is a cosy, comfortable restaurant with dishes that are well presented and reasonably priced.

We Liverpool gals about town would recommend a mid week visit.  Happy eating!

Chaophraya Liverpool

It’s a very sad time here at ScouseScran HQ with one third of our eating trio making her way around the New Zealand sunshine (we’re not at all jealous)! But there’s still blogs to write and food to be eaten so we shall nevertheless continue…

Sunday evening took us on a trip to Chaophraya Liverpool in Liverpool One. You simply cannot fault the luxurious and glamorous surroundings with authentic Thai decoration and soft low lighting (always everyone’s favourite)! We had requested one of the private dining areas when we booked however we were actually seated at a normal table when we arrived although after a quick explanation to our helpful waiter and we were soon escorted through to the private area.

Private Dining Room

After a quick removal of our shoes we took our position in our sunken seats! This area certainly offers something a little bit different and would make a perfect table for a birthday treat or special occasion – much to our surprise there was no additional charge for this room!

Once the wine was flowing it was time to shortlist the mouth watering menu. After much deliberation we finally agreed on several starters and main courses (all to share – there’s far too much to simply choose one dish each)!!

To start we ordered:

Asian Platter: The ultimate starter selection of chicken satay, prawn tempura, chicken spring rolls, marinated pork with honey and Thai herbs. Served with a crispy duck salad.

Pork Spare Ribs: Grilled pork spare ribs marinated with fresh Thai herbs and homemade barbecue sauce, served with grilled pineapple and pink peppercorns.

Golden Baskets: Fill your own mini-tartlets with our chef’s special steamed and flaked blend of cod and coley, flavoured with lemongrass, lime leaf and honey.

Vegetable Tempura: Pumpkin, mushrooms, potatoes, green beans and spinach 
lightly battered and drizzled with caramelised palm sugar sauce and peanuts.

Asian Platter & Vegetable Tempura

The Asian Platter offered something for everyone however the ribs were slightly disappointing, quite fatty and there was no hint whatsoever of the pineapple or peppercorns. The two winning dishes were the Vegetable Tempura (we could drink the sauce it is so good) and the Golden Baskets (quickly renamed by ScouseScran as Golden Balls)! These fill your own delicious treats tasted more like a meat dish which was perfect for our non-fishy guests. Be warned – the duck salad on the Asian Platter has a secret spicy kick which took us ladies by surprise!

Golden Baskets and Pork Spare Ribs

Then it was onto the main courses! We ordered:

Weeping Tiger: The Chaophraya classic! Grilled sliced sirloin steak served on a sizzling plate with a hot and tangy chilli dip and drizzled with a black pepper sauce.

Lamb Teriyaki: Chargrilled tenderloin of lamb doused in teriyaki sauces topped with sesame seeds, fresh chilli, peppers and spring onion.

Sweet and Sour Chicken: Crispy chicken sautéed in a sweet and sour sauce with pineapple, peppers, onions, cherry tomatoes and pomegranate.

Spicy Fried Rice with Beef and Basil: Street-style traditional Thai fried rice with beef strips, fresh chilli and garlic, topped with a fried egg. Our staff’s favourite dish!

King Prawn Pineapple Fried Rice: King prawns in a turmeric fried rice garnished with sweet
honey pork and served in a pineapple boat.

Sticky Rice

Egg-Fried Rice

Main Course Selection

We tried to order something for everyone, the Sweet and Sour chicken was superb with a zesty fruit and vegetable mixture throughout. The Spicy Fried Beef was extremely popular among our group with not a single rice grain left on the plate however it certainly does live up to it’s name and is not for the faint hearted!

Another dish with a kick was the Weeping Tiger but nothing the Scouse Scran ladies couldn’t handle. The only slightly disappointing mains were the Lamb Teriyaki (we just found to be a bit too dry for our tastes) and the Sticky Rice (which was too sticky to even serve properly).

The most impressive dish of the evening was the King Prawn Pineapple Fried Rice which arrived in a show stopping half a pineapple! Not only did it look good it tasted sublime with the pineapple flavour really shining through in the rice.

King Prawn Pineapple Fried Rice

We didn’t order dessert we were far too full after the many culinary delights! The only small issue was that the electricity did fade in and out a few times and we were left in the dark for a few minutes (clearly waiting while they stuck another 50 pence in the meter)! However, this really didn’t stop us having an all round great evening and we think anyone would struggle to find fault with Chaophraya Liverpool. We will definitely be returning!

www.chaophraya.co.uk/venues/chaophraya-liverpool/

HOST

Work nights out that also involve food as well as after work drinks are always a favourite. After all, what are cocktails without some scrummy food to soak up all the alcohol? A colleague suggested Host on Hope Street due to the close proximity to our office so we all trotted off up there (via a cheeky few drinks in The Philharmonic!) and prepared to feast on a variety of the Pan-Asian offerings!

Glass fronted, stylish and very modern looking, Host takes residence on a street which is known for its culinary offerings (The London Carriage Works, Side Door Bistro etc.). Long, bench style seating gives a ‘noodle bar’ feel, but this place is so much more than a noodle bar! A mixture of Thai, Japanese and Chinese inspired dishes in the form of Small Plates, Big Plates, Nibbles and Sides, all served in a pastel hued interior, means Host is fast becoming one of Liverpool’s most popular restaurants.

Red Dragon Cocktail

Seated at a large table, the restaurant quickly filled up, even though it was only 6pm. A round of fruity Red Dragon cocktails were ordered and then it was on to the important stuff – choosing our dishes! The Nibbles section of the menu featured Wasabi Peanuts, Indonesian Prawn Crackers and Togarashi Popcorn – perfect to stave off those hunger pangs whilst perusing the menu. It is also worth noting that the menu often changes so will not always be the same each time you visit.

The Vegetable Spring Rolls with a Pickled Plum Dressing were a generous sized portion, with 4 crispy, piping hot spring rolls arranged neatly on the plate. Resting on a napkin, they were oil free, proven when the napkin remained completely dry and the pickled plum dipping sauce went beautifully with the spring rolls without overpowering them.

Vegetable Spring Rolls with Pickled Plum Dressing

A new dish for us and one we had not heard of before was the Duck Gyozas. Served with a Black Vinegar Dipping Sauce, these deep fried dumplings were crispy and filled to the brim with meaty, tasty duck. The black vinegar dipping sauce tasted almost like a mixture of soy sauce and balsamic vinegar.

Duck Gyozas with Black Vinegar Dipping Sauce

Other starters ordered included Chicken Satay with Peanut Dipping Sauce, Chicken Bang Bang Salad, Crispy Pork Belly and Sweet Soy Cured Salmon with Radish, Shallot and Szechuan Dressing. Everyone agreed the starters were a hit.

The main arrived and first up was the Smoked Chipotle Chilli Chicken Udon Noodles. Thick, soft noodles, mixed with fresh al dente vegetables, peanuts and smoked chipotle chicken offered a variety of textures. The peanuts and vegetables offered a satisfying crunch against the softness of the udon noodles. This dish also offered a wonderful spicy kick which lingered in the mouth – not for those who don’t like spicy food!

Smoked Chipotle Chilli Chicken Udon Noodles

The Wok Fried Pork Fillet with Wild Mushrooms, Garlic and Spinach and Sake Sauce provided tender, melt in the mouth pork fillet surrounded by a delectable sake sauce infused with garlic. The spinach and wild mushrooms added texture to the dish which was so so moreish!

Wok Fried Pork Fillet with Wild Mushrooms, Garlic, Spinach and Sake Sauce

The group also enjoyed mains such as Yellow Seafood Curry with Mussels, Prawns and Fish, Chicken Katsu Curry and Nasi Goreng. Unfortunately they wouldn’t wait long enough before digging in to let us take a photo. A good sign that the dishes tasted as good as they looked!

We didn’t order dessert as we headed down to one of our favourite cocktail bars, Santa Chupitos to carry on the revelry. Other reviews we’ve read haven’t rated the desserts so this is something we’ll have to try on our next visit. The dessert menu did however look good with choices including Cinnamon Doughnut Fingers, Peanut Butter Brulee and Chocolate and Chilli Brownie. We see that as an excuse to head back!

http://www.ho-st.co.uk

SCOUSESCRAN HEADS DOWN UNDER!

Photo courtesy of lisabearnson.com

As of 15^th March 2013, one third of the Scousescran ladies are heading down under to the land of Hobbits, Maori’s, glaciers and fjords. That’s right; it can only mean New Zealand! Tracey will be travelling around the North and South Islands, from Auckland to Christchurch for 5 weeks on an epic road trip.

Photo courtesy of telegraph.co.uk

Depending on internet availability and how much down time there is, she hopes to post reviews ‘live from the road’ on a whole range of Kiwi specialties! She’s looking forward to feasting on the famous Fergburger in adrenaline capital Queenstown, sampling the local lamb and taking part in a Maori cultural evening where dinner is cooked in an earthen pot beneath the ground.

Photo courtesy of toptravellists.net

While Tracey is off gallivanting, Sarah and Dee will continue to eat their way around Liverpool and will be posting their findings. If any of our readers have any recommendations for what local delicacies Tracey should try in New Zealand, please either post them in the comments section or send us a message via our Twitter and Facebook pages.

Hope you enjoy the posts from across the globe!

LAS IGUANAS

A trip to the cinema to watch the latest chick flick, Safe Haven (recommended if you’re fellow lovers of achingly romantic weepies that feature a hunky leading man , was followed by some Latin American tapas at Las Iguanas in Liverpool One.

Describing themselves as a ‘Latin American’ restaurant, they certainly have the ambience spot on. Busy and bustling but at the same time intimate, you can’t help but feel comfortable here right away. A bar serving delicious cocktails greets you as you walk through the door and the open kitchen is visible from every table.

Having previously visited South America, we can testify that Las Iguanas has brought all of the best elements of the regions restaurants to Liverpool. Although part of a larger chain, the quality of the service and food seems notably higher than the mass produced fare often found at other chains.

Voted as one of The Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For in 2013, the staff certainly seem to really enjoy their jobs and this comes through in the form of attentive, professional and friendly service.

After taking in the surroundings, there was only one thing to do – grab a cocktail and get delving into that menu! The cocktails are grouped into regions so choose from a Passion Fruit Caipirinha from Brazil, a Daiquiri from Cuba or a Peachy Pisco from Peru.

The thing we loved most about the eclectic menu was the fact that as well as serving main meals, there was the option of ordering tapas. This was great as we got to try a range of different dishes instead of filling ourselves up on just one! Las Iguanas even have Happy Hour Tapas where 3 dishes can be ordered for just £13.80.

Gambas

Our first dish of Gambas arrived and certainly matched its description of ‘Greedy Whole Prawns, split and cooked in a Garlic, Lemon and Chilli Sauce.’ The prawns had their shells still on so if this makes you a little queasy be sure to ask for them to be deshelled in the kitchen first! Plump, juicy king prawns were swimming in a yummy marinade of garlic, lemon and chilli and fresh hunks of bread were perfect for mopping up all of the surplus sauce.

Calamares

Calamares – Whole Baby Calamari sliced and coated in crisp crumb cassava, served with creamy aioli were light, crisp and had some tentacles thrown in there as well for added texture and bite. The creamy aioli provided a lovely cooling dip for the hot battered calamari.

Having a penchant for all things dance inspired, we just HAD to order the Cha Cha Chorizo! Smoky Pork and Garlic Chorizo, braised with Onions in a Red Wine, Tomato and Smoked Jalapeno Sauce was so so tasty.  The chorizo was so tender; melting in the mouth and the sauce was incredibly rich, tangy and had the perfect balance of flavours. Hallelujah for the chunks of bread to mop up the remaining sauce (anyone else seeing a theme here ?)

Cha Cha Chorizo

This feast wouldn’t have been complete without sampling one of the delectable sounding quesadillas. A crisp, piping hot Quesadilla filed with Guajillo Chilli Mushroom, Truffle and Gooey Brie provided a flavour combination we have not tried before in a quesadilla. The mushrooms gave an earthy texture and the brie, although gooey was not plentiful enough. The addition of more brie (oozing out of the quesadilla as you bite into it) would’ve taken this dish from an 8 to a 10.

Guajillo Chilli Mushroom, Truffle and Gooey Brie Quesadilla

Our favourite dish of the night was the Pato Taquito. Rich shreds of Roast Duck and Caramelised Onion rolled in a Flour Tortilla and chargrilled, with a Spicy Cranberry Salsa. This tortilla was amazing, the duck was juicy and meaty and the caramelised onions and spicy cranberry salsa added a fruity tang. Unfortunately this is where the fabulous meal hit a bit of a road block. Halfway through eating the Pato Taquito, one of us pulled out a thick black hair which was wrapped up in the tortilla. We are aware that this happens and are not here to be critical about the restaurant as everything was great apart from this little slip up.

Pato Taquito

One word to the waitress and she apologised profusely and took the dish away. The manager also came over and apologised and offered to get us a replacement dish. By this point we had already eaten all of our other dishes and were full so this wasn’t necessary and they kindly took the item off the bill.

Other than that small incident (which was handled courteously and professionally), our meal was a great success. If you are looking for a casual spot for dinner, a restaurant with a bustling vibe and warm energy or delicious cocktails and Latin specialties, you won’t go far wrong with Las Iguanas.

http://www.iguanas.co.uk