Boston's Breakfast Cure

I am not gonna lie. I was really excited to try Boston Tea Party’s new healthy menu. This is my kind of grub. Whole foods, fresh fruit, seeds, spices? Check, check and check. Not to say that BTP were a greasy spoon before. Far from it, their fresh squeezed orange juice has brought me back from the brink many many times and they have a long standing commitment to real, good quality, ingredients that is no joke. The new menu adds four new dishes to the mix and on recent trip, we got to sample three of them.

As a porridge loving vegan mama, the star of the show for me was the brown rice porridge. The in-house menu explains that it is vegan and comes with mango and blueberries but what is doesn't tell you is that it is made with coconut milk (YAAASSSS!) and covered in cinnamon. So along with having a decadent yet subtle refined sugar free sweetness, this little bowl of goodness is hitting out of the park with healthy fats, circulation boosting spice, high fibre, slow release carbs, loads antioxidants and a proper dose of mango flavoured vitamin C. And did I mention that it was well lush? Because it was. My toddler absolutely loved it as well, and it with nutritional stats like that, he can have as much, of his own, as he likes. We will meet again little bowl. Mark my words. We will meet again.

I also had the opportunity to try the granola, or as I started calling it, the lovely crunchy, toasty, cinnamony, bowl of spelty nom noms!  It was soooo toasty. As in, I think the cinnamon was toasted as well, so that it has that extra bit of zing? And all of the little pumpkin seeds were just ready to pop out of their skins. While the incredibly nutritious chia seeds worked their magic amongst all of the nutty spelt flakes and the cinnamon dust. Top it off with fresh blueberries and raspberries, or even Greek yoghurt, and you've got yourself a party. 

My partner had the enviable task of reviewing the smoked salmon with cream cheese on rye. In his opinion, this classic combination of salmon and cream cheese was made heartier with the rye bread and the nutrient rich chia seeds added and extra element of texture. With cream cheese as an ingredient, this dish is probably the most calorific of the bunch but all the protein of the whole grain, smoked fish and super seeds, should make a perfect post work out treat!

This menu is one that doesn't disappoint on flavour and at under a fiver a bowl, they are making sure that the superfoods don't come at super prices. On this trip we didn't get to the dukkah, but I'm sure we'll be back again. Watch this space!

Restaurant Review: Byron Brings it Proper

Byron Proper Burgers

Don't let the sleek lines and clean design fool you, Princesshay's newest restaurant, Byron: Proper Hamburgers, is definitely about the food, and they're not messing around.  You see, the guys behind Byron are into American burgers - like really into them - and they've done their research. They've drawn from some of the States' finest establishments and most indulgent bun based cheekiness to inspire a menu with a few across-the-pond nods that you won't see at most other British burger joints. Delivered with style and ease, Byron is a welcome addition to the city centre dinnersphere.

Me and my meat eating wing man hubby popped in for an indulgent lunch, taking advantage of the best summer since 2004, for a little al fresco dining. Our friendly server greeted and seated us, and we got down to business.

Byron in the sunshine

We kind of went for it, starting out with the Tortilla Chips which came with a lovely fresh tomato salsa and a guacamole that might just be the best in the city - no really - both chunky and fresh. For the mains, I had the Veggie Burger of Portobello mushroom, goats cheese and Mediterranean veg with an order of courgette fries, and a glass of cloudy lemonade. And my carnivorous comrade had the Smokey burger with a portion of skin on chips and a side of macaroni cheese all washed down with a Brew Dog pale ale.

Lunch for two at Byron

For little old vegetarian me, my veggie burger was as good as any I've had, but the courgette fries(!) are something I only seen in the states and Byron were in fact BETTER than what I've had there. They were crispy, crunchy, perfectly seasoned and really worth the visit on their own.  My lemonade was just like mom used to make and, for research purposes, I sneaked a taste of the mac n' cheese and can attest to it being as rich as any of Uncle Sam's offerings. Vegetarians & vegans can also try the avocado salad or mix up the veggie burger with additional/alternative sides like sliced avocado, crispy fried onions and jalepenos as well as a selection of cheeses and sauces. 

The summer special: The Smokey

My partner also had high praise for his Smokey burger, saying that it fully lived up to its name with the taste of well...smokiness, coming through every bite.  All that smoked cheddar, smokey barbecue sauce, crispy bacon and crispy onions perfectly complimented his medium rare Scottish beef patty and made for some very happy dining. His beer was a light, deliciously malty, day time pale ale called Dead Pony Club by Brew Dog, part of a collection of quality craft beers available for on site.

And for puds, I had the brownie and he had the cheesecake. My brownie was hot and deliciously gooey and topped with a scrumptious drizzle of chocolate sauce. My husband's white chocolate cheesecake was an entirely different affair. This chilled cheesecake on a biscuit base, was decadently rich and well accompanied by the blueberry sauce.  A perfect end end to proper lunch.

And the kitchen were so quick as well.

Inside it's like a film noir set. Love the backlit factory windows.

Las Iguanas Lands in Exeter

There was a photo booth...I just about got the hang of it!

Las Iguanas launched their new Exeter restaurant this weekend with a bang. The party at their new Queen Street branch was heaving with VIPs grooving to a salsa beat and indulging in a delicious and generous selection of samples from the Latin menu.

VIPs a plenty....if you look closely you might see an Exeter Chief

We're talking mango & brie empenadas, mushroom quesadillas with garlic & thyme, mini smokey shredded beef burritos, nachos with quality guacamole & spicy salsa and that's before we even get down to the business of cocktails! Their signature caipirinha and rum punch were the stars of the night and the friendly staff were working hard to keep everyone topped up.

I was so excited to attend the event because Las Iguanas is kind of the answer to my prayers. As a native Californian I grew up on Mexican food and have struggled to find a good restaurant to fill that need. While the Taco Macho stall at the Exeter market, run by Ensenada Chef Gus, is a brilliant place for a spot of lunch, sometimes you just need more. Las Iguanas skill is that they manage to mix European ingredients with Latin recipes in a way that keeps the essence of the dish whilst giving if a fresh perspective. Add to this lovely staff and a vibrant atmosphere and you've got a recipe for awesomeness.

Bienvenidos a Exeter Las Iguanas!

Delicious Veggie Burrito that I sampled at their Brighton branch last spring.

Kudos to Cosy Club: A visit to Exeter's new eclectic eatery

Simon says 'Hello'

'So what exactly is a 'Cosy Club?' I asked @CosyClubExeter on Twitter before their 15 April opening.The reply came back with cool confidence, 'Think gents club meets village hall meets cricket pavilion!' and as I tread the wooden floor boards to my table, taking in the artwork and ambiance, it all became clear. Cosy Club is that wonderful combination of modern and vintage, quirky and classic, polite and relaxed. It's the kind of of place that that you could show up wearing your finest threads or your comfiest jeans and feel like you fit in.

Exeter Cosy Club

I popped in just five days after the opening to see what all of the buzz was about and wasn't disappointed. The place was a twitter with couples, parties and families perched on delightfully mismatched chairs and benches. The waistcoated staff were friendly and welcoming.  And I just couldn't stop staring at the lampshades.

The food is as eclectic as the decor with a mix of tapas, burgers and quality mains. We ordered two pints of the deliciously malty local ale, Falls Over by Exeter Brewery, and a set of burgers one beef and one veggie for supper. My veggie burger had just the right amount of structure with a crunchy exterior and mushy centre. The fries were perfect too and washing it down with the best pint of real ale I've had since the Exeter CAMRA Festival of Winter Ales, made it all the better. For pudds, we had matching apple tarte tartin which were lovely and cinnamonny and made me happy.

Exeter's branch is the 6th Cosy Club to open in the UK, joining a roster of award winning branches in Taunton, Bath, Salisbury, Cardiff and Stamford. This charming edition to Exeter's dining scene is just what Southernhay needs. The Jack Wills-esque atmosphere makes it classy enough to sit alongside places like Southernhay House and Magdalen Chapter. While the Bike Shed-lite quirkiness makes it funky enough to bring in young blood that might not otherwise venture down the Georgian Street of an evening. And the fact that it's open for Breakfast Lunch Dinner and Drinks is an extra bonus for people like me who like eating at random times of day! Must visit for breakfast/brunch sometime to try what looks like an epic vegetarian breakfast.

Cosy Exterior

My Ruby's Tuesday

There's a new burger spot in town and her name is Ruby.
  

Perched on the corner of Queen Street and Northernhay Place, Ruby's diner is a trendy update on the American style diners that we've see before. Simple design, Wagamama seating and a non traditional ordering system give it all the hallmarks of a successful 21st century eatery.   

On my Tuesday evening visit, the place was crawling with 18-34 year olds who, dressed in the latest high street casuals, are clearly the target market. They chatter away as fresh faced waiters served them in high back booths while mood music plays in the background. 

I ordered my food at the 'Self Service' counter and then waited for my food to arrive at the pass. When my name was called I went to meet the chef who'd prepared my 'falloumi' burger and onion rings. Everyone friendly and helpful.

And what of the food? Well I'm a bit of a lettuce munching vegetarian, so I had the one of their veggie burgers...specifically the falafel burger with halloumi cheese. My burger was big and tasty with avocado, salad and drip down your hand burger sauce. My red onion rings were a fresh update on traditional and clearly al la carte. This and a soft drink came to about £10 making it great value as well. 

With a location near the college and their marketing savvy, they should do well enough to put in a few more chairs!
 

Exeter's Best Japanese Noodles

Forget Wagamama, Exeter's best Japanese noodle house is Tyepyedong. Hands down. No do overs.

Not only is the food tastier, but the green tea is hotter, the staff friendlier, and the prices better. They are also a local and independent business that has been keeping me in noodles since they opened in the naughties.
The two dishes from the Tyepyedong menu that most thrill my little vegetarian palette are the Yasai Yakisobsa - made with actual soba noodles unlike the ramen they serve at a certain chain- and this cold curing Tofu Mei Fun Soup.

Eating Out: Exeter Taste Card Independent Restaurants

Chain Restaurants in the Tastecard Programme

It might be said, by some, that I am...tight...that I pinch my pennies or more accurately that I gather them from throughout the the house, into a jar and then take them down to the Coinstar machine at Sainsbury's and cash them in for pounds before sticking the pounds back in my miserly pockets. I recycle, I reduce, I reuse, I get creative with accessories from charity shops, I make curries with left overs, and I am a big fan of Martin Lewis's MoneysavingExpert.com. And it was Martin, appealing to my frugal nature and great appreciation for tasty food, who led me to the TasteCard.

If you're not familiar with the Tastecard, then I should explain that this magical card allows you to get 2for1 deals or 50% off your bill the next time you saddle up to one of their participating eateries. There is normally a fee to sign up, but we were able to get a free 3-month trial and it's been pretty sweet. It works all over the UK but in Exeter there are tons of places to cash in on the action. While most of the Tastecard hook ups are at chains, if you would like something outside of the Pizza Express/Prezzo/ASK/Zizzi/Bella Italia faux-talian menu, here's a run down some of the independents on the list.

Bar Venezia
This is one of the most popular destinations on the Quayside. When the sun comes out, their picnic tables are full to the brim. They serve Mediterranean food, sheesha and also hold Salsa and Zumba classes.

Dance Class at Bar Venezia

Oriental City
This might be Exeter's classiest Chinese restaurant. Located on Pinhoe Road, they have a massive menu and the decor looks less like something that you'd see in an Exeter suburb and more like what you'd expect in Singapore. It's also one of the only places in town that you'll come across the lazy-susan feasting tables that seat about 10 people.

The Olive Tree Restaurant at the Queens Court Hotel
I can admit that I haven't personally been to the Olive Tree, but their menu looks fantastic and their TripAdvisor ranking is more than solid. With more than 35 reviews they've got 4.5 stars and are ranked 28 out of 232 restaurants in all of Exeter town.