Category: Food & Drink

Hard Rock Cafe, Manchester

Days Out, Family Life, Food & Drink, Restaurant

Disclaimer: We received a meal and drinks free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.

Nestled right in the heart of Manchester, within the newly refurbished Printworks entertainment complex, stands the Hard Rock Café, a veritable shrine to rock ‘n’ roll and, as it turns out, mighty fine food.

Upon entering we were warmly welcomed and shown to our booth which, given our location, was the ideal spot – situated beneath a display of memorabilia from Oasis – one of  Manchester’s most iconic bands.  The Hard Rock Café is more than just a restaurant, it’s a celebration of music, culture, and legendary artistry. When you look around the restaurant there is an amazing collection of memorabilia, from guitars autographed by iconic musicians, drum kits on the walls and outfits worn by some of the world’s most famous musicians, every piece tells a story and a meal at the Hard Rock Café is as much a feast for the eyes as it is for the taste buds.

January, of course, is a month for frugality, as many of us recover from the excesses of Christmas. And so, the two mains for £25 deal (available Monday to Thursday, 12–3 pm) was music to our wallets. While the menu for this offer isn’t as vast as the standard menu, the selection remains delightfully tempting. Choices range from a Caesar Salad with Chicken or Salmon to a classic burger with fries, a grilled chicken sandwich, or a South-Western Chicken Bowl, each each dish tempting enough to make you reconsider those New Year resolutions.

Guided by the expert advice of our ever-attentive server, Andy, we began with the starters: the “One Night in Bangkok Spicy Shrimp” and a mammoth tray of nachos. While the nachos were generous enough to satisfy two, it was the shrimp that truly stole the spotlight, perfectly crispy, tantalisingly spicy, and served on a bed of crunchy coleslaw – it was absolutely delicious and I could easily have eaten a second portion!!

For our main courses, my husband opted for the Caesar Salad with Salmon, while I indulged in the Classic Burger with Fries. The salad was delightfully fresh and crisp and refreshing with large croutons providing a pleasing crunch, while the salmon was cooked to perfection. The burger, was everything a good burger should be – a towering stack of tender beef, melted cheese, and all the classic accompaniments, expertly assembled for maximum satisfaction.

After devouring two courses, we were feeling quite full, but I can never say no to dessert, especially when there’s a hot chocolate fudge brownie on the menu. This show-stopping treat arrived in a towering glass, featuring a warm, gooey brownie as its base, crowned with generous scoops of vanilla ice cream, a fluffy swirl of whipped cream, and a bright red cherry on top. Rich, indulgent, and utterly divine, it was the perfect way to end the meal on a sweet high note.

The atmosphere in the restaurant was relaxed yet lively, with classic rock hits playing at just the right volume to enhance the vibe without overwhelming the conversation. The staff were friendly and efficient, and the diverse crowd, families, couples, and groups of friends—added to the welcoming, inclusive feel of the place.

If you’re in Manchester and looking for a meal that delivers on flavor and fun, the Hard Rock Café is a must-visit. We’ll definitely be back—and probably sooner rather than later!

Walk-ins are welcome, but booking is recommended. For more information or to reserve a table, visit: Hard Rock Café Manchester.

Maison Francois, 34 Duke Street SW1Y

Birthday Gifts, Days Out, Family Life, Food & Drink, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Restaurant

NOT SPONSORED
Tucked behind The Ritz and Fortnum & Mason, Maison Francois is a piece of France nuzzled into the London West End scene.  The food, like the extensive menu, is quintessentially French and uses the best ingredients in one of the best London locations to keep Londoners happy. Very few people know of its existence either, making this a new find for most casual city diners.

The restaurant opens into an Art Deco floor with woodwork booths and sectioning to give privacy to diners.  There’s a huge pewter clock above the passe to the kitchen and the high ceilings makes it easy to talk at any of the tables.  The menu is written all in French but the staff are happy to help with any of the items especially the specials and the bar is well stocked, again with specials available to everyone.

Maison Francois is famous for their patisseries but before we get to that stage, the menu is worth talking about.  There is a huge choice and everything that you can imagine is French is on there, including some things that aren’t such as types of pasta and breakfast items.  The steaks and duck pasta (reginette, ragoût de canard, olives vertes) are particularly good.  We also sampled some of the wines which are on show in a huge cabinet behind the waiter’s station.  The desserts are also on show, but in the old-fashioned tradition of a dessert trolley.  The glass dome shows off the hand crafted cakes and drawers underneath hold even more delights such as macarons and bark.

Downstairs there’s a breakfast bar which turns into a wine bar after 3pm. Again, the theme of open plan works well here as you descend downstairs and see the deli items on show.  No reservations are needed here but as it’s downstairs, you can easily hide away or take time out before returning to shopping.

The atmosphere is professional yet low-key with a high level of service but a familiarity of the restaurant and friendly staff.  The attentive nature of a French restaurant means you are well catered for, service is quick and the food is top level.

Pros

Huge choice of French cuisine

Excellent desserts and a range of cakes

Service was friendly and efficient

Cons

The menu is entirely in French so you might need a translation from staff

Can be pricy, reflecting on the quality of the food

https://www.maisonfrancois.london

Clean G No-Alcohol Rhubarb

Birthday Gifts, Drinks and Mixers, Family Life, Food & Drink, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

To you and me, this is just like rhubarb gin but without the alcohol!  For anyone taking part in Veganuary, Ginuary or who has a New Years Resolution to go alcohol-free, this is a life saver and something to look forward to for 2025.

The Clean G Rhubarb Alcohol Free Spirit is also sugar free, but crafted from high quality ingredients to give the flavour of gin, and specifically rhubarb gin, but without the hangover or guilt.  It has the fruity rhubarb flavour and can be used just as a gin would be with a tonic or as part of a cocktail but as it’s zero alcohol, you can drink it neat as well.  We would suggest trying it out first though to see if you like the flavour and then making up your favourite drink from it! As it’s alcohol free, you can probably find many uses for it, including in ice cubes or an ingredient in jelly if you can get it to set. The possibilities are endless though.

Does it really taste like gin though?  The answer is yes, and it has the dryness of gin as well with that yumminess that makes you want to pour another one or share with your friends.  The citrus taste along with the sharpness of the rhubarb make it excellent for after dinner at New Years or with friends during January when some people won’t be drinking but still don’t want to have a fizzy soft drink with dinner. It’s sugar and sweetener free and won loads of awards over the past few years so you’re in good company with it too.

Have a look at the Clean G other products including their version of rum, whiskey and straight gin without the flavourings. Maybe 2025’s New Year Resolution to give up alcohol has been to find a new tipple instead?

Available from £16 at: https://clean.co/products/clean-g-rhubarb-alcohol-free-spirit

Tower Good Food Slow Cooker

Autumn, Birthday Gifts, Christmas, Family Life, Food & Drink, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Home & Garden, kitchen appliances, Mother's Day, Winter

Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.

Christmas is such a special time, a chance to gather with friends and family and, of course, indulge in delicious food and drink. As much as I enjoy cooking, preparing the festive feast can sometimes feel like I’m running a culinary marathon so when Tower sent me their latest kitchen gadget, a digital 3.5-litre slow cooker from their Good Food range, I was absolutely delighted.

I must admit, I’d never used a slow cooker before, and now I’m wondering how I’ve managed without one all these years. Gone are the days of worrying about oven timings or dashing about like a contestant on Bake Off. Instead, I simply pop the ingredients into the pot in the morning, set the timer, and by teatime, I have a gorgeous meal waiting for me. Meanwhile, I’ve been free to relax with friends, sip a glass of mulled wine, and actually enjoy the festivities.

Whether it’s a cosy supper for two or a feast to feed the entire extended family, the slow cooker handles it all with ease. A bit of prep in the morning is all it takes to create dishes that taste like I’ve been slaving away in the kitchen for hours. And let’s be honest, no one needs to know otherwise!!

This Christmas, I’m especially looking forward to using it for all those turkey leftovers. Turkey curry, turkey casserole even turkey chilli – it’s going to be so easy. The removable aluminium pot can be placed directly on the hob (excluding induction hobs), allowing you to brown your ingredients before transferring the pot back to the slow cooker. This process not only locks in deep, rich flavours but saves on washing up too!

The slow cooker has three different settings, low, high, and a keep-warm function, ensuring the food is ready whenever I need it to be. There’s also a brilliant delay-start function, which means I can schedule the cooking to begin at a time that suits me best. Whether I’m juggling holiday errands or planning around my family’s busy day, this feature is great and means I can have meals ready when I need them.

Cleaning up is a breeze too, thanks to the removable ceramic pot and tempered glass lid, both of which are dishwasher-safe.

In short, it’s a kitchen essential I never knew I needed but now can’t imagine living without and this year I’m going to be spending less time sweating over the stove and more time enjoying the magic of Christmas with my loved ones and leaving the hard work to the slow cooker!

RRP £59.99

James Gin by James May

alcoholic drinks, Birthday Gifts, Christmas, Drinks and Mixers, Food & Drink, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Winter

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

James May, legendary of Top Gear and The Grand Tour, has launched a new brand of gin. It’s not really surprising that it’s called James Gin is it? We have been sent a cute gift set of James Gin samples (Asian Parsnip, London Drizzle and California Dreamgin’) to try out. Yes, you read that correctly, one of them is made with Asian Parsnip! We also received James’ new book on gin cocktails called James Gin Big Book of Cocktails, which somewhat less surprisingly, is actually a diminutive book but does contain a lot of gin cocktail recipes!

James makes the gin himself in what he describes as an ‘alarmingly cold’ shed in Wiltshire. He doesn’t make it all on his own, but has the help of expert gin maker Hugh Anderson of Downton Distillery. The idea of Asian Parsnip was all down to James though. He wanted to make a parsnip gin that reminded him of Blighty (damp, root vegetable) but presumably it was so damp and root vegetable-like that he needed to spice it up with some Asian spices. The Asian Parsnip gin has a slightly unusual taste with the spices coming through later to offset the root vegetable tone. It’s perfectly drinkable though, and works well with tonic water which is how I consumed it.

James Gin London Drizzle is a lighter taste, and I’m told it’s made from beetroot, orange, bay and ginger to make a slightly more fruity gin. It’s slight drier than I like though, but again works well with tonic water and gives you an idea of the flavour in order to buy a bigger bottle.  The James Gin California Dreamgin’ (yes the ‘g’ is in the wrong place to give it the unusual name) is made of mushrooms. James says that it’s made of girolle mushrooms for those who recognise that meat is murder but if you’re just in it for the gin, then this umami gin is for you.  The mushroom gin is flavoured with oregano, coriander and lemon peel with some added spices to give a unique flavour.  This gin on its own, in small doses, is actually quite refreshing but you obviously can’t drink a lot of it at 40% alcohol so adding a flavoured tonic would be advisable.

My favourite? The California Dreamgin’ because of the unusual taste, and the fact that I can tell people that they’re drinking a gin made of mushroom! All in all, a useful and very enjoyable gift set.

The James Gin Gift Set: £18.99 https://www.jamesgin.com/products/new-gift-set

Grow Your Own Food Lady Muck Style – Book

Birthday Gifts, Books, Christmas, Drinks and Mixers, Gifts for Her, Home & Garden, secret santa, Stocking Fillers, Women

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

A book which is dedicated to gardeners and growers alike, with no prejudice regarding why you grow herbs and vegetables (cocktail anyone?) by writer Lady Muck.  You’ll pick up gardening tips, morsels of information about Lady Muck’s life, past and present, and have a few laughs at the shenanigans she gets up to, too.

Having previously worked in The City, Lady Muck began writing articles for magazines when she started her own herb garden. Admittedly, she only started growing to be able to garnish her homemade cocktails with her home grown plants, but that grew to growing lots of other herbs, vegetables, fruits and flowers.  The short chapters detail her journey along the way and tell the story of how a cocktail herbalist got to a top tier gardener, notwithstanding ‘help’ from her husband along the way.

The book is organised into article-length chapters with bold, colourful illustrations along the way.  Each chapter tells the story of Lady Muck gardening, and her life with His Lordship, her husband. It’s very funny, and a narrative on modern day marriages especially past a certain age. Think Bridget Jones but older, and with even more cocktails but a few wellies and soggy lettuces along the way. Very entertaining, fans of Lady Muck will love it, and anyone looking for a stocking filler, light reading for commuting or a holiday read will relish it.

Paperback £10.99: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Grow-Your-Food-Lady-Style/dp/1738538311

Bathtub Gin Limited Edition

alcoholic drinks, Birthday Gifts, Christmas, Drinks and Mixers, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

Yes, you can give gin for Christmas this year that’s both pretty and top notch!  Bathtub Gin have a limited edition bottle in collaboration with fellow Kent companion, Harlie Brown who has created a beautiful punch bowl to match.  We were sent the Bathtub Gin to try, which doesn’t have to be bought with the punch bowl but together they make a fantastic gift for any gin lover!

Bathtub Gin is made the old-fashioned way in a copper pot still with infusions of juniper, orange skin, coriander, cassia, cloves and cardamom. Sampled periodically, the still process is adjusted according to taste. The resulting gin is high quality and delicious, and not like the mass produced gin you find in High Street supermarkets. The Tonbridge, Kent based distillery hand wrap each of the bottles with a brown paper design by Harlie Brown then strung and dipped with wax for sealing. Bathtub Gin has won over 40 awards including gold at the World Gin Awards in 2019, 2020 and 2022. 

The neat Bathtub Gin is potent at 40.3% with the aroma of the juniper hitting first. This is a gin for those who love the scent of gin and then savour the flavour.  Drunk neat, the juniper flavour wanes to the cloves and cardamom taste.  We paired Bathtub Gin with a fruit tonic and a slice of lemon to bring out the flavour.  There’s a reason Bathtub Gin has paired up with Harlie Brown to create a punch bowl – it makes wonderful punch! The bowl can be bought as part of the gin and punch bowl set here: Bathtub Gin and Harlie Brown Punch Bowl Set.

It’s a great gift with the theatre of the string and waxed cork to unwind in front of guests or to enjoy as part of a celebration.

Available from £34.95 at: https://www.masterofmalt.com/gin/bathtub-gin/harlie-brown-x-bathtub-gin-limited-edition-gin/#product-details

Jamu Wild Waters

camping, Children, Drinks and Mixers, Family Life, health, Plastic free

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

As we approach Dry January, Jamu Wild Waters makes an excellent alternative to alcohol whilst being more exciting than just plain water or sparkling water in a can.  With 100% natural ingredients, each can contains zero sugar, no artificial sweeteners and is very low calorie at 18-20 calories each, depending on the flavour. Even better news, there’s 5 grams of prebiotic plant fibre per can and added Vitamin C and Zinc for immune support.

The belief of Jamu Wild Water is to make healthy living, and especially fizzy drinks, which are also good for the environment.  That’s why they don’t use plastic in their products, instead favouring the aluminium cans which are recyclable and cardboard that contains up to 70% recycled products. Made in the UK, there’s a lower carbon footprint when Jamu Wild Water isn’t shipped across the sea and the waste products are easily recycled in the UK too.

Jamu Wild Waters comes in three flavours; Sparkling Blood Orange, Sparkling Lemon and Sparkling Raspberry.  The prebiotic factor doesn’t affect the taste, with the sparkling water being bright and each flavour being distinctly different. You can taste the lemon botanical amongst the bubbles, and the Blood Orange flavour is very citrussy!  My favourite though is the Raspberry flavour, with a slightly sweet, fruity taste and the carbonated bubbles add a lightness that makes you think that you’re drinking something alcoholic. There’s no reason why you couldn’t create a non-alcoholic cocktail using Jamu, or likewise add it to children’s lunchboxes. I can’t speak of the long-term effect of Jamu Wild Waters’ prebiotics but it can’t be a bad addition to the larder!

Pack of 12 available from £23.99 at: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jamu-Wild-Water-Multipack-botanicals/dp/B0BGSX8LMH/ref=asc_df_B0BGSX8LMH?mcid=7c82553edbee3487b05c93e309fe20c5&tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=697294449551&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14122214736523997506&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9045873&hvtargid=pla-2387769947272&psc=1&gad_source=1

The Sweet Bouquet Emporium and Chocolate Bouquet Shop

Birthday Gifts, Children, chocolate, Christmas, Family Life, Food & Drink, Gifts for children, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Gifts for teachers, Valentine's Day Gifts, Women

Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.

Buying Christmas gifts for teenagers can be a real challenge, but I’ve found something that’s guaranteed to go down a treat, these incredible sweet and chocolate bouquets from The Sweet Bouquet Emporium. They’re the ultimate treat for anyone with a sweet tooth and make a fantastic Christmas gift for all those hard to buy for people that we all know and love.

Now whilst I love a bouquet of flowers, a chocolate bouquet is a real game-changer! Perfect for any occasion, but especially magical at Christmas, these beauties tick all the boxes. They’re not just delicious (and who doesn’t love a bit of chocolate?), but they’re also put together so beautifully, you almost don’t want to eat them… almost!

What’s brilliant about these gifts is the range of options you can choose from. Whether you’re a fan of Haribo, Ferrero Rocher, Dairy Milk, Galaxy, or retro sweets like Rainbow Drops and Love Hearts, there’s a bouquet for everyone. Each one is carefully arranged in a colour-coordinated box with matching tissue paper and ribbon, giving it a sophisticated yet fun look. The chocolates and sweets are displayed like a floral arrangement, which adds that all-important wow factor.

The Galaxy Chocolate Bouquet costs £28.95 and is a chocolate lovers dream It includes:

  • 2 large 114g bars of Galaxy Cookie Crumble,
  • 6 smaller 42g bars (3 each of Smooth Milk and Smooth Caramel),
  • 3 Ripple bars, and
  • 3 bags of Galaxy Minstrels.

For those who love a nostalgic treat, the Classic British Sweet Bouquet is packed with retro sweets like Refreshers, Haribo, Double Dips, Giant Fizzers, and Love Hearts. It’s a delightful trip down memory lane and a perfect gift for sweet lovers of any age, priced at £32.95.

Just like with a traditional bouquet of flowers, you can add a personalised message to your chocolate or sweet bouquet, making it an extra special gift. Plus, with delivery available across the UK, it’s so easy to send a thoughtful surprise to friends and family, no matter how far away they are. It’s a fabulous alternative to flowers, who wouldn’t love a bundle of sweet treats arriving at their doorstep?!

Whether you’re shopping for teenagers, friends, or that one person who’s impossible to buy for, a chocolate or sweet bouquet isn’t just a gift—it’s a centre piece, a conversation starter, and a guaranteed way to brighten someone’s day.

So if you want to bring some sparkle to someone’s Christmas, these bouquets are a no-brainer. Trust me, you’ll want to order one for yourself too!

Fatso Chocolate

Birthday Gifts, chocolate, Christmas, Food & Drink, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Gifts for teachers, Mother's Day, secret santa, Stocking Fillers, Valentine's Day Gifts, Women

Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own

If you’re on the hunt for the ultimate indulgence this festive season, look no further than a bar of FATSO Chocolate. Made from the finest single-origin cacao, every bite is a journey into rich dark chocolate heaven. This isn’t the kind of chocolate that you’d scoff down in one go, unless of course you’re made of money or don’t have the slightest respect for good chocolate! It’s rich, smooth and incredibly tasty!

FATSO sources their chocolate exclusively from a Columbian family owned business and co-operative called Luker. The company are 100% ethically driven and they grow delicious, sustainable cocoa that has been awarded the highest chocolate classification, FINO DE AROMA. They also work closely with a network of farmers, alliances and communities to improve social welfare, biodiversity and farming practices. This means that the chocolate doesn’t just taste good – it does good, too.

The 150g bars are packaged in recyclable cardboard boxes, making them the ideal size to slip into a Christmas stocking. Just imagine it, Christmas morning, the stockings are opened, and there it is – a bar of FATSO chocolate waiting to be unwrapped. Fast forward to later in the day, and you’re curled up in front of the fire, blanket wrapped around you, savouring each bite. It’s the ultimate festive indulgence.

And how does it taste? In a word sensational! My favourite is the Sweet Tart bar, inspired by the classic Bakewell Tart (my favourite pudding) it’s a 60% cacao masterpiece loaded with cherries, almonds, and shortbread. The shortbread brings a delicate sweetness that balances the richness of the dark chocolate whilst the cherries bring a lovely tang, and the almonds give it a satisfying crunch.

The quality of FATSO chocolate is exceptional, easily the best I’ve tasted in a quite a while. One bite and you will see that their chocolate is a world apart from your average supermarket chocolate bar. At £6.95 for a 150g bar it is quite indulgent but you are paying for quality chocolate –  just keep it out of the way of the children and enjoy every piece!

Rock Rose Premium Scottish Gin

alcoholic drinks, Birthday Gifts, Christmas, Drinks and Mixers, Father's Day, Food & Drink, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Gifts for teachers, Mother's Day, secret santa, Stocking Fillers, Valentine's Day Gifts, Winter, Women

Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.

Gin – everybody loves it, young, old, and everyone in between. And why wouldn’t they? It’s versatile, sophisticated, and downright delicious. Whether you’re indulging yourself or trying to please that hard to buy for friend or relative, you simply can’t go wrong with a bottle of gin.

As Christmas draws near, there’s no better time to embrace the magic of a fine Scottish gin and Rock Rose Premium Scottish Gin from Dunnet Bay Distillers is a great choice for both drinking and gifting this festive season. This isn’t some run-of-the-mill, slap-a-fancy-label-on-it gin – far from it. This gin has been lovingly crafted with incredible precision. Founders Martin and Claire put their hearts (and a whopping 55 attempts!) into perfecting the recipe before landing on the final version in 2014. What they’ve bottled is a true taste of Caithness, the rugged, windswept corner of Scotland where the air is wild, the sea roars, and the local botanicals seem destined to be turned into something extraordinary.

And speaking of the bottle, what a stunner. A beautiful stoneware masterpiece that screams, “I’m worth every penny.” It’s the sort of thing you’d happily display on a shelf for all your guests to admire even when empty!

Now let’s get onto the important stuff – the taste. When I taste a gin for the first time, I always go back to basics, no fancy mixers, just a light, unflavoured tonic to let the gin do the talking. And let me tell you, Rock Rose does not disappoint. The juniper hits you first, bold and unapologetic, but it’s quickly followed by this floral-fruity warmth that’s just what you need on these cold winter evenings.  And once I’d finished my classic G&T it was time for cocktails! Whether you’re whipping up a posh martini or something festive with berries, Rock Rose adds that perfect touch of warmth and flavour to keep you glowing all night long.

At 41.5% ABV and around £36 a bottle, it’s a luxury worth every penny. So, if you want to be the queen (or king) of Christmas gifting this year give a bottle Rock Rose Gin. I’d be thrilled to find one under the tree and so will your lucky recipient. Cheers!

Caffe Nero’s Festive Menu 2024

Christmas, coffee, Family Life, Food & Drink, Home, Restaurant, snacks

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

Whether you’re at work and wanting to grab something different for the time of year, or out shopping at the weekend and need a break, Caffe Nero have a new menu for Christmas 2024 that includes sandwiches, cakes and drinks that we can all enjoy.  We were sent off (happily) for a working lunch to find a few of Caffe Nero’s yummy delights!  

All of the items we tested are on Caffe Nero’s Festive Menu. We started with the Pigs Under Blankets Panini and the New Italian Festive Porchetta Focaccia.  Both sandwiches are best when heated up, which the Caffe Nero staff are happy to do as they make your hot drink.  We liked the Pigs Under Blankets for the festive sausages, bacon and added onion relish and when it’s hot, it’s especially nice!  The Italian Porchetta Focaccia has not just the porchetta ham but mozzarella and pesto.  This sandwich is sweeter than the Pigs Under Blankets and you can taste the pesto and mozzarella most with the ham and the sweetness of the focaccia bread being second.

We then tried one of the delicious Caffe Nero Classic Mince Pie. Made with shortbread pastry and filled with raisins, currents, sultanas and mixed peel with spices, this was a very sweet mince pie which can be eaten hot or cold. I chose to have it cold with my hot panini sandwich but you could add cream or ice cream to this easily.  The mince pie is really sweet, and has a lot of filling and really light pastry to it too. We would have tried a few drinks that day but the coffee machine was broken, but seeing as we still had a lot to try, we went back another day!

Next day we tried the Festive Feast Panini with bacon, chicken, cranberry & apricot stuffing and cranberry sauce in a sourdough panini.  This panini was also heated up and tasted of sweet cranberry and chicken with a herb-tasting panini. The New Brie, Bacon & Cranberry Panini was also warmed which allowed the Brie to melt all over again and give the counter-taste to the bacon and cranberry. We also got a cake today, a delicious New Black Forest Chouxnut. If you’re not familiar with a chouxnut, it’s a ring doughnut made with choux pastry which is filled with a Black Forest cream and topped with cherry ganache. The filling is incredibly sweet and the topping makes it very decadent – great for work or a treat and even better if you can share it with someone!

We also tried the New Tiramisu Latte.  This latte has a tiramisu syrup flavouring and dusting of chocolate powder, and even has a sponge finger added on top to give it more of the tiramisu dessert flavour! We liked this for the heartiness of the latte and the added tiramisu coffee and chocolate flavouring which made it feel extra Christmassy.

We loved the variety of the sandwiches, cakes and drinks, and there were so many to choose from that we couldn’t try them all. They’re full of flavour and have lots of Christmas spirit to them. All of the Caffe Nero Festive Menu is available to view online (we made our choices before we even left the office!) and are all in store from now on. Vegan and Vegetarian options also available.

https://www.caffenero.com/uk/menu/festive

Vinca’s Wine Tasting Cracker

alcoholic drinks, Christmas, Drinks and Mixers, Food & Drink, Gifts for Her, Gifts for teachers, secret santa, Stocking Fillers, Women

Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.

Let’s talk about Christmas crackers, they’re such a big part of the festive season – the bang when you pull them, the silly paper hat, the classic dad joke… but now, there’s a fabulous grown-up twist on the traditional cracker – the Vinca Wine Tasting Cracker!

Inside each cracker, you’ll find not one, not two, but three mini cans of Sicilian wine: a pale rosé, a crisp white, and a smooth red. Talk about elevating your cracker game! These crackers are made from sturdy card with beautifully folded ends to give that iconic cracker shape. They’re finished with two hand-tied black ribbons and they’ll look very impressive on the table on Christmas day.

Christmas is all about eating, drinking, and being merry and these crackers have it all covered. Let’s be honest, a can of wine beats a fortune-telling fish or a mini screwdriver any day. Plus, you’re doing your bit for the planet too, with no plastic tat inside so it’s a win-win all round.

Not only do they look great on your Christmas table, but they also take care of the first round of drinks. Less stress for the host and more fun for everyone—what’s not to love?

The crackers cost £15 and are available from Vinca or John Lewis

Mariage Frères Noel Royal Tea

Birthday Gifts, Christmas, Food & Drink, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Gifts for teachers, Home, Stocking Fillers

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

If you’re looking for a gift for the tea lover this Christmas, the Mariage Frères Noel Royal Tea is a safe bet.  This loose tea comes in its own gorgeous, air tight tin which can be used again but the Christmassy red packaging is perfect for the Christmas Lunch table, in a stocking or even just on its own.

Mariage Frères Noel Royal Tea is a black tea with fruit pieces added to give a more fragrant, fruity flavour.  Consumed without milk but left to brew for 5 minutes (I use a loose tea strainer) it takes approximately 2.5 grams of tea to make a cup. As the tin contains 80 grams in all, that’s 32 cups of tea that can be made from just one tin! One for every day of advent or suitable for the whole family throughout the Christmas period.

The aroma of the tea when you open the packet is overwhelmingly fruity, with its sweet tones and fresh black tea fragrance underneath. It takes all of the 5 minutes to brew the tea as it’s slightly weak with only a minute or two, and I found that even after 5 minutes it didn’t become too strong so I could recommend making a pot of tea with Noel Royal.  

At £28 a tin it’s for the tea connoisseurs and lovers of fragrant teas but makes a great gift for Gran or as part of a hamper at Christmas time.  Noel Royal is part of the Royal Fairy range by Mariage Frères this Christmas which can be found on their website: https://www.mariagefreres.com/en/tea/tea-collections/royal-fairy-teas.html

Available from £28 at:

https://www.mariagefreres.com/en/noel-royal-te9226-other-tea-jars.html

Italicus Rosolio Di Bergamotto and Savoia Vino

alcoholic drinks, Birthday Gifts, Christmas, Drinks and Mixers, Father's Day, Food & Drink, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, secret santa, Stocking Fillers, Valentine's Day Gifts, Vegan, Winter, Women

Disclaimer: We received these products free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.

If you’re looking to bring a touch of Italian elegance to your Christmas celebrations this year, then the charming tradition of Italian aperitivo is just the thing. This pre-dinner ritual not only awakens the palate and sets the stage for a delicious meal but also encourages guests to relax and socialise. At Christmas, aperitivo comes into its own, picture your friends and family gathered before dinner, sipping on sparkling cocktails whilst chatting and snacking. It’s easy, elegant and brimming with the festive buzz we all love.

But Aperitivo is more than just a drink, it’s a great gift too as it generally comes in bottles so stunning you’ll barely need to wrap them. A simple gift tag and a contrasting bow are all it takes to create a show stopping present. They’re the perfect choice for anyone who loves a bit of sophistication and let’s be honest, the brightly coloured bottles look great in a drinks cabinet or on a kitchen shelf. Pair one with some cocktail glasses, a cocktail shaker or some gourmet nibbles and you’ve got a great Christmas gift.

ITALICUS Rosolio di Bergamotto has been created by Giuseppe Gallo and is inspired by the amazing flavours of his Amalfi Coast childhood. This aromatic liqueur delivers a perfectly balanced taste of Italy, with refreshingly bright citrus flavours from bergamot, a fruit best described as a cross between a sour orange and a lemon.

Grown, harvested, and distilled in Turin, ITALICUS features notes of ripe bergamot orange, light bitterness, and subtle floral spices. The bottle itself is a work of art with the design inspired by Italy’s architectural heritage and resembling the columns of ancient Rome. The marbled black and white stopper taking inspiration from Northern Italy’s gothic cathedrals. The aquamarine hue? It’s a clever trick of yellow liquid in blue glass, evoking the sparkling tones of the Amalfi Coast.

Drink it with Prosecco or Champagne for a ITALICUS Spritz and garnish with green olives for a touch of saltiness. Or shake things up with the ITALICUS Cup, blending tonic and grapefruit soda for a zesty twist on a classic Margarita.

RRP £31.75 available from The Whisky Exchange

Savoia is a certified vegan vino aperitivo that boasts a complex blend of 24 botanicals, including bitter orange, gentian root, pink grapefruit, and warming winter spices like cardamom and ginger. It is available in two flavours, Rosso and Orancio.  

Savoia Rosso, includes a touch of Marsala wine while Savoia Orancio channels the exotic flavours of saffron and pomegranate, drawing from Marco Polo’s Silk Road adventures. Both are ideal for classic cocktails like a Negroni, Spritz, or Garibaldi, or why not try inventing a few of your own? You can find a selection of recipes on their website, casa-savoia.com.

Like the Italicus Rosolio Di Bergamotto the design of the Savoia bottles pays homage to Italy’s royal heritage, with nods to Turin, the first capital of unified Italy. The wooden stopper evokes the Mole Antonelliana building, and the horizontal infinity symbol represents the countless ways Savoia can be enjoyed. With an ABV of 18.6%, the Rosso’s design even marks 1861, the year of Italian unification.

RRP £20 Available from Italspirits

These bottles make great Christmas gifts, whether it’s for the cocktail enthusiast ready to shake things up on Christmas Day or for Granny looking to try something a bit different. Either way, they are sure to be a festive hit!

Christmas at The Ivy Market Grill

Christmas, Days Out, Family Life, Food & Drink, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Restaurant, Winter

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

There’s nowhere better than The Ivy this Christmas to meet up with friends, celebrate with family or finish off a joyous evening at the theatre. With The Ivy’s new festive menu, you can take the work out of Christmas and dine on their sumptuous, all-Christmas menu. We visited The Ivy Market Grill at Covent Garden this week to see the Christmas lights turned on and start the celebrations with a gorgeous meal!

All venues of The Ivy throughout the country are decorated from now until New Year with an Alpine theme of snowmen, skiing and winter chalets. Here in Covent Garden, we couldn’t move for the amount of people stopping to admire the snowmen, skis and the festive trees at the front door and have their photo taken. As you enter, the restaurant is dotted with fully lit Christmas trees throughout the floor, providing a backdrop to each of your yuletide photos.

We were also privy to the luxurious private dining rooms which were set up and ready for guests that evening. There are two private dining rooms at The Ivy Market Grill in Covent Garden, one which can sit 18 on a long table or more on 3 round tables, and the other room comfortably seats 10-12. Each room had a Christmas tree and lots of candles to create the Christmas mood, with each table laid with candelabras and floral centre pieces.  A perfect setting for your department outing, or to meet up with family without the hustle and bustle of the bar and other patrons.

Upstairs, the Covent Garden level tables are split between outside dining (with appropriate heating and throws to keep warm!) or indoors with booths, tables or at the bar. The atmosphere on this Tuesday night was much like a Friday with lots of people dropping in for after work dinner and drinks.  We tried out some of the staples on the menu including this Stilton salad and then the smoked salmon and rye bread. For mains we had seabass and duck curry then ice cream with shortbread and I tried the Birthday Dessert Box – a luxurious dessert of a golden orb, vanilla ice cream, honeycomb pieces, chocolate strands and a hot caramel sauce poured over, with a taste of birthday cake and a huge amount of calories! It’s presented in a ‘box’ which reveals the dessert underneath.

This Christmas, The Ivy have a special festive menu which includes some of your favourites like The Ivy 1917 Cured Smoked Salmon like we tried above, plus some takes on the usual dishes.  There’s the Goose, Turkey and Duck Shepherd’s Pie which is a step-up from the Shepherd’s Pie you find on the menu all year round, and of course being Christmas, there’s the obligatory Turkey Ballotine with all of the Christmas trimmings.  There’s also some new cheeky extras – like the Pigs In Blankets side dish! Two courses (served until 6:30pm) are available for £55 or 3 courses (available 11:30am until close) is £60.

It’s not just the A La Carte menu that’s been updated but this year, you will be able to sample the Boxing Day Brunch with The Ivy, complete with a Bloody Mary and brunch served all day. 

The Ivy is open on Christmas Eve all day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day as well where there’s a great 3-course menu for £87.50 per person. For dinner on the 2nd quarter of the 21st century, you can sample all of the delights of The Ivy without any of the leftovers!

Finish off your meal at any of The Ivy’s bars. We were treated to the Nyetimber Classic Cuvee and there are some delicious Christmas-inspired cocktails to try including the Christmas Mojito, Fig Leaf & Pear Negroni and Ginger & Honey Margarita.

 I cannot wait to go back to The Ivy later this month when I meet up with friends for our annual Christmas dinner.  We love the food, and the service is always so special plus the atmosphere at this time of year is exactly as you dream it should be – Alpine Christmas all the way.

A La Carte Festive menu is available now until New Year: https://ivycollection.com/christmas/

Gift Cards are available for The Ivy here: https://gifts.ivycollection.com

NOMO Ultimate Choco Advent Calendar

advent calendar, Children, chocolate, Christmas, Family Life, Gifts for children, Home, Vegan, Vegetarian

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

All kids, whether they can eat dairy, nuts or eggs, will love the NOMO Chocolate Advent Calendar! That’s because NOMO make chocolate with none of those ingredients to create a vegan chocolate that’s also pal oil free and gluten free.  What’s not to like?

The NOMO Advent Calendar is filled with 24 days’ worth of NOMO chocolate drops in Creamy Choc flavour, which to you and me is the equivalent of “milk chocolate’ except as these are dairy-free, there is no milk involved!  The choc drops are each 3.3 grams in weight and have the same soft texture of the milk chocolate you buy in shops.  It’s not gritty either and doesn’t leave an after taste like some Free From chocolates do. There isn’t anything in eating them that makes you think that it’s anything but milk chocolate, so you really don’t feel like you’re missing out.

I particularly like that the NOMO calendars are still giving 24 days’ worth of treats, as advent calendars should, but may manufactures have now gone to just 12 or even 10 days of Christmas treats. Hardly an advent calendar but at least with NOMO you can give this as a gift to children and still maintain the legitimate Christmas Advent Calendar theme.

The NOMO Creamy Choc Drops Advent Calendar is a great gift for adults or children, and even better, it’s really universal so even if you’re not sure if they can or can’t eat an ingredient, NOMO has you covered.

Available from shops and online for £6

NOMO Ultimate Choco Advent Calendar

advent calendar, Children, chocolate, Christmas, Family Life, Gifts for children, Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

You won’t miss out on Christmas advent calendars this year if you don’t or can’t eat chocolate.  The NOMO Ultimate Choco Advent Calendar is dairy free, nut free, gluten free and egg free, plus their chocolate has no palm oil!

This bumper advent calendar measures nearly 40 centimetres tall and includes 24 mini NOMO chocolate bars in flavours Mint, Creamy Choc, Caramel and Orange each of 11.8 grams. On Christmas Eve, there’s also a 38 gram Caramel bar to celebrate Christmas.

All of the NOMO chocolate flavours are gluten free, egg free, nut free and most especially, dairy free. They contain sugar, rice flour and cocoa butter but no palm oil, which also lends the whole chocolate company to being Rainforest Alliance Certified.

The NOMO Ultimate Choco Advent lends itself to adults as well as children, with the variety of flavours and at just £12 for the whole 24-day calendar, it’s a great gift too!

Available from shops and online for £12 at: https://nomochoc.com/products/ultimate-advent-calendar

Caffè Nero Advent Calendar

advent calendar, Christmas, coffee, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

Caffè Nero have sent us their first ever advent calendar, complete with 24 days of Nespresso capsules to try their range of delicious coffee.

The advent windows reveal 6 different flavoured coffees; Classico, Siena, Napoletano, Brazil, Colombia and Classico Decafinated.  Each flavour is a different strength from 6-9 and the details of the origins of each coffee as well as their strengths is detailed on the back. Siena is their brand new blend, made with 100% Aribica beans and is exclusively available through Caffè Nero’s at-home range.  There’s even the popular Classico but a decaffeinated version for anyone who wants to enjoy their coffee this December, a bit more guilt-free!

The advent calendar is obviously aimed at adults but I don’t see why coffee-loving teenagers wouldn’t like this. The front of the calendar is really attractive with the Caffè Nero branch in Covent Garden, London illustrated. Where many companies are now only doing the 12 Days of Christmas, it’s refreshing to have a full 24 days.  If you own a Nespresso coffee machine and don’t want to splash out on a whole new range of flavours in case you don’t like them, then the Caffè Nero Advent Calendar is a fabulous way of trying new flavours without the expense. It makes for a great gift as well, especially for those who are so difficult to buy for!

Available from £17.99 at: https://onlineshop.caffenero.com/gift-ideas/coffee-advent-calendar/

Clean Co Alcohol Free Gin

Birthday Gifts, Christmas, Drinks and Mixers, Food & Drink, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Gifts for teachers, Vegan, Vegetarian

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

The original is still the greatest and the Clean G Alcohol Free Spirit (otherwise known as the non-alcoholic gin) is still up there as the standard for 0% gins.

The first zero alcohol spirit in the Clean Co drinks cabinet (they also have alcohol free pink gin, rum and whiskey among others), Clean G is made without the distilling that creates the alcohol, therefore giving it the gin taste but without the fumes!  It also means that Clean G is lower in calories, sugar free and available to be added to cocktails just as easily as the alcohol version.

Does it taste like gin though?  Without mentioning that a bottle of Clean G had been sent to me, friends commented on how the Clean Co product was just as tasty as gin and sin-free too so makes for a perfect tipple on a school night or when out at lunch with work.  It’s award winning too, not just for taste but for how easily it substitutes the alcoholic version in G&Ts or mixing into cocktails. It’s made in the UK and vegan friendly too and contains less than 6 calories per double shot. All-natural flavourings and no artificial sweeteners, this is perfect for Christmas either as a gift to anyone, or for drinking and not worrying about the hangover afterwards.

If you haven’t heard of the Clean Co range of drinks, you’re certain to over Christmas and into 2025 as they gain notoriety for being so versatile and much friendlier than spirits.  So many people are switching to Clean G and even pubs and restaurants are making non-alcoholic cocktails with Clean G products that it’s becoming the fashion now to drink and not be drinking alcohol.

Available in shops and online from £16:

Clean G

The Beirut Box Luxury Food Hamper from Lebnani

Christmas, Family Life, Food & Drink, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Gifts for teachers, Home

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

Foodies will love this selection of Lebanese food in the Lebani Beirut Box!  The mix of different ingredients make a welcome change to the Christmas puddings, mince pies and jars of tea that are so common and instead, inspire you to cook different foods based on Lebanese recipes.

Inside the Beirut Box you’ll find:

  • Jar of Lebnani Sumac
  • Jar of Lebnani Zaatar spice mix
  • 250ml Bottle of Zet Zeytoun Lebanese Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 250ml Bottle of Chtoura Pomegranate Molasses
  • Jar of Mrabba fig jam with roasted sesame seeds
  • Jar of pickled wild cucumbers
  • Pistachio Backlawa 
  • Recipe card from Chef Jad Youssef
  • 250ml bottle of Chtaura Orange Blossom Water 

All of the ingredients keep in the cupboard for ages, but you’ll find the recipe card has a mixture of included ingredients and some fresh that you’ll need to buy.  You can of course, use the ingredients however you wish!

The Sumac and Zaatar spices are particularly good to experiment with as they’re not found in supermarkets easily. Sumac has a slightly tangy flavour and is used in meat dishes and hummus but can also be added to salads and other savoury dishes. Zaatar is a mix of spices, including sumac and is used in dishes such as roast chicken or as a seasoning for baked sweet potato or salads.

Most of the Lebanese recipes which include the spices and seasonings also include the Zet Zeytoun Lebanese Extra Virgin Olive Oil. These olives are picked from the Lebanese mountains by hand it is known to be rich in texture and buttery, with a cut-grass-like aroma. I am particularly partial to the Mrabba fig jam too. Figs are not only my favourite fruit but fig jam is great with any scone or on toast and can be added to recipes such as brownies or cookies to give both texture and sweetness. I didn’t realise that Lebanese fig jam is in another league though! The Mrabba fig is not the garden fig variety we have in the UK so this was a pleasant surprise to find how fruity and sweet it was.  

Chtoura Pomegranate Molasses is used in Mediterranean cuisine to add fruitiness to savoury dishes, much like sumac and zaatar.  There’s a running theme in this box that the ingredients add not just some sweetness to recipes but a real flavour of the Mediterranean to everyday cooking.  Pomegranate molasses is no exception and with the sweetness of the sauce, you get a great mixture of flavours to add to any humble dish like a salad, which is also one of the recipes included in the recipe card from Chef Jad Youssef – the Tatbila Salad including onions, tomatoes sumac and the pomegranate molasses. 

The picked wild cucumbers are suspiciously like the gherkins we have in UK supermarkets but these are smaller and no less tasty! Adding zing to your salad or as a side dish they’re deliciously juicy.  The Orange Blossom Water from Chtaura was a surprise which I didn’t know what to do with. Its water distilled with orange blossom petals to give another sweet addition to many dishes, both savoury and sweet. I think this one would be perfect for adding to sweet desserts instead of a sugary essence like vanilla or making a custard a little bit more exciting.

Finally, the last and most delicious piece in the Beirut Box is the Pistachio Backlawa. I’m not normally a fan of backlawa but this was an education thanks to the 3 pieces included in the food box! The cake-like sweets are dense and sweet with layers and layers of flakey pastry filled with the pistachio sweet filling. There’s no nutty flavour to it but a slight texture and oh my goodness – it was delicious! I’m sure other backlawa I’ve tried before isn’t this satisfying but I really felt like this was a wholesome, filling treat in the afternoon with a cup of coffee and is a dessert or treat which brings about joy!  The box alone is worth it just for the backlawa and I could easily have eaten all 3 pieces in one go. (don’t worry, I didn’t!)

Anyone with an interest in Lebanese or Mediterranean cuisine will love this box. If you’re a food lover and want to experiment with different flavours and textures, then this is a great introduction and the recipe card is a great way of getting involved and trying out some of their ideas.  The mixture of ingredients also ensures that you’re covered for both savoury and sweet meals and the spices, olive oil and orange blossom water especially will last a long time.

It’s been great fun trying out the ingredients and thinking about different ways to use them!

Available online for £38 plus delivery of £6.95 per hamper at: https://lebnani.co.uk/eventsbookings/the-beirut-box

Afternoon Tea at The Imperial Hotel, Blackpool

Birthday Gifts, Christmas, Days Out, Food & Drink, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Mother's Day, Restaurant, Valentine's Day Gifts, Women

Disclaimer: We received the afternoon tea free of charge for this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.

Opened in 1867, The Imperial Hotel in Blackpool is a charming Victorian establishment steeped in history, having hosted notable guests such as Charles Dickens, Winston Churchill, Queen Elizabeth, Princess Anne, and even the Beatles. This grand hotel, with its impressive entrance, sits proudly along the seafront, a true reminder of Blackpool’s Victorian heyday when visitors flocked to enjoy the therapeutic seawater and Turkish baths.

The moment you step into the Imperial Hotel’s magnificent foyer, you are transported away from the bustle of daily life. The wood panelling and grand staircase set a refined atmosphere, promising an experience of timeless elegance.

We enjoyed afternoon tea in the Palm Court Restaurant, where the restaurant manager warmly welcomed us and led us to a table with a stunning view of the sea. After introducing us to the menu, he brought us each a glass of prosecco and a pot of tea. Once the tea had brewed, a classic three-tier cake stand appeared alongside a savoury plate featuring a small cup of delicious soup, a mini tomato and mozzarella quiche with beautifully crisp pastry and a homemade sausage roll with cranberries and thyme, served warm with wonderfully flaky puff pastry which was absolutely delicious.

The bottom tier of the cake stand was arranged with a selection of finger sandwiches on white and brown bread, with fillings of maple-cured ham with grain mustard, egg mayonnaise with watercress, mature cheddar with spring onion and roast turkey with smoked bacon, red onion, and mayonnaise. The sandwiches, served on soft, fresh bread, were full of flavour and very tasty. They weren’t sparing with the fillings either, which always gets a tick in my book.

The middle tier presented freshly baked scones with an array of accompaniments -clotted cream and strawberry jam for the cherry scones, and onion jam and chive butter for the Lancashire cheese scone. This savoury twist was a welcome change, particularly enjoyed by my husband, who doesn’t have a sweet tooth and really enjoyed his cheese scone. The scones were excellent with the perfect mix of crisp outer shell and soft (but not dense) centre.

On the top tier, a beautifully arranged selection of bite-sized pastries and cakes awaited. We were treated to a lemon Madeira drizzle with raspberry gel, a banoffee tart garnished with crisp banana and chocolate shavings, a mixed berry mess topped with mini meringue, and a mini-Eccles cake with candied orange. Each was delightful, with the Eccles cake emerging as our favourite.

By the time we had sampled all three tiers, we were pleasantly full and content to linger and soak in the elegant surroundings. And, for those who can’t quite finish, the hotel thoughtfully offers to box up any remaining treats for you to enjoy later.

We really enjoyed our afternoon tea at The imperial Hotel and being in such lovely surroundings made this afternoon tea experience that little bit more special.

With Blackpool Illuminations in full swing, now is the perfect time to experience this iconic seaside resort. Treat yourself to a delightful afternoon tea, then stroll through the world-famous Illuminations – you won’t be disappointed! To add a festive touch, a Christmas-themed afternoon tea will be available starting November 25th. Or, make a weekend of it by booking a stay in one of The Imperial Hotel’s charming rooms.

Afternoon Tea is served daily from 14:00 – 16:30 and costs £20.50 for adults and £12.00 for children. If you are in the mood for something fizzy then a glass of prosecco can be added for an additional £5.00 per head.

That Boutique-y Gin Company Advent Calendar

advent calendar, alcoholic drinks, Birthday Gifts, Christmas, Drinks and Mixers, Food & Drink, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Winter

Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.

For adults, advent calendars have taken on a whole new twist, and this year’s countdown to Christmas promises to be both sophisticated and delicious with That Boutique-y Gin Company Advent Calendar. It’s the ultimate treat for any gin enthusiast, turning each day of December into a journey of unique flavours and botanicals.

With 24 wax-sealed 30ml miniatures, each one distinct and some even holiday-themed (Christmas Pudding gin, anyone?), this calendar lets you savour a different gin every day. For the seasoned gin lover, it’s a fantastic chance to explore bold new flavors and perhaps uncover a new favourite along the way – scan the QR code and vote for your favourite!

The lineup is impressive, and a few sound especially exciting including Chocolate Orange Gin, Toasted Marshmallow Hot Chocolate Gin, and Spit-Roasted Pineapple Gin. Whether you’re a connoisseur or just beginning to explore the world of gin, this calendar offers a festive array of smooth, spiced, citrusy, and Christmas-inspired gins. Many of these are hard to find in stores, adding a welcome element of surprise to each day’s tasting. Picture yourself winding down each evening with a “GINgle All The Way” in hand -now that’s the Christmas spirit!

Whether given as a gift or kept as a special treat for yourself, this gin advent calendar is a fun and exciting way to countdown to Christmas. Each day feels like a little celebration, and by Christmas Eve, you’ll have experienced a tour of the gin world from the comfort of your own home.

RRP £ 64.95

Capri Sun Limited Edition Halloween Packs

Autumn, Children, Drinks and Mixers, Family Life, Food & Drink, Halloween, Lunchbox Fillers, Vegan

Disclaimer: we received these products free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.

With Halloween just around the corner, the shops are packed with an amazing assortment of spooky-themed goodies. In addition to the classic pumpkins, there’s a fantastic range of Halloween-inspired food and drinks which are perfect for Halloween parties. Our little witches and ghouls have been sampling some of these frightfully delicious treats, and the limited edition Halloween packs from Capri Sun have been a big hit this week. Each 200ml pouch showcases a fun, spooky character, and if you’re lucky enough to find a box that contains the golden ghost, you could win £1000!

RRP: £5 for 15, £3.25 for 8 available from all major UK grocery retailers including Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Tesco, Asda and Morrisons

Wickedly Welsh Chocolate Standard Gift Hamper

Birthday Gifts, Children, chocolate, Christmas, Family Life, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Gifts for teachers, Stocking Fillers, Winter

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

Chocolate lovers are easy to buy for at Christmas but if you’re a real chocoholic, you’ll know that just any old chocolate won’t do.  It has to be good quality and taste like chocolate.  The Wickedly Welsh Gift Hamper (standard) makes a perfect gift for anyone but if you love chocolate, this is a real treat!

The quality of the chocolate is first to note. It’s handmade so there’s a lot of love and care that goes into it but with anything that’s handmade, it means that someone has had to physically deliberate over the goods and make sure that they’re of the highest quality.

The ingredients are often more authentic as well, and Wickedly Welsh products are no exception with locally sauced elements to mix the chocolate and flavours to be the best they can.

The Wickedly Welsh Chocolate Gift Hamper is bursting with different chocolates, all of which are sold separately too. There’s three bars of chocolate (Milk Chocolate, Orange & Honeycomb and Welsh Sea Salt & Caramel), two hot chocolate mixes (each sachet makes 2 mugs of hot chocolate), a box of 6 handmade chocolates of different flavours and a bar of milk and dark chocolate from the Wickedly Welsh Love Spoons range.  The whole gift is presented in a letterbox-sized box with window so you can post this or package it up easily as a gift.

My first call was the chocolates which are so moreish and easy to eat! I like to have a chocolate pick-me-up in the afternoon and one or two of these chocolates is ideal.  I don’t know if different boxes contain different flavours but these 6 were Citrus Burst, Raspberry & Vodka, Spiced Praline, Gingerbread, Dark Praline and Mocca Coffee. A lovely assortment and the chocolate alone is delicious!  Secondly, I tried the hot chocolate.  Heating a mugful of milk and adding the chocolate flakes to melt into the milk, this gave a delicious, smooth hot chocolate and the chocolate hit without too much sugar. 

The bars of chocolate were a treat for watching TV or sometimes I just have a small piece in the afternoon. The Milk Chocolate is a favourite with the whole family but the Orange & Honeycomb and Welsh Sea Salt & Caramel are best sellers at Wickedly Welsh and you can tell why. The Orange & Honeycomb is a flavour that’s not widely available with other retailers so you can tell that adults in particular love this. I know I did! The Welsh Sea Salt & Caramel is also a flavour which I would buy, given the chance to look around a chocolate shop on a rainy afternoon so this is especially good. The final Love Spoon Milk and Dark Chocolate bar is an intertwining bar based on the famous Welsh Love Spoons, so it would make sense to give this to your loved one. However, the chocolate is very indulgent and a perfect snack, so I wouldn’t blame you if you kept it for yourself!

This is a brilliant gift not just for Christmas but for anyone at any time and especially chocolate lovers.  There’s something for everyone and the whole family can enjoy the handmade excellence of Welsh chocolate.

Available online from £26.99:

Original Standard Gift Hamper