Surrey Street, Sheffield
Nice enough looking from the outside but it's a whole different ball game once you're inside!
Ridiculously overpriced with a price hike of just over £1(per item!) for the experience of staying in with your beverage or food. And...let's be honest the quality isn't that good either!
The 'luxury' hot chocolate was anything but...it's not often we leave hot chocolate but...it was that bad! and the coffee...we raen't even sure there was enough caffiene/coffee in it to call it a cup of coffee. We might sound fussy or hard to please but when you're paying for something which is apparently quality you have the right to expect something consumable. Right?
And the service was poor as well. We thought it might be busy because of the weather (it was snowing outside) but it wasn't and it's clear to see why if many others have visited this place. The waitress spilt the coffee and might as well have done the same with the hot chocolates.
You may wish to try it, if you don't mind poor service and extortionate prices but we'd recommend that you walk just a little further down the street and spend your money in The Graduate on a drink and dessert (or a full meal for the same price as one hot chocolate!)
RM
Sunday, 5 February 2012
Tuesday, 17 January 2012
The Monk has a new menu?!
As we've been sitting here updating the blog the bar staff have brought out some A3 sheets...turns out The Old Monk has a new menu (and new, slightly higher prices- grrrrr!)....intriguing!
Some of the new options sound rather delectable so we'll be sure to partake in a few and report back
KFS
Some of the new options sound rather delectable so we'll be sure to partake in a few and report back
KFS
St Paul's, Mecure
St Paul's Hotel, Sheffield
(by the Peace Gardens)
Ever felt like being extravagent just because you can and the opportunity is there? That was me yesterday - convinced by someone that we should leave my spot in a coffee shop chain store and play up to the posh perceptions have of us. Just for a little bit, just the two of us.
I went, I was determined to only have a drink however I was sold when in the menu I read that afternoon tea with a glass of champagne was £15.95...tempted by the champagne and the showman-ship of afternoon tea served on a tea stand I didn't take much convincing.
The tea came and was beautiful. The amounts given to us for two surprised me actually. There was four fruit scones served with butter and jam, nine finger sandwiches (three ham, tomato and mustand, three smoked salmon and three cucumber) and two almond pastries and two small cream slices. Launching straight in it was delicious - although the sandwichs had obviously been prepared a little in advance as they were slightly dry.
Overall a great time, and who can say now to a glass of champagne when you should really be revising?
Rachel
(by the Peace Gardens)
Ever felt like being extravagent just because you can and the opportunity is there? That was me yesterday - convinced by someone that we should leave my spot in a coffee shop chain store and play up to the posh perceptions have of us. Just for a little bit, just the two of us.
I went, I was determined to only have a drink however I was sold when in the menu I read that afternoon tea with a glass of champagne was £15.95...tempted by the champagne and the showman-ship of afternoon tea served on a tea stand I didn't take much convincing.
The tea came and was beautiful. The amounts given to us for two surprised me actually. There was four fruit scones served with butter and jam, nine finger sandwiches (three ham, tomato and mustand, three smoked salmon and three cucumber) and two almond pastries and two small cream slices. Launching straight in it was delicious - although the sandwichs had obviously been prepared a little in advance as they were slightly dry.
Overall a great time, and who can say now to a glass of champagne when you should really be revising?
Rachel
Frankie's and Benny's
Frankie and Benny's
Meadowhall, Sheffield
Rating: 2/5
Having handed in an assignment we thought we'd treat ourselves yet again (I think we need a new excuse!). The choices were slim so we plumped for the two course lunch menu at F&Bs...wish we hadn't!
Now, we've only ever had adequate to good experiences with the chain in the past but this trip was by far the worst. The food was slow, the wait staff lazy (and two were particularly rude - never what you want over lunch) and the food was below par. The starters came cold - certainly not the way they were intended to be served and the mains...mine was salty, luke warm and greasy. Definitely not the way I like to appreciate pasta. And Stacey was served a burnt, under filled, sorry looking calzone that was so salty that she gave up half way through. Furthermore, the meat must has walked through the field of mushrooms within it on sticks as there was hardly any!
As if the bad food wasn't enough on a closer look the restaurant could have done with a good clean. Add to this the fact that our chairs and table vibrate gently throughout the meal it's easy to say we didn't enjoy the experience.
Not one we will be repeating anytime soon!
Rachel&Stacey
Meadowhall, Sheffield
Rating: 2/5
Having handed in an assignment we thought we'd treat ourselves yet again (I think we need a new excuse!). The choices were slim so we plumped for the two course lunch menu at F&Bs...wish we hadn't!
Now, we've only ever had adequate to good experiences with the chain in the past but this trip was by far the worst. The food was slow, the wait staff lazy (and two were particularly rude - never what you want over lunch) and the food was below par. The starters came cold - certainly not the way they were intended to be served and the mains...mine was salty, luke warm and greasy. Definitely not the way I like to appreciate pasta. And Stacey was served a burnt, under filled, sorry looking calzone that was so salty that she gave up half way through. Furthermore, the meat must has walked through the field of mushrooms within it on sticks as there was hardly any!
As if the bad food wasn't enough on a closer look the restaurant could have done with a good clean. Add to this the fact that our chairs and table vibrate gently throughout the meal it's easy to say we didn't enjoy the experience.
Not one we will be repeating anytime soon!
Rachel&Stacey
Saturday, 31 December 2011
Review: Chocolate Cake!
Now who doesn't love chocolate cake? Especially one like this, one filled with chocolate buttercream and topped with a set chocolate fudge icing and white chocolate stars! (please excuse the sloppy presentation, this was just as it was finished!
The recipe is as follows:
Sadly, the original source is unknown, I shamelessly stole it from the mother of one of my housemates in my second year at university.
Once baked the cake is deliciously rich and moist, truely fabulous served hot or cold and with or without an accompanient (cool double cream or fresh custard are best though if you must serve something alongside it).
The sugar content is high but....what's life without a few slices of calorie laden cake to treat yourself now and then? It can also be adjusted, the recipe was successfully whipped up using 6oz of caster sugar (a weight equal to that of the marg and flour) however the result just wasn't the same!
The fudge icing sets hard quite quickly too so be sure to only make it once the cake is ready to be iced and keep it warm until its on the cake!
With a cake like this there is no need for fancy decorations and extra flavours, the cake speaks for itself and will be warmly received by almost everyone! Although, we'd suggest that you warn people who make be diabetic...and keep it away from children (and adults alike) who are at risk of extreme hyperactivity from an increased sugar intake.
There isn't much more which can be said, other than a plea for any readers to try the cake for themselves! (and don't forget to leave us a comment letting us know what you thought!)
KFS
The recipe is as follows:
6oz margarine
10oz caster sugar
2 eggs
6oz plain flour
¼ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
2oz cocoa
8 fl oz water
Beat margarine and caster sugar together then add the eggs
Mix the flour, baking powder, salt and bicarbonate of soda together in a separate bowl then gradually add to the mixture
Beat the cocoa and water together in a jug then add to the mixture
Cook for 30-40mins (single cake) or approximately 15-20 minutes for smaller cakes/muffins
Fudge icing
1oz butter or margarine
1 tablespoon cocoa
Enough icing sugar to give an icing with a good consistency
Melt the butter with a little milk and the cocoa powder
Add icing sugar to mix until it forms an icing with a good consistency
Apply directly to the cake/s before it sets
Sadly, the original source is unknown, I shamelessly stole it from the mother of one of my housemates in my second year at university.
Once baked the cake is deliciously rich and moist, truely fabulous served hot or cold and with or without an accompanient (cool double cream or fresh custard are best though if you must serve something alongside it).
The sugar content is high but....what's life without a few slices of calorie laden cake to treat yourself now and then? It can also be adjusted, the recipe was successfully whipped up using 6oz of caster sugar (a weight equal to that of the marg and flour) however the result just wasn't the same!
The fudge icing sets hard quite quickly too so be sure to only make it once the cake is ready to be iced and keep it warm until its on the cake!
With a cake like this there is no need for fancy decorations and extra flavours, the cake speaks for itself and will be warmly received by almost everyone! Although, we'd suggest that you warn people who make be diabetic...and keep it away from children (and adults alike) who are at risk of extreme hyperactivity from an increased sugar intake.
There isn't much more which can be said, other than a plea for any readers to try the cake for themselves! (and don't forget to leave us a comment letting us know what you thought!)
KFS
Review: Lemon Drizzle cake (Tana Ramsey)
Lemon Drizzle CakeRecipe by: Tana Ramsey
Source: BBC Good Food, December 2007 (available online)
Not the quickest of recipes - cooked in a loaf tin this cake can take up to 50minutes to bake (not including the prep time), but it is worth it! With it's crisp, sharp sugar topping and its deep lemon flavour it's proving hard to find a finer recipe (and we have been trying!).
At first we were skeptical due to it's lack of lemon juice, the recipe calls for the zest of a single lemon, and our experience with so many other lemon cake recipes. We thought that maybe the lemon flavour wouldn't be clear enough but we needn't have worried. A fine sponge with a light but distinctive flavour this recipe has been a clear favourite in the KFS kitchen since it was unearthed online back in October.
The suggested topping is just caster sugar a lemon juice giving the top of the cake a clear icing with a crunch to it - a great juxtaposition to the soft texture of the cake itself. And the lemon is a clear flavour just isn't so strong as to be offensive, the prefect balance along side a good cup of tea (or a cheeky glass of wine with the KFS team!)
If you're out for a simple cake that will impress this could lead you to a winner. It can be as simple (a loaf cake with the topping, perfect for tea) or as show-stopping as you like (the best yet has been a round sandwich cake filled with a buttercream which had been marbled with lemon curd [unbeknown to those seeing it for the first time] and flat iced, decorated with crystallised lemon slices ) depending on how much time you have to hand.
Rachel
Overall, a great cake and well worth the time investment. Moreish and fresh what's not to like!
Source: BBC Good Food, December 2007 (available online)
Not the quickest of recipes - cooked in a loaf tin this cake can take up to 50minutes to bake (not including the prep time), but it is worth it! With it's crisp, sharp sugar topping and its deep lemon flavour it's proving hard to find a finer recipe (and we have been trying!).
At first we were skeptical due to it's lack of lemon juice, the recipe calls for the zest of a single lemon, and our experience with so many other lemon cake recipes. We thought that maybe the lemon flavour wouldn't be clear enough but we needn't have worried. A fine sponge with a light but distinctive flavour this recipe has been a clear favourite in the KFS kitchen since it was unearthed online back in October.
The suggested topping is just caster sugar a lemon juice giving the top of the cake a clear icing with a crunch to it - a great juxtaposition to the soft texture of the cake itself. And the lemon is a clear flavour just isn't so strong as to be offensive, the prefect balance along side a good cup of tea (or a cheeky glass of wine with the KFS team!)
If you're out for a simple cake that will impress this could lead you to a winner. It can be as simple (a loaf cake with the topping, perfect for tea) or as show-stopping as you like (the best yet has been a round sandwich cake filled with a buttercream which had been marbled with lemon curd [unbeknown to those seeing it for the first time] and flat iced, decorated with crystallised lemon slices ) depending on how much time you have to hand.
Rachel
Overall, a great cake and well worth the time investment. Moreish and fresh what's not to like!
Wednesday, 14 December 2011
Morelli's in Harrods
Location: Morelli's Gelato, Harrods, London
Score (out of 5): 4
Like every good woman I love ice-cream. Thick, creamy, rich and not too sweet is the perfect end to a light meal or the best end to a hard worked day.
I was never a fan of sorbets and the like though. All through childhood I was encouraged to try these light, dainty desserts and palate refreshers and never took well to the narrow range of flavours on offer.
This all changed when I first went to London on my own. Harrods is well known as the grocery shop of choice for those who frequently have more money than sense...I will admit to thinking that too until I went down to the City and decided to take full advantage of having no itinerary.
Off I went, first stop Peter Jones and the rest around Sloane Square followed by the short(ish) walk down to Harrods. I'm not one for shopping but this is a store which both amazes and intrigues me. The food halls are filled with everything I used to wonder about the sale of (where exactly did x buy that exquisite cheese/meat/fish/chocolate?!) and now I know. Progressing through the food hall you meet what could have once made my food dreams come true. With sweets, a bakery, Krispy Kreme and this gelato concession all in one room I was happy!
Morelli's do servings of all sizes to treat and delight those of all ages. You can eat in or take out (my preferred choice) and the flavour range is incredible - with over 30 flavours including the traditional mango, bana, lemon and lime up to more unusual ones including coconut and tiramisu there's down to be one or two for every customer to get stuck in to. The gelato is fresh so the texture is completely differerent to the mass produced, deep frozen stuff you can pick up at even the best of retailers.
Definitely worth a visit if you're in London, and handily the tube station is right outside the store. Who can say no?!
Rachel
Score (out of 5): 4
Like every good woman I love ice-cream. Thick, creamy, rich and not too sweet is the perfect end to a light meal or the best end to a hard worked day.
I was never a fan of sorbets and the like though. All through childhood I was encouraged to try these light, dainty desserts and palate refreshers and never took well to the narrow range of flavours on offer.
This all changed when I first went to London on my own. Harrods is well known as the grocery shop of choice for those who frequently have more money than sense...I will admit to thinking that too until I went down to the City and decided to take full advantage of having no itinerary.
Off I went, first stop Peter Jones and the rest around Sloane Square followed by the short(ish) walk down to Harrods. I'm not one for shopping but this is a store which both amazes and intrigues me. The food halls are filled with everything I used to wonder about the sale of (where exactly did x buy that exquisite cheese/meat/fish/chocolate?!) and now I know. Progressing through the food hall you meet what could have once made my food dreams come true. With sweets, a bakery, Krispy Kreme and this gelato concession all in one room I was happy!
Morelli's do servings of all sizes to treat and delight those of all ages. You can eat in or take out (my preferred choice) and the flavour range is incredible - with over 30 flavours including the traditional mango, bana, lemon and lime up to more unusual ones including coconut and tiramisu there's down to be one or two for every customer to get stuck in to. The gelato is fresh so the texture is completely differerent to the mass produced, deep frozen stuff you can pick up at even the best of retailers.
Definitely worth a visit if you're in London, and handily the tube station is right outside the store. Who can say no?!
Rachel
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