by Cedric | May 3, 2018 | Food and Drink, General
I have searched high and low. Eaten this dish everywhere from Harrogate to Hiroshima. I lived in Rome for one year. Queued three hours with my dearest to eat at Gino e Sorbillo’s in Napoli. Yet with all my accumulated pizza knowledge and cholesterol, Alicia’s knocked me off my chair.
Though your Suggestor is often prone to hyperbole, he is not afraid to admit this was the best pizza he has tried in England. I hoped you enjoyed that bout of third person pontification. I seldom have the courage to conduct myself so conceitedly. Alicia’s Micro Bakehouse has this effect on me.
Bhaskar (Beast from the East); the satanist; a delightful Indian CEO ; my grandmother and I drove fully forty minutes for this phenomenon. Let me tell you dear reader, we did not expect what followed. Below are listed the delicacies we sampled.
Margherita: Mozzarella and Italian tomatoes
Noci: Mozzarella, walnut, gorgonzola & caramelised onions
Parma: Parma ham, mozzarella & parmesan
La Spagnola: Chorizo, mozzarella & manchego cheese
Boscailo: Mozzarella, cured black forest ham, red peppers, garlic mushrooms and gorgonzola
Neapolitan style pizza is a rarity in this country. But pizza like this is nigh impossible to find. Believe me, I have tried. This dough was made from the finest 00 flour from A Di Maria. It is no coincidence we ended up here. The satanist and I bumped into a major component of Alicia’s organisation purchasing the same flour I was to consume, some days later, in the form of pizza. I reasoned if they got their flour from the same place I do, then their crusts must be as crisp as mine.
Here we were, seated on one of maybe 6 tables. Strong wooden table made of either light oak or beech. The seats were sparse yet spacious – but not specious. We had to wait a little while for the above Spagnola etc. But once they arrived they were outrageous. One need only look at a photograph to discern quality.
The Margherita pictured in the ‘featured photo’ was just as it should be. Tomato sauce; chopped (not grated) mozzarella ; some pepper if proffered. Having passed the Margherita test, I knew Alicia’s other choice pizzas would entreat me.
The above Parma really wowed B. For someone who had never tasted either Neapolitan style pizza or Parma ham, this was indeed an audacious choice. But his boldness was rewarded by a top shelf pizza.
But the pizza which really stole the show for me was the Noci. Since eating the Garlic chestnut mushrooms, smoked mozzarella, red onion jam, and rocket pizza at the Saracen’s Head, I did not think I could have eaten a better version. Yet the combination of the onions with Gorgonzola and walnuts blew all of our minds. It is pictured below. Truly a masterpiece. This right here is the best pizza I have eaten in England.
To say I suggest this restaurant is an understatement. I strongly suggest you go to Alicia’s Microbakehouse and sample their delectable pizza selection. Keeping the menu comparatively short ensures the freshest quality of ingredient. Although the A Di Maria 00 flour has run out and the Shipton Mill 00 flour has returned, I guarantee you a sterling pizza. The likes of which one can only dream about.
by Cedric | Apr 26, 2018 | Food and Drink, General, Goods and Services
Until recently, I was not coffee’s biggest fan. Even in Italy I refused to sample this unknown delicacy. Too sour for me, I like sweet things. Alas, my youth faded much too quickly and I now relish more savoury dishes.
I found myself in Genius Coffee, Carlisle one morning for work. Driving an average of 1000 miles a month had me exhausted so I stopped for coffee. I was at once mesmerised at how flavoursome and awakening this beverage is. From then I was hooked.
Stepping closer to coffee perfection was incremental for me. I received my first Bialetti from my dear friend Edoardo when I went to Rome in February. I soon realised I needed something with a greater capacity. Mother and I traded Bialettis. Now in possession of the six-cup beast, I was able to fully explore coffee varieties.
While on one of my vegetable runs in Coventry Market, Ed’s Coffee House caught my eye. A wall and table stuffed to the gunnels with stacks of coffee. Kilner jars as far as the eye could see. I was in coffee Nirvan.
Chris, manning the desk, knows everything there is to know about each of the many kinds of roast coffee beans he sells. I have thus far tried the Indian Monsoon Malabar; Olympic Blend; Cuban Serrano and Q blend. Each of which have a unique effect. The Olympic blend, as Chris will be able to relate to you in much greater detail, comes from the North East Africa, where the soil has an usually high nitrogen content. This translates into a cup of Joe which makes you feel as though you’ve been hit by a bus.
Each coffee is unique. Chris knows I use a Bialetti. He grinds my coffee beans in front of me, into the finest powdered coffee for my machine. But my grandmother has a peculator so the grind was different. Ed’s Coffee House caters for everyone’s coffee needs. They even sell their own coffee for £1 a cup.
They have changed my life. I know they will change yours too. I can say with confidence that my days are powered by Ed’s powdered coffee beans.
And the best part of it all is that they deliver. So when I leave the Warwickshire region for good, I know Ed’s Coffee House will never be far from my Bialetti.
by Cedric | Apr 23, 2018 | Food and Drink, General
What can I say about Birtelli’s? The satanist recommended it to me. He and I were in Leamington one evening on nefarious business when we were struck by pangs of debilitating hunger. What could sate our stomachs? As in most cases: pizza.
On nearby Clarendon Avenue, we found the tried and tasted haven that is Britelli’s. I had an in depth conversation with the pizzaoilo about the gluten content associated with the 00 flour he uses for the dough. Now assured about the authenticity of Chef’s recipe, I ordered my Margarita. One must always order margherita when trying out a new pizzeria. If they pass the margherita test, you can be certain everything else on the menu will either match the standard set or surpass it. You’ll be pleased to know that Birtelli’s passed the test with flying colours.
On my next visit, I ordered two pizzas. The first can be seen in this post’s ‘featured image’. The Aubrey Allen Cornish Spring Lamb pizza was, frankly, inspired. Whoever thought putting lamb on a pizza with strips of onion would work so well? It doesn’t feel right putting lamb on a pizza but for some reason it was extra delectable here.
Above is the Mackenzies Yorkshire Smokehouse chicken, with sweetcorn and Sun-blushed tomatoes. Again, I would never stoop to putting chicken on a pizza, even if the chicken is from my own home, Yorkshire. And yet, this combination was a sensation. I’ve spoken at length about how irate mozzarella grate makes me, but here it worked to boost the flavour of its fellow ingredients. The crust is thin and crunchy as it should be. The toppings are of the highest quality sourced locally in Britain.
The level of service I have received in Birtelli’s is consistently excellent. From the staff on the phone to the shop tenders and finally the delivery boy. The whole operation is highly skilled in customer service and it makes all the difference.
Next time you’re feeling peckish for a slice of pizza or six, choose Birtelli’s. Satisfaction guaranteed.
by Cedric | Apr 20, 2018 | Food and Drink, General
From whichever direction one enters Stockton proper, 12 Harland Place cannot be avoided.
Far be it from me to suggest this is a negative, quite the opposite. I had the pleasure of eating here in August. It is a convenient distance from Newcastle, where I, then, resided. With my sister’s birthday coinciding with an influx of free time – I made my way to Northumbria from Warwickshire.
The family met in this idyllic village and celebrated my sister’s 20th birthday. A momentous occasion indeed.
We started with some cheesy garlic pizza for the table. I have eaten pizza from here before so had high expectations.
This pizza generally satisfies, but this one had a little extra something which made it more delectable. Not true pizza by any means but still delicious.
I feasted on Parpadelle Pollo funghi. A grand combination of c
Next up was Mother’s goats cheese and red onion marmalade pizza. Conceptually viable but poorly executed. The pizza was over cooked and the ingredients did nothing to counteract the dryness of the crust. It was gag-worthy, but not in the pleasantly surprising way. (For all the beastly people out there, that was a reference to RuPaul’s Drag Race, nothing crass.)
My sister’s white truffle and wild mushroom risotto felt right. I would say the grains were a little under cooked. It was just short of being optimal but on the whole a delight to eat. Just the right lightness of flavour from white truffles mixed with the earthy nutty tones of organic wild mushrooms.
Finally, we moved onto dessert. Banoffee cheesecake; salted caramel cheesecake and blueberry cake. All homemade, all home runs. Excellent all round. The salted caramel cheesecake is better shared between two. It can be overwhelming in excessive quantities.
I’ve been somewhat critical of this restaurant’s cooking timing but honestly, 12 Harland Place is a delight. The staff are friendly and attentive as well as efficient. The decor is well thought through and maintained to a high standard. The location is lovely and the food is not too expensive.
My family & I had a great time, and so too shall you.
by Cedric | Apr 14, 2018 | Food and Drink, General
My grandmother made a spontaneous decision to come to Warwick with me after I drove to Yorkshire to celebrate my sister’s 20th. I felt duty bound to take her to my favourite tearooms in Warwick town: Oken Tearooms.
Built 500 years ago by Thomas Oken as his then home, this tea house stands firm. Anyone who has read this blog knows I have an unreasonable weakness for aged oak beams. Oken have them as far as the eye can see.
I wish I could show you the divine cakes found therein but my grandmother and I ate them too quickly. I can only say of the carrot cake that it was prepared to perfection. Soft but not to the point of crumbling. Cream filling rich but not past the bounds of taste. In all, a true British treat.
Quaint would be an understatement. Oken Tearooms embody and exude Britishness.
The Oken cream teas are the stuff of legend. As is the crockery team’s choice of fine china. What extraordinarily adept craftsmanship. What delicate shading. That’s to say nothing of the details on the ceramic-embedded table (pictured below).
But something in this tearoom which set them apart from others is that they sell alcohol. Do not adjust your spectacles, they do indeed sell booze. I have enjoyed many a cider here. Not all in one visit, mind. Alcohol does not feature in my roster of addictions. All their alcohol, to the best of my knowledge, is locally sourced. I laud most highly businesses which support the local economy.
In summation, Oken Tearooms provides nourishment as exquisite as the service one receives from the charming waitresses. I recommend it for those of you longing for a touch of forgotten British glamour. The place has an enigmatic charm which never fails to impress me.
by Cedric | Apr 8, 2018 | Food and Drink, General
It’s the day after Mothering Sunday 2018. I have driven four hours to see my mother. Having rested the night, my stomach clamoured for breakfast. I call my sister, who lives 10 minutes away. “Go to Earnest and take me with you”. I’m paraphrasing of course.
So off we went. Grace (my car); Mother; my sister and I arrived in what can only be described as a developing neighbourhood. Tall grey apartment complexes which had replaced a myriad of paint factories surrounded us as we were seated in Earnest.
The bar itself was an oasis in the desert. Beautifully decorated. Sparse yet ornate in a way. There are red supporting pillars abounding. There is a generous selection of alcohol and a wide variety of art on the wall. Encased in an oblong glass panel running alongside one wall is a complete set of collectable Star Wars figurines.
I order my breakfast: a Chorizo and Halloumi Hash Bowl (featured image). Mother takes Eggs Ernesto with Smoked Salmon as opposed to halloumi (pictured below). My sister, in her millennial wisdom, decided to have something called “avo toast”. Likely for a catchy hash tag on one of the innumerable social platforms which people disseminate their every move on today. Like this blog, for example.
My portion was enormous and reflective of the price. Value for money if ever I saw it. And let me tell you, the combination of chorizo and halloumi is nothing less than inspired. I make the same observation as I did at En Diagonal in Barcelona: there is such a thing as too many potatoes. They’re extremely filling and lead to what we call “wastage” when you have to throw away half the food. However I will say that I have rarely seen so pretty a poached egg. Cooked just right.
My mother and sister too enjoyed their meals. I can’t give an in depth analysis of either because a) I deplore of millennial trends like “avo toast” where more value is ascribed to how succinct and Instagram-friendly the title of the dish is, rather than focusing on quality of food or appropriate portion sizes. And, b) I’m extremely apprehensive of eating fish in this country. However I will say they photographed very well.
On finishing my delicious breakfast, I moseyed around the back of the bar. There I found some delightful artwork on the wall from local art company Dove Illustrations. Reminiscent of early 2000AD comics, this really impressed me. I will have to invest in one before long. And so too should you.
The back room was covered by wonderful illustrations such as the one pictured to the left.
In all, this was a delightful surprising experience. Proving the mantra of not judging books by their cover. While this may be in a questionable area of Newcastle for those of us brought up in conservative (small C) households, it is most certainly worth a visit.
Just don’t order the porridge. Nobody should have to pay $5.50 for oats and warm milk.
