BAR + BLOCK STEAKHOUSE, WIMBLEDON

If I had to pick my absolute favourite thing to order when I go out for dinner - it has to be steak. There's just something so indulgent about a perfectly cooked rib-eye (medium rare for those asking) washed down with a delicious glass of wine. That's exactly what we got when we visited Bar + Block, a steakhouse located over in Wimbledon a couple of weeks ago - here, let me show you around...

There's several Bar + Block restaurants located across the UK in areas such as Bath, Belfast, Birmingham and across London. It's part of the Whitbread group so you'll usually find them connected to Premier Inn hotels making them a great place to eat if you're staying over the night somewhere.

The menu is extensive - with a range of dishes prepared on the grill as well as favourites like Fish & Chips and curries. We grabbed ourselves a couple of glasses of crisp white wine and got our heads stuck into the main menu...

The best way to attack the starters is with a selection of the 'Grazing Plates'. There's everything from pulled beef tacos to mussels marinere - each designed to be mixed and matched. The waitress suggested we order three between the two of us so we went with the Korean BBQ Ribs - sticky slabs of pork slathered in a spicy BBQ sauce as well as a portion of the Cheese and Jalapeno Dippers...

and the incredible Middle Eastern King Prawns - these are served shell-on and tossed in a roasted red pepper, tomato, harissa and garlic sauce. My absolute favourite of the three dishes - just look at them!

For main course, we had to go for steaks - of course! The classic cuts served at Bar + Block come from British breeds reared across the Pampas in South America. They are aged for a minimum of 28 days and hand cut on site - meaning you can ask for your steak as big as you want it - all you need to do is ask.

Instead of going for our standard Ribeye order, we decided to try out some options from the speciality menu like the 10oz Spiral Cut Fillet and the Tira De Ancho

The Fillet was served as a long strip of steak, having been marinated in garlic and parsley for 24 hours for added tenderness and flavour whereas the Tira de Ancho is a 14oz spiral cut ribeye, marinated in garlic, parsley and chilli and served with chimichurri.

Each steak is served with samphire and your choice of salad or beef dripping triple cooked chunky chips (which is a no-brainer surely!) plus a choice of sauces as an added extra.

If you've got room for pudding - you're in for a treat! We finished off our meal with the Chocolate Churros Sundae which is packed with vanilla ice cream, brownie chunks, churros coated in cinnamon sugar as well as cream and chocolate toffee sauce. 

Bar + Block Wimbledon is open seven days a week untill 11pm - head over to the website to find the nearest location to you and to book a table! Thanks again to Bar + Block for having us!

Bar and Block

153-161 The Broadway

SW19 1NE

* I was invited to review Bar + Block

MR KIPLING REDUCED SUGAR CAKE SLICES + GIVEAWAY [AD]

What’s the only thing better than a piping hot cup of tea and a slice of cake - ‘guilt-free’ cake of course…

Yep, those clever people at Mr Kipling have found a way to make their heavenly cake slices using up to 30% less sugar but every bit of the same delicious flavour.

 The Mr Kipling Chocolate Slices are now available with just 99 calories and 6.2g of sugar per slice and the Angel Slices weigh in with a saintly 100 calories and 6.1g of sugar.

 The main difference between the regular cake slices and the new reduced sugar variation is less icing on the top - these feature a light swirl which is just enough to take the edge off those 4pm cravings!

If you fancy trying them for yourself, you’re in luck because the lovely team at Mr Kipling have kindly given me a whole hamper of cakes to giveaway to one of my readers. All you need to do is enter via the Rafflecopter below - good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway T&Cs: Competition closes at midnight on Saturday 17th August. UK residents only. 

Mr Kipling Reduced Sugar Cake Slices are available to buy from all major retailers priced at £1.75 for a pack of six.

*This is a paid post with Mr Kipling

INTRODUCING THE NEWEST WAY TO ENJOY YOUR BOUNTY CHOCOLATE [AD]

You know how much I LOVE a good chocolate bar, don’t you? Settling down to one of my fav Netflix series, with a bar of chocolate is my absolute favourite past-time and now I’ve found the ultimate bar to tuck into! Bounty Milk Snacks.

Yep. Remember when I tried the Mars Milk Snacks a few months ago? Well, this is the exact same concept, only this time those clever people at the chocolate factory have found a way to transform your favourite Bounty bar into a deliciously chilled version!

These bars combine a soft layer of sponge with a creamy, coconutty mousse which is then coated in deliciously thick chocolate – sounds dreamy, right? They’re fab for summer and strike that perfect balance between a choccie bar and an ice cream!

If you love Bounty as much as I do, get yourself down to your local Sainsbury’s where you can pick up new Bounty Milk Snacks for just £2 for a pack of four - just head to the chilled desserts aisle!

*This is a paid collaboration with Mars Wrigley Confectionery 

All opinions are my own

AUTHENTHIC ITALIAN AT TERRA ROSSA, ISLINGTON

I've been contracting in North London recently which has encourage me to explore more of the restaurants in the Clerkenwell and Islington areas. You might have seen that I visited 12:51 recently and today's find is another great place just a few doors down on Upper Street.

It's called Terra Rossa and it's fab little Italian, showcasing the very best dishes from the Southern region of Puglia. The restaurant itself has a stripped-back airy feel with rustic wooden tables and chairs, a white-washed bar and wood-panelled walls. The menu reflects this laid-back Italian affair with dishes from Southern Italy, packed with flavour and using the finest ingredients from Italian suppliers.

For our starters, we ordered the creamy Burrata (£10.90) served with roasted peppers which is a must-order dish whenever I see it on a menu. Those that haven't tried it before, it's a bit like a softer, creamier version of Mozzarella but in my opinion, a lot tastier!

We also went for the 'polpo a pignatu' (£10.90), a traditional dish of braised Mediterranean octopus and potatoes in a black pepper sauce served with thick chunks of bread for mopping up all the juices.

For our mains, we both went for pasta dishes but there's also a great range of pizzas on offer. The team at Terra Rossa have installed a custom built pasta station where the chefs hand-roll fresh pasta every day so it's super fresh and cooked perfectly al dente.

I went for the Paccheri Al Ragu Di Mare (£14.90) which is the restaurant's twist on a bolognese ragu, but which uses minced octopus instead of meat. It was a really interesting and tasty dish, slightly sweeter than the traditional version but really enjoyable.

Tom went for the 'Maritati & Popette' (£13.90) which combines the signature pasta with homemade meatballs and a rich, tomato ragu and plenty of ricotta cheese!

We finished things off with a creamy Tiramisu and a Hot Chocolate Souffle - the perfect way to round up a delicious, decadent meal.

We really enjoyed our visit to Terra Rossa. Each dish was beautifully presented and really made you feel like you were being transported across to Italy. The prices are reasonable too however I have to give a special shout out to the set menu on offer which is just £28 for three courses and a glass of prosecco which is brilliant value for money. Head to their website or Opentable for reservations.

Terra Rossa

139 Upper St, The Angel, London N1 1QP

* We were invited to review the restaurant

Our food was complimentary but all opinions are honest

RESTAURANT 12:51, ISLINGTON

Hands up who else loves watching Great British Menu? It's one of my absolute favourite programmes to put on while I'm eating my dinner and I'm constantly making notes on the chefs, determined to try out their restaurants. A couple of weeks ago I got an invitation to try out last year's 'Champion of Champions' James Cochran new outpost and I can't tell you how excited I was! It's called 12:51 and you can find them over in Islington - here, let me show you what the food is like..

The menu is designed for sharing with smaller portions encouraging you to order several dishes between you - or if you'd prefer, you can go with the tasting menu option instead. The dishes are 'modern British' with influences all across the global (including James' Scottish and Caribbean heritage) and focus on using quality, local ingredients.

We kicked things off with a round of small plates to share between us and absolutely LOVED the Jerusalem artichoke (£12) topped with a creamy smoked egg mayonnaise, chive and garlic - wish I'll be honest I wasn't expecting.

One of my favourites dishes was the buttermilk jerk chicken (£5), which were super crunchy on the outside but juicy and succulent within. These are topped with corn nuts for a little extra crunch and a delicious scotch bonnet jam, perfect for slathering on top.

The BBQ leek (£14) was another hit for us, with its gorgeous smokey chargrilled flavour, however the price feels a little steep for a veggie dish (which is probably down to the use of truffle). It's topped with cured egg yolk, shiitake mushroom, hazelnuts and melted feta to balance out all the smokey, salty and slightly sweet flavours.

Next comes the beautifully presented Cornish cured mackerel (£13) served alongside pickled cucumber and topped with a punchy N'duja and pork crackling for an added crunch.

From the larger plates menu, we ordered the roast haunch of new season lamb (£22) which comes perfectly pink in thick slices and served with creamy sheep’s curd, roscoff onion, mint gremolata and topped with almonds.

The slow braised short rib of Dexter beef (£24) was my star of the night however. The presentation was just incredible, with a huge chunk of beef which almost melted as you cut into - paired with wild garlic, miso, oyster, salsify, oyster leaf and bone marrow. Simply delicious.

We had at an absolute feast at James' restaurant and I was so impressed with every dish that we were served on the night. Yes, the food is on the pricey side, but the standard of cooking and quality of ingredients certainly makes it worth it - especially as a treat or for a special occasion. While chatting to our waiter, he let slip that the BEST thing James cooks is a roast dinner, and having seen the photos on Instagram, I am most definitely heading back soon to give that a try! If you fancy trying 12:51, it's advisable to book as the restaurant is small and in demand!

Restaurant 12:51
107 Upper Street, Islington

N1 1QN

* We were guests of 12:51
Our food was complimentary but all opinions are honest

THE BUTTERFLY KISSES AFTERNOON TEA, IVY MARLOW GARDEN

Hands up, who else absolutely LOVES afternoon tea? It's one of my favourite things to do with my mum - ever since I was little, we used to go on day trips to different hotels or tea-houses around the country, trying out all the afternoon teas on offer. So when I got an invitation to try the new afternoon tea at The Ivy in Marlow, I knew exactly who to take along with me. 

The new afternoon tea is a collaboration between The Ivy and one of France’s most historic Champagne houses, Perrier-Jouët. For £26.50, you're treated to a delicious array of cakes, sandwiches, tea and a glass of their delicious champagne, all under the restaurant's conservatory, where 600 green, white and gold origami butterflies have been delicately suspended from the ceiling.

It's a gorgeous way to spend an afternoon, especially when the weather is nice and you can sit outside in the conservatory. 

As with every good afternoon tea, you're served a delicious array of sandwiches including truffled chicken brioche roll and a traditional cucumber & dill...

Plus a whole host of delicate homemade cakes including a gorgeous lemon tartlet and a soft, pillowy doughnut - and plenty of warm fruit scones, served alongside lashes of jam and cream. 

 My absolute favourite though was this little chocolate pot - filled with creamy chocolate mousse and topped with little edible butterflies, tying in with the English Country Garden theme.

As an extra-special touch, at the end of your tea you're presented with a butterfly card which will unfold to reveal a message of well wishes, or for 200 lucky guests, a prize. Some of these prizes on offer include a three-course dinner for two at The Ivy Marlow Garden, and a complementary bottle of Perrier-Jouët Champagne.

The Butterfly Kisses Afternoon Tea is only available for a limited time so you'll need to book now to make the most it, otherwise the standard Ivy Afternoon Tea is equally as good! Make sure you book yourself a table in the conservatory to make the most of this wonderful weather we're having at the moment!

The Ivy Marlow Garden

66-68 High Street, Marlow

SL7 1AH

*We were guests of The Ivy Marlow Garden

All opinions are honest

IMMERSIVE DINING AT THE TOP SECRET GINGERLINE

This next blog post is going to be a little strange as I have something really exciting to tell you about – but I can’t really tell you anything about it at all!

I’m not making any sense, am I? Let me explain, I recently went to an immersive dining experience with the Gingerline – an evening which blurs the lines between dance, theatre, food and design - but the exact details of which are always kept top secret. It’s all part of the magic and keeping the excitement alive for next round of visitors.

Everything about the Gingerline is shrouded in mystery, from the location (which isn’t shared until 4pm on the day of the show via text message) to the food and the entertainment itself. All that I can tell you is that it’s an assault on the senses and makes for a really fun and interactive night out!

 The tickets cost between £60 and £75 which includes a five-course set menu, plus a welcome drink and around three hours of non-stop entertainment. Be warned though – this show is interactive – so if you’re of a nervous or shy disposition….make sure you bag yourself a middle seat!

If you're a fan of immersive experiences, the Gingerline is certainly one you won't want to miss! To book tickets for the next expedition, keep an eye on the website as they always sell out super fast!

* Our tickets to the Gingerline were complimentary
I attended on behalf of Love Pop-ups London

All images provided by Rob Grieg

STEAK NIGHT AT MILLER & CARTER, BEACONSFIELD

I've always been a huge Miller & Carter fan so I was SO excited when I saw that they were opening a new restaurant in my home-town Beaconsfield. They've taken over what used to be the Harvester, giving the whole place a much-needed face-life which Tom and I went to check out a couple of weeks ago. 

If you've never been to Miller & Carter before, it's a Steakhouse restaurant which prides itself on providing the ultimate steak experience. We kicked off our meal with a couple of starters - if you go, you HAVE to order the mini stuffed Yorkshire puddings - they're packed with slow cooked beef barbacoa, cheddar cheese and topped with crispy onion loaf. You also get a little pot of beef dripping sauce on the side which you can drizzle all over - or dunk them into. 

We also shared the Pulled Beef & Onion Rillettes. A bit like a cross-between a pate and a terrine, it's made with slow cooked pulled beef, caramelised onion marmalade and beef dripping sauce and comes served with toasted ciabatta which you can use to scoop it all up onto.

Now for mains, you'd be mad to come here and not order a steak. What I love about Miller & Carter is how much food you get - every steak you order comes as part of a full experience. First you select which steak you want (I went for a 50 day aged rib-eye cooked medium rare)...

Then you pick an lettuce wedge, with a choice of several dressings which acts as a bit of a starter - my favourite is the Stilton and blue cheese sauce.

You also get a slice of the iconic Miller & Carter onion loaf...

as well as your choice of steak sauce, plus seasoned fries and a parsley butter. I always think the steaks here are incredible value, given how much you get included in the price. You often see steaks restaurants charge you one price for the meat and you then have to shell out for additional sides. 

If you do want to add on sides, there's a whole array of options from stuffed bone marrow to mushrooms and Mediterranean vegetables. We went for a portion of the Lobster Mac & Cheese, which was delicious, and added some Sauteed Greens for a bit of healthy balance.

 After all that food, we just about had room for dessert so decided to share a Banoffee pie between us. A perfect balance of soft toffee, with banana slices and loads of delicious cream - one of my absolute favs!

All in all – it's a really great steak restaurant and a fab spot for date night or if you're celebrating a birthday! If you live locally, you can find the Miller & Carter at the address below, otherwise they have restaurants all around the country so just head to the website to find your nearest branch.

Miller & Carter

Holtspur Top Ln, Beaconsfield HP9 1UD

* I was invited to review Miller & Carter

Our food was complimentary but all opinions are honest