Month: October 2016

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Teeny, Tiny, Cinema Pizzas. 

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I love going to the cinema but probably average going a maximum of 2x a year. It just seems like it’s going to take a lot of time out of my day. But, after reading ‘The Girl on the Train’ last year I was determined to get to see the film.

A patient had recently recommended The Everyman Cinema in Bristol to me so we decided to try it out. After checking it out online I was even more convinced when I saw they serve gluten free pizzas and flat breads. Pizza and a film is a Wednesday evening I’ll make time for.

We didn’t book in advance and despite the big queues we easily got seats. I ordered a large glass of red wine, the special pizza of the day and made my way to my velvet cushioned sofa seat.

We were really impressed with the decor throughout the whole cinema. In the screen there’s lines of cosy looking two seater sofas, cushions and foot rests – perfect to snuggle down into with a glass of wine. Now to the food. We hadn’t eaten and planned to have the pizzas as our main dinner – this, on reflection was the wrong choice. You order your food at the bar and they bring it to your seats in the screen – a good start. As I said, I ordered the special which was goats cheese and caramelised onion –  brilliant, my favourite. There was a delay in the kitchen that evening so the film had started by the time our food came. My heart sunk as I saw the tiniest little pizza being brought to me through the dark aisles. (No pictures due to the film being on!)

The pizza itself was fine, I was impressed with the GF base. Thin and crispy which is what I like. Unfortunately 3 slices of tomato paste and chutney was really just not enough. But, I guess for £8 there’s not much more I should have expected.

The tickets and drinks are slightly more expensive and the popcorn looked smaller than your average cinema but, you’re definitely paying for the whole experience and the friendly, local, screening feel.

Despite the food fail, I will absolutely go back. The perfect place to go with the girls or for a date. I’ll just eat before and take my own snacks next time!

Forever, The Awkward Dinner Guest

xx

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Shaka Zulu – Camden Town

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So, after months of house hunting, moving and job changes I finally have a few spare moments to write a little update about a restaurant I visited in September!

My boyfriend and I took date night on the road, booked an apartment and went to Camden Town for a night. Last Christmas I was given a voucher for a three course meal at Shaka Zulu a beautifully decorated restaurant in the The Stables Market – nine months later we finally had a spare weekend to use the voucher!

Taking the escalator down into the restaurant you are immediately transported into an African wonderland with wooden carvings, 20ft warrior statues and African drummers. It’s a stunning 27,000 sq feet of a place!

We had a choice from the ‘essence of Africa’ menu. I started with venison carpaccio topped with parmesan crisp, while Matt had game and ostrich terrine. Both lovely, fresh starters that were nice and light to begin with. I had, of course, checked out gluten free options weeks before we even booked. There’s a dietary requirement menu online and you can ask for a specific menu when you are there, luckily there’s lots of options and I’m always a big fan of anywhere that has GF chips!

I couldn’t go to a South African restaurant without trying some game meat. I ordered the ostrich steak and Matt had the 10oz sirloin which he said was the best steak he’d ever eaten. Mine was really tender with a strong gamey taste, very enjoyable.  Excellently cooked food, washed down with great wine and cocktails in a restaurant with a great buzz and a really fun atmosphere.

I don’t want to dwell on it but, the service was really terrible. The people who brought over our food were pleasant and smiley, but this was ruined by the girl serving us – grumpy, rude and made us feel really uncomfortable. After reading trip advisor reviews this, unfortunately, seems to be a bit of a common thing. It all stung a bit more when they whacked 11% service charge on top of our bill.

The food isn’t cheap here, but you are paying for great quality and the whole experience. For a little bit of a different night out with equally good food it’s worth a visit.

We loved Camden and spent the following day getting lost in the Stables and food stall hopping amongst the Kerb markets. I’m still dreaming of these halloumi chips from olibabas!

Camden, we’ll definitely be back and I wouldn’t mind round two at Shaka Zulu’s.

 

Forever, The Awkward Dinner Guest

xx

 

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Beers and Pizza. GLUTEN FREE beers and pizza!

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In July and August this year flat hunting became one of my least favourite activities ever! Apparently a spacious, light, clean apartment in Bristol is near impossible to find.

After another day of fruitless hunting my boyfriend and I decided we needed a treat to cheer up our viewing woes. Pizza was the perfect choice to take my mind off estate agents, online ads and 1 bedroom apartments.

We chose Planet Pizza on the busy Gloucester Road. I’ve driven past the place so many times and after a sign saying ‘Gluten free pizza’ caught my eye, it’s been on my list to visit.

Planet pizza has two restaurants on Gloucester Road and Cotham Hill. They offer takeaways, eating in and a huge menu of gluten free pizzas and desserts –  my favourite.

I chose the capricorn – goats cheese, caramelised onions topped with rocket. My boyfriend went for a mars pizza -meatballs and pepperoni topped with corn chips and guac! Its a really chilled out place with no fancy extras and big servings.

The pizza was tasty but the base could possibly have been cooked for a little longer. Still, this wouldn’t have put me off going back and on a sunny evening it looks like the idea place to sit on the decking and people watch.

5-7pm Sunday – Wednesday is 241 on all pizzas. Its a great spot for mid-week pizza eating, washed down with a gluten free beer or cider and it definitely took my mind off moving flats…for an hour or so! They serve Duara Damm the beer I tend to see most commonly on menus. 

 

Forever, The Awkward Dinner Guest

xx