Hammet House Llechryd Cardigan

This Food with the 4 J's was actually with 3 J's owing to work commitments of the 4th but a tasty lunch was enjoyed at Hammet House http://www.hammethouse.co.uk/

It was a lovely August day as we drove down the tree lined drive towards Hammet House. We were a little early so had coffee in the sitting room which was very grey and large. We all decided we liked grey but felt something was missing. During lunch the decor was discussed again and thought that perhaps some soft furnishings would 'soften' the grey.
In the bar area where we had lunch the decor and interiors were a little 'warmer' and whilst the chairs were a design statement they were actually very comfortable.

Now to the food....

 Carmarthenshire cheese & spinach lasagne

 Confit of duck on puy lentils & red cabbage

 Pork belly on mash with apples

 Chocolate mousse & chocolate sort of ice creamy scoop...yum

 Eton mess with strawberries & a raspberry coulis

 'Deconstructed' lemon meringue with strawberry champagne, strawberries & a strawberry ice creamy scoop

Flowers from the garden ...a lovely touch ....perhaps fresh flowers could have softened the grey???

Restaurant Sat Bains Nottingham

The original plan was that two of the 4 J's were to visit Sat Bain's restaurant with rooms http://www.restaurantsatbains.com/
Just before the planned trip one of the 4 J's fell very badly and had to go to hospital and have a new hip! Disaster!
Fortunately for the other J the trip took place and a fabulous meal unfolded before their eyes and tummies!
The seven course menu was chosen...

Pembrokeshire County Show 2012 Recipes by Angela Gray

One of our J's went along to the Pembrokeshire County Show this year http://www.pembsshow.org/ unfortunately she chose a rainy day, fortunately, she decided to take cover and watch a couple of cookery demonstrations from Angela Gray of Llanerch Vineyard Cookery school http://llanerch-vineyard.co.uk/angela-gray-s-cookery-school/

One of the recipes was Shredded Asian style chicken with spring onion pancakes and coriander relish and the other was Poussin simply roasted with onions,garlic and bacon - served with a herb salsa...yummy!

Recipes....

Trip to Stoke on Trent!

Pottery is a passion for more than one of the 4 J's, however one J took a trip to Stoke on Trent to visit the Emma Bridgewater factory http://www.emmabridgewater.co.uk/
No surprise that along the way food was eaten.....

The first stop en route was the Wildlife Centre at Cilgerran http://www.welshwildlife.org/visitor-centres/the-welsh-wildlife-centre/ This was to view a timber frame building that had recently been erected by MC Rustics http://www.mc-rustics.co.uk/ with wood supplied by Atheston Firewood http://www.athestonfirewood.co.uk/  The cafe is in the big glass house and the food is freshly cooked. As it was only elevenses cake & drinks were ordered. J had 'indian' spiced carrot cake and bottle green elderflower cordial and her husband had baked chocolate and strawberry cheesecake and coffee. The cakes were delicious but as it was time to hit the road there was no chance to sample the home cooked meals.


Dinner was at an Italian restaurant in Stoke on Trent, La Bella Napoli http://www.labellanapoli.co.uk/
A bottle of house red was ordered and enjoyed, J had a starter of aubergines in a tomato sauce and her husband had gnocchi
For mains J had gnocchi with tomato sauce and her husband had sea bream in a white wine sauce
Deserts were some irrestible chocolate profiteroles!
If ever in the area again, another visit would take place.

Apologies for no pics.....need to get this J in the 21st century!!

J and her husband  stayed at The Graythwaite B & B in Newcastle under Lyme http://www.thegraythwaite.co.uk/  they were served local speciality Staffordshire Oatcakes with their full breakfast which was very good indeed...