The Corran in Laugharne - April 2013

 http://www.thecorran.com/

Three J's made it to The Corran Resort & Spa on a sunny April lunchtime.

This was formerly Hurst House and has recently had a 'makeover' by the new owner. We were fortunate to meet him and he came across as a very nice friendly guy. He seemed to have an understanding of what guests are looking for when they want to have a break away. After lunch, we somehow managed to get ourselves an invitation to have a look around many of the rooms & spa. We were all impressed by what is being done to the rooms and all of them looked comfortable and luxurious. On a cold April day we also liked the fact that all the rooms were warm!

Lunch was served in a large conservatory which was also warm, and whilst there was only one other table dining, there was a nice ambience and we all felt comfortable. We thought it would look really lovely in the evenings as there were lots of candles around.

Lunch was pleasant but perhaps fell slightly short of the rest of the surroundings.

The staff were very friendly and local, which is nice touch.

This is what we ate & drank...

non alcoholic mojito cocktails...

 Chicken dish..

 Butternut squash tagine with rice and yogurt & coriander..

 Courgette & Pea & Mint ravioli with butternut squash...

 A HUGE..cheeseboard..we could have shared it between the three of us!...

 Chocolate torte...

 Chocolate, pepper & ginger cake...

 A beautifully presented pot of tea....

Overall, we enjoyed our time at The Corran. We would definitely return and would tell others to try it...it has great potential to get even better....

One 4 J goes to Warwickshire...

One 4 J goes to Warwickshire...the trip started by visiting Stratford on Avon and the cheese shop Paxton & Whitfield http://www.paxtonandwhitfield.co.uk/ filled with lots of delicious cheese, bread, chutneys etc and they also do mail order..
Then a visit to Fox's Spices to buy some herbs & spices they don't seem to have a web site but attend agricultural shows and do mail order. An excellent company.
Tried to get into Carluccios for lunch http://www.carluccios.com/ but it was too busy, a bottle of Oflemon Oil was purchased.

A table was found at The Hathaway Tearooms in High Street http://www.hathawaytearooms.com/ lunch was
asparagus with hollandaise sauce with shavings of parmesan and a poached egg and J's friend had pannini with red pepper and goats cheese - both were delicious

A stop at the new Waitrose on the way back to friends house to stock up with some foodie goodies http://www.waitrose.com/

As the 4 J's blog is called Lardycake some delicious lardycakes were purchased from Wests of Wellesbourne where they had previously been know to be excellent...

Compton Verny was visited http://www.comptonverney.org.uk/ and of course lunch was involved!
Provencal soup with a sun dried tomato roll (an extra roll each was requested as so tasty) The waiter was very pleasant. A cheese board was shared with some local Warwickshire cheeses and the portions were generous. Highly recommended......

One 4 J goes to Norfolk.....

One 4 J goes to Norfolk......

En route on a Monday a lunch stop at The Piercefield @ St Arvans, Chepstow http://www.piercefieldgwent.co.uk/
recommended by the Food Guide to Cardiff
Two mains were ordered, one sausage & mash and one grey mullet with roast Mediterranean vegetables and a side dish of garlic and oregano courgettes.
Dessert was a creme brulee and a lemon tart with Brecon honey & clotted cream.
Food & staff were great.

Tuesday
The Kings Head @ Coltishall, Norfolk a beautiful pub near a river http://www.kingsheadcoltishall.co.uk/
Two mains of one turbot and one chicken stuffed with mushrooms

Wednesday
Ingham Swan a 16th century pub in Ingham next to a beautiful church http://www.theinghamswan.co.uk/
Two mains Lamb cooked two ways and sea bass
Dessert chocolate nemesis with a blood orange sorbet & creme brulee (again!)

Thursday
Bure River Cottage Restaurant http://www.burerivercottagerestaurant.co.uk/
Starters Pilchards breadcrumbed & served with a herb dip & salmon goujons with a chilli dip
Mains Lemon sole with a herb butter sauce & a hake with a sauce verde & vegetables cooked..just right!

Friday
In Norwich ...Afternoon tea & cup cakes @ Biddy's amazing 40's/50's style tea room http://www.biddystearoom.com/

Evening @ City cinema watched Anna Karenina the dinner in the cinema restaurant..
Starters Roti with spiced veg and warm chorizo, water melon & broad bean salad.
Mains Pan fried chicken and pork with a mustard & honey sauce

Saturday
Afternoon ..tea, biscuits & croissants at .?...Farm, overlooking the Marshes & sea, brightly painted restaurant all the food was home cooked.

Evening @ The Olive Branch Bar Restaurant, Tunstead http://www.olivebranchnorfolk.co.uk/
Mains Lime & dill crusted salmon & veg, Pork with a honey & mustard sauce  & veg
Dessert Tarte tatin with vanilla ice cream and a mango sorbet.

Pictures to follow.....

October lunch at The Grove Narberth

October lunch at The Grove Narberth......http://www.thegrove-narberth.co.uk/
the 4 J's were down to 3 owing to work commitments but on a drizzly Autumn day we were welcomed by Ali Palmer who looked after us brilliantly.
We sat in the lounge and chose our food, the menu was small but varied. We like a small menu. This was our food....

Highly recommended.......we will be back.........

The 25 mile restaurant in Cardigan

All of the 4 J's finally got together again to investigate The 25 Mile restaurant in Cardigan. http://www.the25mile.com/

What a treat we had!

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...