gluten free UK – Tummy Happy

Chill, chat and tapas at Ambiente, Fossgate

October 7, 2019Posted in ReviewsTagged Ambiente Fossgate, Ambiente Tapas, chimichurri steak, Fossgate York, gluten free UK, Gluten free York, Restaurants Fossgate, seafood York, tapas York, tummy happy, tummy happy food, York dairy free, York gluten free pubs, York gluten free restaurants, York restaurants, York tapasLeave a comment

I’m going to start by saying that this place was cool, and I mean Nordic style steak house cool with a great buzz, friendly staff and incredible tapas. The only downside; I’d eaten a big breakfast beforehand which I rather regretted on arrival at Ambiente Tapas, as the menu was so extensive that I automatically wanted to sample as much as possible along with copious amounts of red wine. Sadly for me, I had the unfortunate task of choosing which four dishes I was going to order before I simply burst as a result of over eating. So here goes, my choices are as follows:

Bistec De Arrachera – to translate, this was a long plate of dry rubbed skirt of beef served with roasted onions and chimichurri. I chose this dish simply because, who the hell can go wrong with steak and chimichurri? At £6.95, it was the most expensive of the dishes I ordered and personally I would have liked a slightly larger portion for the price, but the steak was succulent, nicely flavoured and enjoyable as my only meat dish on the line-up.

Mejillones A La Marinera – AKA, mussels steamed in white wine & garlic cream (the cream was omitted for me for obvious reasons). You can’t go far wrong with a big bowl of mussels when they’re swimming in a delicious broth. Despite the fact that I couldn’t have the cream sauce, the juice left behind at the end was absolutely beautiful. Once I’d munched my way through the meaty mussels, I scooped up every last morsel of the broth – very tasty indeed.

Aceitunas Gordal – that is Queen Gordal olives for us Anglo-speaking specimens. Were they the best I’ve ever tasted? Nope, but they sure weren’t the worst either. I’d happily order them again. Add some black olives and red peppers to the bowl and Bob’s your uncle.

Judias Verdes – in other words, green beans pan fried in garlic with sun-dried tomatoes and pine nuts. Wow, wow, wow! Don’t be fooled by the fact that this dish sounds healthy as hell, because I really did save the best until last. This concoction just goes to show what can be created with just a few simple ingredients and really justifies why we love the simplistic food of the Mediterranean so much. In fact, I have thought about whipping this dish up at home countless times since as it’s so darn easy. The sweetness of the tomatoes mixed in with the crunch of the pine nuts, hint of garlic and juicy beans married together like a symphony. If someone gave me a mahoosive bowl of this then I would be in heaven. Divine with a capital D, people!

Overall, would I come back to Ambiente Tapas? Hell yeah! I’m only sorry I’d eaten a big breakfast that morning. If you’re in York and love tapas, chill and good wine, there’s only one place to be.

Rockfish seafood restaurant – can I get sides with that?

June 1, 2018January 14, 2020Posted in ReviewsTagged dairy free Dartmouth, eating out Dartmouth, Gluten free Dartmouth, Gluten free devon, gluten free restaurants, gluten free UK, restaurant Dartmouth, Restaurants south devon, Rockfish, Rockfish Dartmouth, Rockfish Torquay, seafood Torquay, Sophie Haigh, Torquay restaurants, tummy happyLeave a comment

One of my favourite things in life is seafood. There’s nothing better than cooking up a bowl full of fresh mussels on a Friday night accompanied by a nice bottle of red. In fact, when I’m holidaying in Greece, I will usually eat more fish than meat as I find it so fresh and tasty over there, which is why when I see what potentially looks like a great seafood restaurant here in Blighty, I try and book a table.

On a recent trip to Torquay I came across a restaurant right on the seafront called Rockfish. With a slogan of ‘tomorrow’s fish is still in the sea,’ and a backstory that incorporates two best mates having a vision to serve only the best seafood from the South Coast of England, it appears to be the sort of place you’d want to try at least once.

The place was packed as we walked in, a good sign and perhaps a strong indication of the fact that in 25 degrees heat like it was that day, people automatically crave the seafood rich diet that is so common in the countries that us Brits like to holiday in.

The one thing that drew me to Rockfish was the announcement that the menu could be made entirely gluten free. First, I ordered the half pint of Norwegian prawns, which I was told I couldn’t have, presumably because there may have been milk in the cocktail sauce. The only alternative for a starter that the waitress could offer was the fresh Devon crab with avocado and lime. It was my first time sampling crab and I do have to say it was absolutely delicious alongside the creamy avocado and spring onion.

For mains, I would have liked the gluten free fish and chips, but again was told I could only have it un-battered and only if it was cod. There wasn’t a lot that I could have off the menu without milk, so I opted for the chargrilled calamari steak but without the garlic butter. In Spain, there is a famous octopus dish that is served with tiny potatoes in olive oil that tastes amazing. I presumed that the calamari steak would come with chips, but it only came with a bit of greenery. It was pretty nice to begin with, but without the butter it got boring to eat on its own and didn’t fill me up.

I don’t know whether because it was a bank holiday the chefs didn’t have time to fire up the gluten free pans, or whether the menu isn’t as adaptable allergen free as first stated, but I left feeling a little disappointed. I have always said that a good chef can adapt dishes but here there wasn’t much choice, and besides, surely putting some potatoes or chips on the plate with the squid wouldn’t have caused too much trouble.

Overall, if you’re a regular eater and you’re looking for a fish restaurant in Torquay then by all means give Rockfish a go. For me however, I probably won’t be visiting again for a while.

**UPDATE**

I am happy to tell you that I gave Rockfish another go in 2019 – this time when on a mini holiday in Dartmouth – and I have to say, the food was exquisite. They have definitely made allergens a key priority since my original review and presented me with a comprehensive gluten free menu on arrival and the statement that almost everything could be made gluten and dairy free. I opted for a big bowl of juicy mussels and the seafood platter, consisting of giant prawns, langoustine, sprats, squid and onion rings – all cooked in a gluten free batter. I was absolutely delighted with my meal and it was terrific to be able to tuck into the impressive spread laid out before my eyes. Well done Rockfish!

(Pictured: Gluten Free Seafood Platter)

Pull up a seat at Cosy Club

April 10, 2018April 10, 2018Posted in ReviewsTagged Bennett hill birmingham, Birmingham, Birmingham bars, birmingham restaurant, cocktail bars Birmingham, Cosy Club, Cosy Club Birmingham, dairy free birmingham, gluten free birmingham, gluten free restaurant Birmingham, gluten free UK, vegan bar birmingham, vegetarian bar birminghamLeave a comment

What does an English Garden, Lemon Drizzle Cake and Sparkling Duchess have in common I hear you ask? Nope, I’m not giving you tips on which horses to bet on during this year’s Grand National. They are in fact a spectacular assortment of cocktails available at one of my all-time favourite bars, Cosy Club.

Situated on the site of a Grade II listed former banking hall on Bennetts Hill that was built in 1830, Cosy Club opened its doors to Brummie’s in 2015, offering “mansion splendour meets village hall eccentricity.” The quirky restaurant and bar has been a popular ‘chill-out’ hub for me and my friends ever since and we can regularly be found tucking into a juicy burger or sampling one of the delicious gin based cocktails here.

What do I love about Cosy Club? The ambience is one thing. Walk in through the big double doors and you’re welcomed by jazz music and interiors that sit somewhere between art deco mixed in with your Aunt Deidre’s curtains which haven’t been changed since the 1600’s. It does what it says on the box, delights in eccentricity. It blends British aristocratic furniture with glamorous 30’s materials and strangely, it seems to work.

Cosy Club is a ‘go-to’ place for me when I’m in need of brunch, lunch or dinner, thanks to its extensive choice of gluten and dairy free meals. Despite there being a large selection of dishes that can be altered to suit my dietary needs, I always seem to opt for the same almost every time – The Classic burger with a beef patty, lettuce, beef tomato, red onion, gherkin and burger sauce.

I’ve also tried the Pan Fried Salmon Fillet with green beans, sugar snap peas, pak choi, roasted potatoes and a green chilli, lemongrass, coriander and lime dressing which was delightful, as well as the Black Angus 80z steak with thick cut chips which was both tender and flavoursome.

Breakfast is just as good. Being gluten free means that whilst my friends gobble down a Full English with all the works, I am often left with a pitiful meal of just bacon and egg. The Cosy Club breakfast on the other hand delivers the full package, minus the sausages and hash browns, which really hits the spot. Soya milk is available, giving you the option to enjoy an after eight coffee or teapot of good old builders brew.

The lounge at the back of the restaurant offers a place to take refuge in when you want a quiet drink and a chat and the building does boast private rooms for parties, cocktail masterclasses and Murder Mystery nights – which judging by the hidden corners and Cluedo style deco would be a believable place for Professor Plum to dispose of Colonel Mustard.

There are multiple Cosy Club restaurants across the UK and each one has its own personality. The one in my old uni town of Leicester for example is not really up my street due to its casual café layout, but the Birmingham one, with its two storey restaurant and candle lit tables is the perfect place for an aperitif or post-meal martini on ice. Just sit back, relax with a drink and enjoy the friendly atmosphere that Cosy Club has to offer.