Displaying items by tag: Ipswich

If you enjoy a glass of wine and want to learn more about the fascinating subject whilst enjoying a sip or two then try a Laithwaite's Wine Evening.  I was excited to be invited to the Ipswich event last week and to hear that there were going to be 36 wines to taste. 11 tables showcased a range of wines from the across the world and the evening proved to be a fun and really good entry level wine tasting, with helpful notes on how to taste wine and even some producers and wine buyers to chat to. My highlight of the night was chatting to Christine Weingut, Laithwaite's German wine buyer. Obviously passionate about her job, each wine on her German and Austrian table had an interesting story behind it.  So I came away with an order for Moselgold Riesling aus Steillagen Trocken 2012 from the steep, slate slopes of the Mosel and produced by a chap called Achim. Achim follows the family tradition started by his grandparents of creating the wine entirely himself from the grape to the bottle, in his garage.

All Manor of Events in Henley, outside Ipswich, are holding Christmas in Oz themed parties.  This is a really original place to go for the staff Christmas party.  Each year the theme is different and we really enjoyed the chance to spend the evening in Oz.  The food was very good ( Christmas menu ) and the decor brilliant.

Meet Malcolm our October Dish of the Day - you can just see him at the back! Malcolm is one of the bakers at The Suffolk Food Hall.  Their display of homemade artisan breads and baked goods is very impressive and so is the view from the Cookhouse Restaurant window.

Suffolkfoodie followers, The Sparkes family, sent in this report following a very good meal at The Bistro on the Quay.  Coeliac readers, give it a try and see if you agree.

This restaurant is a great example of how to get it right, from the cheerful attentive service to the beautifully presented and delicious freshly prepared food. I am a coeliac and also have some intolerance to dairy products. As soon as this was conveyed to the waiter he asked if I would like the chef to compose a separate menu just for me.  Nothing is too much trouble.  Such a change from the usual blank looks of ‘oh not another fussy eater’  that I normally get. A real range of starters, mains and desserts, it was hard to choose.

Recommendations - Bang Bang Chicken with peanut sauce, Grilled Sea Bass and the Grilled Thai Chicken breast.  Must try - Samphire, I had never had it before. And Creme Brulee for dessert.

Yes, it is more expensive than your average pub, but then you are getting very high quality food, beautifully cooked and  in a light and friendly atmosphere where you are made to feel that your custom is valued. I am going back to try the rest of the menu.

We don't mind if the Cradle of Filth are the face of Suffolk instead of a beach hut or a racehorse, as long as he grows his own veg.

As usual the WI Country Market showing us how to make the best sausage rolls, almond slices and oat biscuits, but piece de resistance this year is Tim Mathews (remember last years Masterchef?) on his own stall - The Artisan Smokehouse www.artisansmokehouse.co.uk. Selling smoked olive oil, smoked sirloin steak, garlic and so many other other yummy delicacies  that we wanted to taste the lot.

Because he said the piece I wrote about him in last year's Christmas edition of Suffolk magazine was 'sensational'. And he says that if I go to his butchers he will give me a bit of free bacon.