I’m not a food expert and this is not based on any survey, vote or poll. Just 17 of me and my loved one's favourites and a few words why.
- Eat at The Rat Inn, Anick, Northumberland.
It’s my local and it’s also one of the top 50 gastro pubs in the UK. How lucky am I? Rib of beef for 2 is amazing but their Scotch Egg with kimchi is world class.
www.theratinn.com
- Holiday on Formentera.
Our favourite place in the sun. Amazing beaches, incredible food and much quieter than its rowdy big brother, Ibiza. Stay at Can Aisha, dine late at Marea, have a drink at the quirky beach bar on Cala Saona.
www.canaisha.com
www.ristoranteformentera.com
- Go to Cuba before it becomes like the rest of the Caribbean.
We once saw a performance by Buena Vista Social Club in a community hall just outside of Havana. It was incredible. Commercialisation could rip the heart out of Cuba so go now - be like Hemingway with a daiquiri at La Floridita.
www.floridita-cuba.com
- If you’re in New York you must go to the legendary Union Square Café.
It closed for a year, moved two blocks and was re-born last month.
Danny Meyer (one of the world’s greatest restaurateurs) is transforming the industry by introducing no tipping (service included) in his restaurants and focusing on ‘enlightened hospitality’. The food is awesome too.
www.unionsquarecafe.com
- Stay in Hotel 41 London.
You’ll be next door to Buckingham Palace and if you have a room at the front you can even peep into the Queen’s London residence. But the best bit? You will be treated like royalty. Probably the best customer service hotel in the world.
www.41hotel.com
- Immerse yourself in a live performance at the legendary Ronnie Scotts.
There’s something about this venue that makes the music sound even better. You can enjoy a decent meal there too.
www.ronniescotts.co.uk
- Enjoy the best tapas ever at Barrafina.
Still in Soho? You will eat more than you planned and as soon as you see what other people have ordered you’ll want to try that too. And because it’s tapas, you feel justified in having ‘just one more’. Be prepared to queue though, our record is 1 hour 45 mins.
www.barrafina.co.uk
- Indulge yourself with a trip to the legendary Gleneagles Hotel.
I don’t play golf, believing it can ruin a good walk, so Gleneagles was never on my list. A neighbour almost choked when I revealed, ‘No, I’ve never been to Gleneagles’. He insisted it was nothing to do with the golf, you just ‘have to go’ - so we booked a long weekend. Gleneagles is everything you would expect and more. Definitely one for the bucket list.
www.Gleneagles.com
- Riley’s Fish Shack at Tynemouth.
Yes, I am biased towards the North East, but when Jay Rayner describes a place as ‘the eating experience of the year’, you know you’re not alone. The freshest fish, simply cooked and served in cardboard boxes. It’s world-class.
www.rileysfishshack.com
- Moor Hall.
I’ve never been to Moor Hall. At the time of writing this blog, it hasn’t opened, but I am expecting great things and it’s on my 2017 must-visit list. Since leaving L’enclume. Chef/proprietor Mark Birchall has been working on this project for close to two years. You’ll not meet a more ambitious and creative chef. Mark won the Roux Scholarship and worked at El Celler de Can Roca, a 3 Michelin Star Restaurant, twice voted the world’s best restaurant. He looks determined to take dining to a new level.
www.MoorHall.com
- Go crazy at the Bellagio, Las Vegas.
What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. But you’ll want to tell everyone about your Bellagio experience. It is exactly like the movies - but crazier. I never thought Vegas would have been a place for us, but we loved it. Have a champagne brunch and take lots of power naps.
www.bellagio.com
- Scoff the best meal of your life at L’enclume.
Simon Rogan’s 2 Michelin starred restaurant in the Lake District has become a magnet for foodies from around the world. Enjoy a mere 16-20 courses of the freshest, most delicious food you will ever consume. The best - and second best - meals of my life have been enjoyed here.
www.Lenclume.co.uk
- Fenwick’s Food Hall in Newcastle.
Fenwick’s Food Hall in Newcastle could give Harrods a run for its money. After a major refurbishment, it now boasts some amazing purveyors of fine foods and great eating concessions; including my favourite Saltwater Fish. A member of Terry Laybourne’s 21 Hospitality Group, Saltwater Fish is part restaurant, part bar and part fishmonger. An excellent break from shopping.
www.saltwaterfish.co.uk
- Hepple Gin!
Not so much a place to have a drink but a wonderful drink discovery. Hepple Gin! They’ve got the spelling of the name slightly wrong 😉 but the gin is brilliant! A fine mixture of Northumberland botanicals takes gin o’clock to a whole
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