Showing posts with label restaurant. Show all posts
Showing posts with label restaurant. Show all posts

Saturday, March 02, 2024

Gluten free at The Oxford Place in Leeds

We had another amazing meal at The Oxford Place in Leeds last Sunday.


Pan-Fried North Sea Cod with Crushed New Potatoes, Lilliput Capers and a Prosecco and Brown Shrimp Sauce at The Oxford Place in Leeds
Pan-Fried North Sea Cod with Crushed New Potatoes, Lilliput Capers and a Prosecco and Brown Shrimp Sauce - this was one of the best things I've ever eaten

It was my first meal out since last September!

Mozzarella Carozza with a Rich Basil and Tomato Sauce at The Oxford Place in Leeds
Mozzarella Carozza with a Rich Basil and Tomato Sauce - note the side order of Skinny Fries, another must have to share before the main courses

I've had some brilliant meals there before, and this was right up there with the best food I've had. Delicious.

As someone with Coeliac Disease it's always nice to be able to eat out-of-the-home with safety and peace of mind. And when that is combined with delicious and interesting food (such as the Carozza) and a variety of drink options it makes the experience absolutely marvellous.

Tempura Battered Vegetables with Homemade Sweet Chilli Sauce at The Oxford Place in Leeds
Emily had the Tempura Battered Vegetables with Homemade Sweet Chilli Sauce for her starter

The Oxford Place is a must visit restaurant if you're a Coeliac or on a gluten free diet. I've dined there with people with Coeliac Disease as well as people on 'normal' diets and we've always been impressed by the food and service.

Slow Cooked Belly Pork with Baked Apple, Celeriac Purée, Crackling and a Red Wine Jus at The Oxford Place in Leeds
Emily's main course of Slow Cooked Belly Pork with Baked Apple, Celeriac Purée, Crackling and a Red Wine Jus

I'm really looking forward to my next visit already.

Sticky Toffee Pudding at The Oxford Place in Leeds
99.9% of the time I have the Sticky Toffee Pudding for my dessert when I'm at The Oxford Place

Check out The Oxford Place's website for more information.


Vanilla Cheesecake at The Oxford Place in Leeds
Our friend had the Vanilla Cheesecake - and I nabbed a bit of the ice cream. It's so nice to be able to share meals with friend, something that is very tough for people dining gluten free, unless they're somewhere that is 100% like The Oxford Place

Saturday, October 21, 2023

Robotazia - a robot-themed restaurant in Milton Keynes

On our recent trip to Milton Keynes we spotted a robot-themed restaurant in the Theatre District.


Robotazia - a robot-themed restaurant in Milton Keynes

Sadly it was permanently closed.

Robotazia - a robot-themed restaurant in Milton Keynes

What a concept though.

Robotazia - a robot-themed restaurant in Milton Keynes

The restaurant opened in 2020 and closed earlier this year.

Robotazia - a robot-themed restaurant in Milton Keynes

Robotazia - a robot-themed restaurant in Milton Keynes

Robotazia - a robot-themed restaurant in Milton Keynes

Friday, December 09, 2022

Little Chef at Tot Hill

A look at the former Little Chef restaurant at Haughley Park Services in Stowmarket, Suffolk.


The former Little Chef restaurant at Haughley Park Services in Stowmarket, Suffolk

We drove past the old Little Chef on what was once the A14 while on a trip to Suffolk last week.


We used to pass by the roadside restaurant a fair bit on our visits to Ipswich back in the noughties, that was until the A14 at Haughley Park Services was bypassed in 2008.

The former Little Chef restaurant at Haughley Park Services in Stowmarket, Suffolk

This Little Chef restaurant soldiered on until it was closed in September 2012.

The former Little Chef restaurant at Haughley Park Services in Stowmarket, Suffolk

The former Little Chef restaurant at Haughley Park Services in Stowmarket, Suffolk

It's an interesting piece of roadside history.

The former Little Chef restaurant at Haughley Park Services in Stowmarket, Suffolk

We felt very nostalgic during the pandemic and spent time seeing what old brands from our childhood we could still find while out and about on our rather limited travels. We've been to quite a lot of Blockbuster Video stores, Happy Shopper shops, Toys R Us locations, Grainger Games shops, and Woolworths locations over the last couple of years!

Related blog posts:

Monday, April 25, 2022

Gluten free at The Oxford Place in Leeds

We had another superb meal at The Oxford Place.


We revisited our favourite restaurant at the weekend and had an excellent three-course meal.

Gluten free at The Oxford Place in Leeds

It was lovely to return and once again were in the nice position of having lots and lots of choices on the 100% gluten free menu.

Emily and Richard Gottfried
A very happy pair of diners

It really does make a massive difference in being able to visit a restaurant, sit down, place an order, be served, and eat great food without once worrying about cross-contamination. The team at The Oxford Place make sure your dining experience is safe and as normal as can be for someone with Coeliac Disease.

Gluten free at The Oxford Place in Leeds

The Oxford Place really is a must visit restaurant for anyone with Coeliac Disease or gluten intolerance.

We were already thinking about what we're going to order on our next visit before we'd even paid the bill for this meal!

Check out The Oxford Place's website for more information.

Monday, September 20, 2021

Gluten free at The Oxford Place in Leeds

Having my first meal out since March 2020.


We went out for dinner on Saturday. The location was our favourite restaurant - The Oxford Place in Leeds.

It was the first time I've had a meal out since March last year and the first meal Emily and I have had together since our last visit to The Oxford Place in December 2019!

We're very pleased to report that the food and service was superb, it always is.

I had 3.5 courses as I felt that I needed to treat myself. The .5 was a pre-starter starter of a portion of French Fries.

I then had the marvellous Posh Prawn Cocktail, followed by the Sea Bream, with the trio of Ice Creams (Cherry, Rum & Raisin and Honeycomb) for dessert.

Gluten free at The Oxford Place in Leeds

We're really looking forward to our next meal there already.

The Oxford Place is a must visit restaurant for anyone with Coeliac Disease or gluten intolerance.

Check out The Oxford Place's website for more information.


When you have Coeliac Disease dining out can be hard work at the very best of times, let alone during a pandemic!

Luckily we have found a handful of 100% gluten free places that are able to cater to the specific needs of people with Coeliac Disease. As well as The Oxford Place in Leeds there is Off the Wheaten Track in Altrincham, Remedy Kitchen in Manchester, the Wildcraft Bakery in Leeds and Gloof in Soham.

Wednesday, September 08, 2021

A Pizza Hut ghost sign in Ipswich

We spotted this modern day ghost sign on a former Pizza Hut restaurant at the Anglia Retail Park in Ipswich, Suffolk last month.


Former Pizza Hut restaurant at Anglia Retail Park in Ipswich

It is looking likely that a branch of Tim Horton's will be taking over the vacant unit in the future.

Tuesday, September 07, 2021

The Codfather in Sudbury

The latest Godfather-inspired business name and sign we've seen was in Sudbury, Suffolk.


The Codfather in Sudbury

Wednesday, July 21, 2021

Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs

I didn't realise there were Nathan's Famous hot dog restaurants in the UK until I spotted this one on a recent trip to Southampton.

Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs in Southampton

This is one of two Nathan's Famous in the UK - it's in Portswood, Southampton. The other is in Bournemouth.

We saw Nathan's as we were on our way to check out the Only Foods and Sauces food van in the area.

It's always fun finding US brands where you wouldn't expect to see them. We saw quite a few 7 Elevens in Sweden on our last visit.

Thursday, March 11, 2021

My last pre-pandemic meal out

I had my last pre-coronavirus pandemic lockdown meal out a year ago today. In fact it was the last time I dined out full stop as eating 100% gluten free is tough enough at the best of times, let alone during a pandemic.

Gluten free at The Remedy Kitchen in Manchester 11 March 2020
What a fine last meal out this was

The steak and eggs I had at Remedy Kitchen in Manchester were superb and I can't wait until it's safe to get back out and eat there again.

Tuesday, January 05, 2021

I REMEMBER LITTLE CHEF

Do you remember Little Chef?


Many thanks to Megan Clark-Bagnall for sending me this brilliant badge from her mission to visit all of the remaining Little Chef diners in 2017 - a total of 41.

Every Little Chef badge
A very nice addition to my collection

What a quest. Find out more on Megan's Little Chef website.


While the brand was an ever present through my lifetime, I don't remember stopping at Little Chef's, or even Happy Eaters, when my family were on the road for day trips and holidays. Perhaps there weren't any on the routes from Abingdon to Barry Island or Minehead. I do however remember going to the Little Chef in Berinsfield, Oxfordshire for a meal in the late 80's or early 90's.

We also used to regularly pass by the Little Chef in Flimwell while en route to Hastings for minigolf tournaments.

The last Little Chef closed its doors in 2018. Interestingly the Little Chef website is still online.

Friday, August 07, 2020

Happy Eater

Do you remember Happy Eater?


Happy Eater badges
Did you used to stop at Happy Eater, or were you more of a Little Chef fan?

Happy Eater restaurants were once a familiar sight on A-roads in the South East and Midlands of England. Set up in 1973 Happy Eater was created as a competitor to Little Chef.

The brand was eventually bought out by it's big rival Little Chef in the mid-nineties. The last Happy Eater closed its doors in 1997.

Neither brand exists on the roadsides of England anymore.

Interestingly if you visit Mauritius you can still dine at a Happy Eater restaurant!

Lost brands

We've seen traces of a number of old and defunct brands that were big in the 80s and 90s on our travels around the country. These have included Woolworths in Stoke-on-Trent, Woolworths Big W in Edinburgh, Kwik Save in Barrow-in-Furness, Blockbuster Video in Fallowfield, Tandy in Hitchin, RadioShack in Lytham Saint Annes and Toys R Us in Ancoats and Warrington.

Thursday, March 12, 2020

Lunch at The Remedy Kitchen in Manchester

Guess who had lunch* out yesterday?


Marvellous steak and eggs at The Remedy Kitchen in Manchester
Marvellous steak and eggs at The Remedy Kitchen in Manchester

It was delicious.

* technically I should call it 'dinner' since I now live in the North West!

-------

Finding 100% gluten free food.


As someone with Coeliac Disease the challenge to find food that is not only safe, but healthy and tasty when out of the house is massive.



The Remedy Kitchen in Manchester city centre is superb as it's one of the very few 100% gluten free places that are safe for people with Coeliac Disease in the whole of the UK.



I highly recommend a visit.

Check out The Remedy Kitchen website for more information.

The Remedy Kitchen was previously called 3 Squared Cafe and rebranded last year. The name is different, but the approach to serving high quality food is the same.

We first heard about the restaurant last September.

The menu is 100% gluten and wheat free, as well as being diary free and refined sugar free.

Friday, November 01, 2019

Gluten free at The Oxford Place in Leeds

We were recently back in Leeds and so had to have a meal at our favourite restaurant, The Oxford Place.

Gluten free at The Oxford Place in Leeds
The food at The Oxford Place is superb. And 100% gluten free

The menu at The Oxford Place is 100% gluten free. Check out The Oxford Place website for more information.

Luckily we've got some more trips to Leeds planned this year and can't wait for our next meals there.

Friday, November 10, 2017

The Cereal Killer Cafe in Birmingham

While on a recent trip to Birmingham I spotted the Cereal Killer Cafe on the link between New Street Station and the Bull Ring shopping centre!

The Cereal Killer Cafe in Birmingham
The Cereal Killer Cafe just before it opened for breakfast

It's full of great retro items from the 80's and 90's.

The Cereal Killer Cafe in Birmingham
A wall of VHS tapes!

The Cereal Killer Cafe in Birmingham
There are loads of retro and import breakfast cereals on display
  
The Cereal Killer Cafe in Birmingham
WWF breakfast cereal!

The Cereal Killer Cafe in Birmingham
Wocka wocka wocka

The Cereal Killer Cafe in Birmingham
While I couldn't eat any of the (gluten-full) breakfast cereals, I could buy some of the great merch there
  
The Cereal Killer Cafe in Birmingham
And there's a Simpsons arcade cabinet at the cafe - it's a classic game and one I've been playing since 1992!

The Cereal Killer Cafe in Birmingham
I've been trying to complete the game for 25 years and I finally achieved it at the Cereal Killer Cafe (thanks to the Free Play)

Check out the Cereal Killer Cafe website for more info.

Related blog posts:
- Cereal
- Birmingham

Saturday, September 02, 2017

Steaks on a Plane

So, on our way back to Stockport from Wigan we got lost in Bolton as the slip road to the M61 was closed. But I'm glad we did as we spotted a Boeing 737 on the side of the road. It's now used as a restaurant! We had to park up and get a photo.

The Steak Out plane restaurant on Deane Road in Bolton
The Steak Out plane restaurant in Bolton

We eventually made it back home after finding the Highway to Hell (aka the A666).

Related blog posts:
- Bolton
- Restaurant

Wednesday, August 23, 2017

The Oxford Place gluten free restaurant in Leeds

Dining out 100% gluten free at The Oxford Place restaurant in Leeds.


We recently visited Leeds specifically so we could once again dine out at The Oxford Place. The restaurant is superb. We had two brilliant evening meals and a great lunch. There are so many nice touches about dining at The Oxford Place. The service is excellent and the food is delicious. It's brilliant that the food is 100% gluten free and safe for Coeliacs. We're looking forward to our next visit already.

One of three excellent meals I had at The Oxford Place in Leeds over the weekend
One of three excellent meals I had at The Oxford Place in Leeds over the weekend

Visit The Oxford Place website for more info, opening times and menus.

Related blog posts:
- The Oxford Place
- Gluten Free
- Leeds

Tuesday, June 27, 2017

Two more great meals at The Oxford Place in Leeds

Dining 100% gluten free at The Oxford Place in Leeds.


We recently dined at The Oxford Place in Leeds for the first time since the restaurant changed hands. I'm very pleased to report that it is still offering excellent and 100% gluten free food.

Dining 100% gluten free at The Oxford Place in Leeds
I had the Ham Hock Terrine starter

We first dined there when it was called 2 Oxford Place in February last year and have tried to visit the restaurant and Leeds as often as possible since then. It really is that good.

Dining 100% gluten free at The Oxford Place in Leeds
The meal was preceded by an appetiser / amuse-bouche of Gazpacho soup

Once again we had two superb meals. After having starters and mains on Friday were were unable to fit in a dessert. But we did leave room for pudding on the Saturday.

Dining 100% gluten free at The Oxford Place in Leeds
Not the most summery of desserts - but the Sticky Toffee Pudding was absolutely delicious. It was a giant portion too

It was brilliant to feast, safe in the knowledge that the meals were 100% gluten free.

Dining 100% gluten free at The Oxford Place in Leeds
Look at the size of the crackling that came with my Pork Belly main course

Dining 100% gluten free at The Oxford Place in Leeds
Some fresh Oysters to start my second meal at 2 Oxford Place

Dining 100% gluten free at The Oxford Place in Leeds
The best burger I've had in years

There are very few places which offer 100% gluten free options and so it's brilliant to find a restaurant able to cater for people with Coeliac Disease.

Little things like NOT having to explain to the waiting staff that I have a medical condition before ordering, or asking to see a 'special' menu, makes a BIG difference. And eating with the knowledge that there is no risk of cross contamination with any gluten containing ingredients is a relief.

Long may The Oxford Place continue offering diners - Coeliac and otherwise - superb food and service. I really hope some other restaurants take a leaf out of The Oxford Place's book and make the switch to 100% gluten free.

Visit The Oxford Place website for more information, opening times and menus.

We are really looking forward to our next meal there later this summer.

Saturday, September 12, 2015

Minigolf competition at Gilmore's Golf in Newquay

Gilmore's Golf on Tower Road in Newquay, Cornwall is holding a Celebrity* miniature golf tournament on Sunday 20th September! Tee-off for the end of summer charity night is 4pm.

Poster for the Minigolf competition at Gilmore's Golf in Newquay
The tournament at Gilmore's Golf is in aid of the Rosie May Foundation

We played the 18-hole minigolf course on our holiday roadtrip around the south west of England earlier this summer and had a great time.

Photo of Gilmores Golf miniature golf course in Newquay, Cornwall
Emily playing a loooooooong hole at Gilmore's Golf

Gilmore's Golf became the 639th visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Photo of Gilmores Golf miniature golf course in Newquay, Cornwall
An uphill shot on hole 4 at Gilmore's Golf

The tournament is taking place on the eve of Miniature Golf Day too.

Check out the links below for more info on Gilmore's Golf and the minigolf competition.

Links:
Gilmores Golf website
Gilmores Golf on Facebook
Gilmores Golf on Twitter

Related blog posts:
- Gilmores Golf in Newquay
Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
Mini Golf in the South West of England
Christopher Gottfried celebrates seven years of the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour by not playing Minigolf in Newquay, Cornwall
- UK Mini Golf Competitions in 2015
- Mini Golf Days in 2015

Like the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour on Facebook, check out our YouTube channel and follow me and Emily on Twitter.

Sunday, August 16, 2015

Gilmores Golf in Newquay

Playing the Gilmores Golf miniature golf course in Newquay.

Photo of Gilmores Golf miniature golf course in Newquay, Cornwall
Gilmores Golf can be found on Tower Road

The 639th course visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour was the Mini Golf course at Gilmores Golf on Tower Road in Newquay, Cornwall.

Photo of Gilmores Golf miniature golf course in Newquay, Cornwall

The 18-hole Mini Golf layout was the thirteenth played on our tour of the South West of England and the 40th visited during our two-week trip.

Photo of Gilmores Golf miniature golf course in Newquay, Cornwall
At course visit #639

Gilmores Golf became the 376th course played overall on our tour when we had a match on the 9th June 2015. In the contest Emily scored 46 to take the win as I scored 48.

Photo of Gilmores Golf miniature golf course in Newquay, Cornwall

Photo of Gilmores Golf miniature golf course in Newquay, Cornwall

Photo of Gilmores Golf miniature golf course in Newquay, Cornwall

Photo of Gilmores Golf miniature golf course in Newquay, Cornwall

Photo of Gilmores Golf miniature golf course in Newquay, Cornwall

Photo of Gilmores Golf miniature golf course in Newquay, Cornwall

Photo of Gilmores Golf miniature golf course in Newquay, Cornwall

Photo of Gilmores Golf miniature golf course in Newquay, Cornwall

We really enjoyed our visit to Gilmores Golf. The course had only recently reopened under new management and were gearing up for the season. When we first arrived in town we headed along for a look at the course ahead of playing it the next day. We didn't expect the course to be open, but as the concept is to have a bar, restaurant and evening events the course is open morning, noon and night.

Photo of Gilmores Golf miniature golf course in Newquay, Cornwall

Charter member of the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour Christopher Gottfried actually visited the course in 2013 when he spotted a sign for the course while on a surfing holiday.

Photo of Gilmores Golf in Newquay, Cornwall

The course is of the 'Beton' variety of minigolf which normally has a concrete playing surface and metal rails. The Gilmores Golf course has added felt, which makes it more playable considering the wear and tear on the course - it's been on the site since the 1960's! Check out photos of the course below.

Photo of Gilmores Golf miniature golf course in Newquay, Cornwall

Gilmores Golf minigolf course in Newquay, Cornwall

Gilmores Golf miniature golf course in Newquay, Cornwall

Gilmores Golf minigolf course in Newquay, Cornwall

Gilmores Golf minigolf course in Newquay, Cornwall

Gilmores Golf minigolf course in Newquay, Cornwall

Gilmores Golf minigolf course in Newquay, Cornwall

Gilmores Golf minigolf course in Newquay, Cornwall

Gilmores Golf minigolf course in Newquay, Cornwall

Gilmores Golf minigolf course in Newquay, Cornwall

Gilmores Golf crazy golf course in Newquay, Cornwall

Gilmores Golf crazy golf course in Newquay, Cornwall

Gilmores Golf crazy golf course in Newquay, Cornwall

Gilmores Golf crazy golf course in Newquay, Cornwall

Gilmores Golf crazy golf course in Newquay, Cornwall

Gilmores Golf crazy golf course in Newquay, Cornwall

Gilmores Golf crazy golf course in Newquay, Cornwall

Gilmores Golf crazy golf course in Newquay, Cornwall

Gilmores Golf crazy golf course in Newquay, Cornwall

Gilmores Golf crazy golf course in Newquay, Cornwall

Gilmores Golf crazy golf course in Newquay, Cornwall

Gilmores Golf crazy golf course in Newquay, Cornwall

Gilmores Golf crazy golf course in Newquay, Cornwall

Gilmores Golf crazy golf course in Newquay, Cornwall

Gilmores Golf crazy golf course in Newquay, Cornwall

Gilmores Golf crazy golf course in Newquay, Cornwall

Gilmores Golf crazy golf course in Newquay, Cornwall

Gilmores Golf crazy golf course in Newquay, Cornwall

Gilmores Golf crazy golf course in Newquay, Cornwall

Gilmores Golf crazy golf course in Newquay, Cornwall

Gilmores Golf crazy golf course in Newquay, Cornwall

Gilmores Golf crazy golf course in Newquay, Cornwall

Gilmores Golf crazy golf course in Newquay, Cornwall

Gilmores Golf crazy golf course in Newquay, Cornwall

Gilmores Golf crazy golf course in Newquay, Cornwall

Gilmores Golf crazy golf course in Newquay, Cornwall

Gilmores Golf crazy golf course in Newquay, Cornwall

When we visited we chatted to the course owner Elsie who enjoyed hearing about our quest to play all of the UK's minigolf courses. We'd also taken along some of our old postcards showing the course as it looked in the 1970's. It was nice looking at them again on the exact spot, albeit 40 years removed.

Postcard of the Mini Golf course in Newquay, Cornwall (A1E). Harvey Barton Viewcard. Postally unused but dated 16.09.70

Postcard of the Mini Golf course in Newquay, Cornwall (A1E). Harvey Barton Viewcard. Postally unused

For more information, opening times for the minigolf (and the on-site Mexican restaurant) and prices visit the Gilmores Golf website and Facebook page.

During May and June 2015 we visited 62 more courses on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour. Along the way we visited the 600th and 650th courses overall, and the 600th course we've been to in the UK.

Links:
- Gilmores Golf website
- Gilmores Golf on Facebook
- Gilmores Golf on Twitter

Related blog posts:
Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
Mini Golf in the South West of England
Christopher Gottfried celebrates seven years of the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour by not playing Minigolf in Newquay, Cornwall

Like the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour on Facebook, check out our YouTube channel and follow me and Emily on Twitter.