The Chocolate Teapot - North Devon Cafe

I love visiting new cafes and restaurants in my town and supporting independent businesses. Any new cafe which serves hearty portions of cake will grab my attention. After a bit of buzz on Facebook a new cafe called The Chocolate Teapot opened earlier this month.

It was this chocolate dipping platter which caught my eye.

This chocolate sharing platter (£4.95) came with a pot of white chocolate and milk chocolate sauce. The goodies to dip included flapjack, rice-crispy treats, marshmallows, strawberries, chocolate brownie, cinder toffee chunks and a chocolate pencil. 

The platter was lovely, just enough to satisfy my sweet tooth craving, it went down nicely with this hot chocolate which was around £2. 

The hot chocolate consisted of warm milk with liquid chocolate drizzled at the bottom of the glass. It came with a wooden spoon to stir the liquid chocolate with the milk to create a smooth, sweet and creamy drink. 

I also had a prawn sandwich before all the sweet treats (£3.95) while my husband had a toasted sandwich. An observation in terms of service was that it would have been nice to be offered condiments especially with the toasted sandwich. 

The cafe itself has lovely outside seating area which seemed popular with mums and pushchairs. We took Joshua down and sat outside to eat out lunch, he was happy watching the world go by before having his bottle. 

The Chocolate Teapot's menu has a lot of variety and there were some lovely fresh cakes on the counter to choose from. I was impressed they even had gluten free options which a lot of places don't cater for.

I am also eyeing up the Ultimate Hot Chocolate which consists of hot milk and a chocolate cup with Belgian chocolate buttons. You can melt the chocolate in the milk, this kind of DIY is right up my street. The drink also comes with fudge, salted caramel and chocolate as well as a biscuit and marshmallows. 

All in all a lovely place with friendly staff and wide variety of food, drink and delicious cakes.

Sunset cocktail in Devon

My husband and I celebrated our 2nd wedding anniversary on April 13. My mum offered to baby sit Joshua for us so we could go out for a meal. Joshua was born on April 2 and I felt so guilty for leaving him to have supper out but it was only for a couple of hours and he was in great hands. 

We went to a restaurant in North Devon called The Blue and Green which specialises in woodfire pizza and surf and turf which is apt seeing as the restaurant over looks the sea. I kicked off the evening with a non-alcoholic cocktail which was a delicious blend of fruit and fizz. 

To start with we both went for the individually baked Camemberts which were served with ciabatta bread, caramelised onion and salad. The cheese was also spiked with cloves of garlic and rosemary. 

The starter went down a treat because throughout pregnancy I avoided cheeses, including brie and camembert, which were mould-ripened. Isn't funny when you know you can't/shouldn't have a particular food you crave it more. 

For mains Luke had a calzone and I had a sirloin steak with all the trimmings including onion rings, chips, salad, mushroom and creamy sauce, ah, heaven. 

Neither of us could stomach a pudding after the monster meal so we settled the bill and headed to the beach for a stroll. There was the most amazing sunset and there is something calming about breathing in the salty sea air. 

After the walk we decided there was room for pudding so we grabbed a locally made ice-cream on the way home....

Valentine's Day meal: The Bar: Instow: North Devon

My husband was working during the evening on Valentine's Day, we spent the day together and the I spent the evening with one of my friends. 

We went for a meal and cinema date. We had a set three-course supper at a place called The Bar which is in Instow, North Devon.

For a starter, main and pudding it cost each of us around £20, bargain considering we both went for a steak. 

To start with I had the winter vegetable soup which was creamy and warming. My friend had the trio of brie wedges which I was jealous of but because I am pregnant I can't eat this particular type of cheese.  

For mains we both had steak which came with these huge onion rings, chips, tomato, peas and a flat mushroom. Delicious and filling.

For pudding we both plumped for the creme brulee with passion fruit and brandy snap basket. 

Needless to say we were both full to bursting following our supper but I still found space for  a bag of chocolate in the cinema. 

The Bar in Instow is a brilliant place to eat if you are ever visiting the area, I know North Devon is a popular spot for families holidaying during the summer break from school. The bar area downstairs is warm and friendly while the upstairs restaurant area is spacious with a fantastic view of the beach and estuary which joins on to the sea. 

I think I sometimes take living by the beach for granted, I must go more often, walking along the sand is a great way to clear your head and the smell of sea air is invigorating. 

Cook Island Free House: Pub Grub: Lasagna, chips and warm waffles

I love going out to eat, in fact, it is bit of a problem, I need to ease up on my habit! Going out for some warming pub grub after work on a dark and blustery night then heading home to curl up on the sofa is my idea of heaven. 

Recently I went to a place in North Devon called Cook Island which is a family friendly pub near Ilfracombe. 

I went with a friend and we had hunter chicken, lasagna and of course pudding! I had warm waffles with chocolate and caramel sauce and icecream, my friend had sticky toffee pudding and custard.

Despite eating there during the Christmas holidays and the pub being packed with large families our food came out promptly.

The food itself was comforting and filling, I mean, you can't really go wrong with a cheesy lasagna, chips and salad. 

Price wise I couldn't grumble, main courses were around the £14 mark while the puddings were around the £6 mark. 

Which do you prefer? A boozy Saturday night out, or a chilled out put supper?

BOSTON TEA PARTY: Eggs Royale, zucchini fritters, pancakes with maple syrup and bacon

Do you go to a cafe or restaurant in your home town and, without fail, order the same dishes? That is certainly true for me at Boston Tea Party in Barnstaple, North Devon.

This charming cafe makes the best coffees in town, in my opinion. It is where I discovered my love for Chinese Gunpowder green tea as well. When I go for brunch I always order eggs royale which is smoked salmon and poached eggs on muffins with a generous helping of creamy, zesty hollandaise sauce. 

My mum had the pancakes, maple syrup and bacon, I had a sneaky bite, they were tasty!

I also have Boston Tea Party to thank for my love of zucchini fritters (or courgette fritters). This cafe serves them with a delicious harissa mayo.

Boston Tea Party does a wide range of food and afternoon cakes. I have always had my eye on the portobello mushroom burger with gruyer, courgette fritters, tarragon ailoi and side salad. 

The prices are also brilliant for when you are on a budget. Let's face it, a delicious, hot and filling meal out is always better when it doesn't leave your purse trembling. This portobello mushroom burger costs £7.95.

Eggs royale is £6.95, the scotch pancakes are £6.25, while the fritters are £2.75.

For me, Boston Tea Party is just one of those places were you can sit, unwind, and watch the world go by.

Tea on The Green - Triple chocolate caramel cake

I am yet to meet someone who doesn't like tea and cake. Or, cake and coffee, or cake and cake. There is the most gorgeous place in Westward Ho! North Devon called Tea on The Green.

Warm and butter jacket potatoes, doorstop sandwiches, cheesy crumpet medley and the much anticipated weekend cake reveal.

As well as the usual cakes the family-run business whips up weekly "special cakes".

From triple layer chocolate caramel cakes and Oreo cheesecake to cookie dough shortbread and key lime pie. There is something for everyone.

I went there with my husband recently and we had enough food to last us all week. Infact, I was so full, I couldn't finish all my cake, but look at it, the slice was huge! I got them to wrap it up to take home with me. 

I had a prawn sandwich, doorstop style and my husband had a two piece grilled cheese melt with Devonshire gammon.

The interior of Tea on The Green is amazing and unique, I haven't seen anything like it before. There are teapots hanging from the ceiling and an assortment of vintage clocks and black and white pictures.

Every time I go to Tea on The Green it is always full, the place is tiny and people will often wait for hours to get a table. I believe they used to do a winter pudding club in the evening which I would love to sign up for if they reintroduce it this winter.

Where is your fav place for tea and cake?

One Year Wedding Anniversary supper

My husband and I celebrated our one year wedding anniversary on April, 13. I was working that weekend but managed to have a quick bite to eat at restaurant in North Devon called Pig on the Hill. 

 To start with I had Posh Prawn Cocktail - it looked wonderful on the plate and tasted beautiful. There was a crispy king prawn which was covered in a coat of lemonade batter, the salad had Cornish crab meat inside.

Luke had a pate and breaded soldiers - I just love the presentation of the food. We also had a side of home made dough balls.

Then for mains we both had The Pig Burger which consisted of a slow cooked shin of beef, mascapone, Devonshire blue cheese, braised red onion, pancetta and twice cooked chips as well as aioli.

The burger was stunning, tender and tasty, the only item I wasn't keen on was the braised red onion.

I was convinced I could manage room for a pudding too, but by the end of dinner I was so full I couldn't manage another bite. 

All the ingredients in the dishes were made from locally sourced produce, something which I am a huge fan of. 

I have to say eating out is one of my fav hobbies, nothing beats it, especially during a weekend when you don't have to worry about work. You can sit back, relax and just enjoy good company and good food. 

My Wedding - April 13, 2013

I haven't posted in a while, I got back home from honeymoon last night. In the run up to my wedding, which was on Saturday, April 13, I didn't write on my blog. The weeks leading up to the big day are a bit of a blur, there was so much to sort out.  

 

The image below is of Hartland Abbey in North Devon which is where our ceremony took place. We had our wedding breakfast and evening reception at a place which over looks Westward Ho! beach.

This is Alice, one of my bridesmaids, we had three bridesmaids and a bestman and two ushers.

 

I did my own wedding makeup but had a lovely girl from a local salon do our hair.

The picture above is me with the bestman.

These are just a few pictures taken from friends and family, the professional pictures haven't come back yet.

The day itself was wonderful, everything went smoothly, no dramas.

I had a shellac manicure done for the day and I went for a vibrant teal.

If you would like a step by step on how I did my make up, let me know!

The day I met Tom Daley - he speaks Spanish

If you follow me on Twitter you may know I am a journalist at a newspaper in North Devon. I have worked their for four years and have worked in different departments. I started off as editorial assistant before that post became redundant seven months ago. 

I was offered a role as a trainee reporter (I have a BA Hons degree in journalism) covering my own patch. The whole job was, and still is, a steep learning curve. However, something happened last week which was unexpected and last minute. 

I met Tom Daley.

 

As luck would have it, the newsroom was contacted by a teacher at Pilton Community College saying telling us they were hosting a foreign language speaking competition and Tom was representing Plymouth College.

I hot-footed it up to Pilton which is a few moments drive from the NDJ offices. Having been greeted by smiling teachers I was introduced to Tom, who at that point, was still happy to be having his picture taken with other students.

Tom's teacher was happy for me to interview him. As we walked outside, the sound of high pitched screaming schoolgirls almost deafened me. Tom told me how much he enjoyed coming to North Devon for the speaking competition.

I have to say he was a pleasure to talk to, a very humble and down to earth lad. 

Afterwards I went back to work to get the story up on our website, Twitter was going a bit crazy.

Here is a taster on my Tom Daley in North Devon speaking competition story.

The full story will be printed in this week's North Devon Journal including some lovely shots of Tom.

Prezzo in North Devon

It has been a while since I wrote about a supper date! I went to the local Prezzo with one of my oldest friends recently. Prezzo is an Italian restaurant, basically pasta, pizza and they have some amazing chicken dishes too. I never pay full price when I eat at Prezzo, there are so many vouchers floating around for buy one get one free main meals or two main meals for £12 etc.

Here is what we ate:

Deep fried mozzarella and tomato relish (we both had this starter) my friend had the pizza and side salad, I had pasta carbonara. For pudding she had the cheesecake and I had the chocolate fudge cake.

I can't remember exactly the full price of our meal, but we ended up splitting it in half, so it wasn't too expensive. When it comes to eating at chains I am a bit boring and eat pretty much the same food every time I go.

Fish and chip lunch (with a sneaky pudding)

There is a lovely place to eat about 5 mins away from where I work called Cedars Inn. They have a fantastic lunch time menu so a friend and I grabbed a quick bite. We both had fish, chips and mushy peas.

Being the chocolate fiend that I am I chose warm chocolate and walnut brownie with mint ice cream, my friend opted for sticky toffee pudding with custard. Custard is one of those things I just never liked, my mum loves it but I never have. Rice pudding is another one I don't like and above all else I can't stand banoffee pie, I like the offee but I can't stand the ban! As in, I hate bananas. The smell makes me feel a bit icky!

North Devon's Braunton Inn

Luke and I went off to the Braunton Inn for a bite to eat. The Braunton Inn used to be called Tarka Inn, I can't quite remember when they changed the name, but it must have been in the last few months. We had a lovely meal, here is what we ate.

Shared starter of chicken goujons with a side salad, flat bread and a tomato mayo.

We had the same main meal of hunters chicken, chicken breast with BBQ sauce, bacon and cheese. We also had a side of beer battered onion rings.

The location of the pub is lovely, right on the edge of the water, it is fab sitting in the garden during the summer.

The meal (including drinks, coke and an Appletizer) came to around £26, not bad. The service was fantastic, even though it was busy, our waiter was attentive and friendly.