Muriels Kitchen, London 29/08/15

I love a road trip and especially when its in London. Our friends from America were visiting so mum, dad, Tom and I decided to go to London for the day and explore the Natural History Museum and Harrods, basically be typical tourists! And with this ... off course comes eating out at different restaurants! The four of us arrive in Leicester Square and found a cute restaurant right in the centre where we set up camp whilst we waited for our friends to arrive. Muriel's Kitchen is right in the centre of Leicester Square, full of hustle and bustle. As it was such a beautiful day we sat outside with our coffees and had lovely conversation.

Aroma, Bentley Heath, 28/08/15

We have lived in the flat nearly a year and we still hadn't tried our local Indian restaurant, awful I know! But now was the time … as you know Tom sadly lost his best friend a few months ago and we had booked this restaurant for Tom's birthday, but he was too upset to go at the time so a month later we decided to go for what would've been Dave's 35th Birthday. This was a very sad occasion but we toasted to his life and celebrated his birthday with food, just the way Dave would've wanted us to. We went along with Dave's girlfriend Gemma too and I was looking forward to trying the food, Aroma has very good reviews and every time I drive past it is always so busy.

Fish with Chorizo, Samphire & Potatoes

Seabass with Chorizo & Prawns served with Samphire & Crispy Potatoes

This was a delicious weeknight meal - panfried seabass with chorizo and prawns cooked in their own juices, buttery samphire and crispy potatoes. 

Henry Wongs, Harborne, 20/08/15

The wait was over … I was finally going to sample the food and drink at Henry Wong's in Harborne for a blogger evening. I have driven past it many times and seen so many amazing reviews but I had never been. It's rare to find very good Chinese restaurants, so when I was invited for the VIP Blogger Evening to celebrate their 30th anniversary, I couldn't wait. 

Mockingbird, Custard Factory, 18/08/15

Is this the best burger in Birmingham? Read below and find out …

After going to the blogger launch night at The Mockingbird in The Custard Factory, Digbeth I was looking forward to going again and trying more of the food. It has recently been refurbishment and it is located in the middle of The Custard Factory, it is a lovely setting and has gorgeous interior. Loved the Mockingbird sign in lights! The launch event was on the 6th August where we got to sample a few of the dishes on their menu, then Anthony Duffy invited to come back as a table of two and try the menu they had for that day, exciting stuff!

Purnells Bistro, Birmingham, 12/08/15

I have wanted to try Purnell's for ages but can't afford to at the moment, so when I saw online they have a Purnell's Bistro, I was very excited as the menu is very reasonably priced and they offer a Prix Fix Menu for three courses for £20.00 - which is pretty damn good value! The food isn't Michelin Star standard, it is simpler and more relaxed and the prices match. I met my best friend, Matt after work on a weekday and this is where we decided to eat, I was very intrigued and excited to sample the food.

Kayal, Leicester, 09/08/15

Kayal became a favourite of mine in June after going to the Leamington one, this time we ventured to the Leicester branch after watching my mum in her play - Richard III at The Curve Theatre. A group of us booked a table and went to Kayal after the theatre. After how amazing the Leamington one was I couldn't wait to go again, I was hoping it was just as good. Kayal is a South Indian restaurant, offering different sorts of cuisine and it is certainly is different to your usually curry house down the road!

The Crazy Bear, 6 Course Thai Tasting Menu, Oxford 08/08/15

I was so excited for this. I love the chain of Crazy Bear Hotels and have always wanted to go to one. For Sam's birthday me and the girls decided to get a joint present and got her a a 6 course tasting Thai meal at The Crazy Bear Hotel in Stadhampton, Oxford. The hotel is absolutely beautiful, I definitely want to stay in one for an evening. The reception area is inside the red bus, so cool. I couldn't wait to try the food, the menu sounded delicious and I had heard so many good things about this place …

En Place at Six Eight Kafe, Birmingham 07/08/15

After being SO impressed by the previous pop-up restaurants meals, I couldn't wait to try another one.  After attending June and July's. I was so exited to try Augusts!

I have been blown away by all of their pop-ups but this one really blew my mind, it was exceptional from start to finish and Mike & Josh have grown so much as chefs and their techniques are improving by the month. They work from a tiny kitchen with hardly any appliances and yet they still manage to produce beautiful food.

Cajun Fish with Tropical Salsa

I hadn't cooked anything picture worthy in a while, but this dinner I was very much looking forward to cooking.

Cajun Fish, Sweet Potato Mash & Tropical Salsa

I was pretty proud of this meal as I didn't follow any recipes,  I just went by taste.

Ingredients:

• Any white fish - I used Hake
• Cajun seasoning
• Sweet Potatoes
• Butter
• Lime
• Mango
• Pineapple
• Coriander
• Red Onion
• Spring Onion
• Salt & Pepper

Firstly, I made sure the fish was completely dry (which is important otherwise the seasoning won't stick to it.) I then covered the fish in flour, then sprinkled cajun seasoning over it with salt and pepper and left to marinate for a while.

Secondly, I prepared the sweet potato mash by microwaving 4 sweet potatoes for about 10 minutes. I then scooped the potato from the skin and put into a glass bowl with some butter and milk and mashed until smooth. I left this to one side, ready to microwave when ready to serve.

Thirdly, I prepared the salsa - I cut the pineapple and mango into small cubes and mixed together in a bowl with some thinly sliced red onion and spring onions. I then chopped up coriander into it and mixed together with the zest of half a lime. I left this in the fridge until I was ready to serve.

Then I cooked the fish - I put some coconut oil in a pan and heated it up, I then put the skin into the sizzling pan for about 2-3 minutes each side, until browned.

Whilst the fish was cooking, I put the sweet potato mash in the microwave and put the salsa onto the plates. I then cut the lime into bits and put them on the plates ready for serving.

Once the sweet mash had finished, I put a spoonful on each plate, put the fish on top and viola! 

Was a delicious meal, it had the taste of the Caribbean about it and it was very healthy - bonus! 

Santhi, Leicester 02/08/15

I love going to new restaurants, its so exciting and this time was an Indian Restaurant in Leicester, Santhi. My mum was playing Margaret in Richard III at The Curve Theatre in Leicester and this particular evening me and my dad met mums family at the theatre for some dinner afterwards, as we were with some vegetarians and gluten free people we had to be careful about where we chose, after doing some research, this restaurant seemed to accommodate for dietary requirements well.