Edinburgh's Christmas

Now I may be a Jack Russell but I like Crimble as much as the next dog.  My favourite place to spend Christmas has to be Edinburgh when Princes Street Gardens are transformed into a winter wonderland and this year is no exception!






Whether it's the bustle of The German Market with all the accompanying Christmas smells of spicy Glühwein, sizzling sausages and delicious crepes that takes your fancy or the ever popular Ice Rink in East Princes Street  Gardens with the 3D Cinema featuring 'Rocket The Reindeer' where you can have a great days fun and frolics for the whole family, you know that Christmas in Edinburgh is the place to be.

Why not visit the Edinburgh's Christmas Website where you can plan how you're going to spend your time in 'Auld Reekie'.  

While you're in Edinburgh don't forget to have a wander down to The Grassmarket.  Even when the Festival and Fringe aren't on, Edinburgh at night is an absolute delight with a host of pubs clubs and restaurants to choose from and many of the best are within a short walk from Princes Street.  

The Witchery Dining Room

If it's dark, delicious gothic splendour you're after you have to visit The Witchery just a few yards away from the entrance to The Castle for a dining 

experience you'll never forget.

It has developed a world-wide reputation for its exceptional dining experience, showcasing the very best of Scotland's produce in the most magical of settings. Now in its fourth decade, the Witchery is a Scottish fine dining landmark, much loved by loyal locals, its celebrity fans and visitors to the city alike.

You wont get stung here.....

If it's a great pub you're after situated in the historic heart of Grassmarket, The Beehive sits in the shadow of The Castle and boasts a history going back around 400 years. With a drinks license thought to have existed since it was a 16th Century coaching inn, the present building replaced The Beehive Hotel in the 1860's. It incorporates a main bar, a satellite bar (The Honeypot), a 100 seat dining room, a meeting room and one of the best gardens in the city centre.

You wont have a
ghost of a chance

For an unforgettable, scary and spooky experience don't forget to book an award winning Cadies & Witchery guided ghost tour. Established in 1984, the Cadies have been scaring people from all over the world almost every single night since, and their walking tours have become one of Edinburgh's must-see attractions. 

For a truly inspiring shopping experience, look no further than Edinburgh’s Grassmarket.  From The Castle come down the Castle Wynd or Upper Bow steps to the Grassmarket for some retail therapy that gives you a true taste of modern Scotland.

The area is full to brimming with Scottish designers, artisans and independent merchants selling everything from gourmet food and drink and luxurious knitwear to cutting edge fashions, antique books and unique gifts. 

So have I convinced you yet.....not only is The Grassmarket area of Edinburgh a joy for the avid tourist, The Grassmarket Hotel is the jewel in it's crown.....and if you are heading to Edinburgh for The Christmas and New Year festivities, I can only offer you this piece of advice from past 

experience.....

BOOK EARLY!

For the best rates it's always better to contact them directly through their website and if you're really lucky you'll catch one of the monthly offers of 10 'Mates Rates' rooms at £1 (are they mental) which you can find out about when you subscribe to their mailing list.

Mariachi.....Authentic Mexican food in Edinburgh's Old Town

There are any number of Mexican Restaurants in Edinburgh and out of the many I've visited very few can actually live up to their boast of 'authentic Mexican cooking'. 


The food in Mariachi on Victoria Street by The Grassmarket on the other hand is as authentic as any I've had south of San Francisco, and that includes Casa Guadalajara in San Diego.




Mariachi is a family run restaurant which has been in business for over ten years and a favourite of mine at Festival time as it would have to be exceptionally busy for the ever pleasant staff not to find you a table.


They are committed to sourcing the finest quality ingredients and their food represents many of the different styles of Mexican cooking, whether it be traditional 'family style' home-cooked or street food or the more stylish 'Californian' favourites such as Burritos, Nachos and  of course the ever popular sizzling Fajitas.





They also stock a wide range of imported Mexican beers, Premium Tequilas and mix a mean cocktail!

So if it's for a celebration, a family meal, a romantic rendezvous or just to wind down after a hard day at the office why not let the staff at Mariachi take care of you.




 

Don't take my word for it, here's some reviews from the mighty Trip Advisor.....

“Excellent service & Fantastic food”

Reviewed 2 October 2012

This photo of  Mariachi 
is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Visited here on Sat night, we were a group of 9, each one of us were impressed with the food and the service and left there feeling very happy, we all had something different, personally I had the Fajitas and they were the best I have ever tried. Would definately recommend it if you are looking for a nice Mexican...More 

“Fantastic food and service”

Reviewed 5 October 2012

This photo of Mariachi
is courtesy of TripAdvisor

I recently visited Edinburgh with a large group of friends. We were slightly worried about dining out due to our vast numbers, however Mariachi were very accommodating and provide us with excellent food and service. We were all very impressed with the excellent authentic Mexican fare, and I couldn't get enough of the grilled steak burrito. Our meals were washed...
More 

                                                            Mariachi Christmas Menu 

                                               Three course dinner              £22pp 

                                    

                                                       Three course lunch (before 5pm)    £16pp

Starters

nachos

corn torillas / pickled jalapenos / white cheddar / salsa pico de gallo / sour creme

buffalo wings

jumbo chicken wings / chipotle chile / bar-b-que glaze

ceviche

lime-cured fish (ask for today’s choice) / onion / cilantro / fresh jalapeno / tomato

chiles rellenos

whole japaleno peppers / cream cheese / coriander/ garlic / crispy batter (HOT!)

Mains

enchiladas roja

marinated chicken or roasted vegetables

rolled, soft corn tortillas / rancheros sauce / cheese / sour creme

chimichanga

marinated chicken or slow cooked chilli beef

deep fried flour tortilla parcel / cheese / salsa pico de gallo / sour creme

soft tacos

marinated chicken or bbq pulled pork

white corn tacos / shredded lettuce / salsa roja / sour creme 

fajita

chicken breast, grilled steak or vegetables

sizzling platter / peppers / onion / mariachi seasoning / sour creme / cheese/ jalapenos / salsa roja

chili con carne

spiced, slow cooked, scottish beef mince / mexican rice / sour creme

chicken breast

garlic and lime marinated chicken breast / mexican rice / mixed leaf salad

steak £4 supplement

10oz aged scottish sirloin / potato wedges / mixed leaf salad

Dessert

key-lime cheesecake

with raspberry coulis and sorbet

warm chocolate pudding

with vanilla ice cream and raspberry coulis

ice cream

vanilla / chocolate / raspberry

sorbet

lemon / raspberry / mango 

If you have any special dietary requirements please ask your server for advice before ordering.

Please note a 10% service charge will be added at your discretion.

Call them on..... 

01316230077

Mon	Open	5pm - Late
Tues	Open	5pm - Late
Wed	Open	5pm - Late
Thu	Open	5pm - Late
Fri	Open	12 Noon - Late
Sat	Open	12 Noon - Late
Sun	Open	2pm - 10pm

Through The Looking Glass.....A horror film by Craig Griffith

Now out on DVD is the Indie produced horror film 'Through The Looking Glass'.  It's a UK production by Cardiff born Writer/Director Craig Griffith.  Filmed in Compton House in  Devon which is over 1000 years old and was mentioned in The Doomsday Book. It's billed as one of the most haunted houses in the country and in-keeping with that background the film is a deeply dark psychological thriller guaranteed to have you looking over your shoulder from the first scenes. 



'The Artist lives alone in a old house in the country. Once prolific he is now at odds with his work and unable to paint.  He discovers a  mysterious package on his doorstep, finds a strange mirror within and soon becomes wracked by horrific visions.  Beguiled by the mirror his work becomes fuelled by the visions and he paints like never before'.  


'Disturbing things soon begin to happen to him and to those who enter the house.  Escalating with each vision, with each brush stroke the mirror’s grip on him slowly tightens. Can he untangle himself from the mirror's creeping influence before it is too late'?

The film stars Paul McCarthy, Jonathan Rhodes, Mike Langridge and Ros Povey. It's Produced by Craig Griffith, William Charles & May Gwen, Executive Producers are Mike Pringle & Mark Stevenson and is  written and directed by Craig Griffith.  

In 2007 the film won The Swansea Bay Film Festival, was nominated for The Everglades International Film Festival of South Africa and was screened at the 1Xth WT OS Norway International Film festival and in 2008 it was selected for The International Film Festival England.

I've included part of an interview Director Craig Griffith gave to the excellent horror review website The Evil Eye the rest of which can be read by a quick click on the link.....

Craig Griffith, Writer/Director of 'Through The Looking Glass', talked to us recently about the movie and what it was like to film in such a daunting yet intriguing environment. So pull up a chair, turn out the lights and read the fascinating interview here:-

Thank you for joining us today Craig to talk about your film Through the Looking Glass. 

It’s a pleasure. Thanks for having me.

For those people who haven’t seen ‘Through the Looking Glass’ how would you describe it? 

Through The Looking Glass is a horror of the mind. A dark psychological thriller, challenging, thoughtful and atmospheric.  It’s a haunted house movie that explores the nature of obsession and how it can lead to a downward spiral of destruction..... 

You can find more reviews and information on the film, cast and crew on The Workshop Presents and The Looking Glass websites or The Workshop Presents and The Looking Glass Facebook pages.  Also you can follow the film's Director Craig Griffith on Twitter and get an insight into Craig and the film on his blog Workshop Craig and of course  you can buy your very own copy of this award winning film from Amazon from the 31st October 2012.

CRAIG GRIFFITH - DIRECTOR/WRITER

---

Craig is an award-winning director born in Cardiff, Wales 1969. He became interested in filmmaking after he was given his first Super 8 camera for his eleventh birthday and set about making "film stars" of all his family and friends.

He joined the Orbit Youth Theatre Company in his teens gaining his first experience of acting, writing, directing and many other aspect of story telling.

His first professional job was as Director of Photography for an independent production company called White Elephant. Here he shot educational adaptations of the plays of William Shakespeare.

In 1998 he graduated from the Surrey Institute of Art and Design with a BA Hon's Film Degree and his short film LITTLE BLUE SPOT won awards and played the festival circuit inc. the BBC short film festival.

Next he became a Freelance Runner and soon progressed to Production Assistant. He was then hired by Lee Lighting to run their Kino-Flo department and working on large-scale films at Shepperton and Pinewood Studios made him more determined to direct.

He continued to hone his skills as a director, making several short films, music promos and test commercials.

In 2000 Craig signed to London Management where he developed several scripts. He later left and signed to Renting Eyeballs where his stint as a music video director saw promo’s aired on MTV.

Next Craig set up his own production company The Workshop Presents to develop a slate of feature film projects beginning with THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS. This award winning film is a dark psychological thriller made for £6K and was picked up by US distributor Goliath Arts for worldwide rights and has since screened around the world.

His last project NIGHTVISION was co-funded by Channel 4 and stars Keith Allen, Ray Quinn and Shazad Latif and has just wrapped.

He has just begun work on his next project a road movie entitled THE LONG ROAD due for completion later this year.

In addition Craig is currently developing several new projects inc. a horror thriller called EVOLUTION CELL, a comedy drama for Paper Chase Films called STRAIGHT AS AN ARROW and a three-part TV drama entitled HOME SWEET HOME in collaboration with Corkscrew Production. He also co-founded Go Faster Stripe directing/producing live comedy DVDs by artists such as Stewart Lee, Richard Herring & Robin Ince.

Filmography

Features:

THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS - Director/Writer: Distrib – Goliath Arts.

Winner best horror SBFF 2007.

THE LONG ROAD – Road movie Shooting

EVOLUTION CELL – Thriller in development

STRAIGHT AS AN ARROW – Comedy drama in development

TRANSMEDIA:

NIGHTVISION - Channel 4 staring Keith Allen, Ray Quinn and Shazad Latif

TV:

PICTURESHOW – Sitcom in development

HOME SWEET HOME – Drama in development

Shorts:

LITTLE BLUE SPOT - Director/Writer: Winner of Best Student Film and Best Comedy at the 1997 Surrey Film Festival

Ladies & gentlemen the king has left the building - Director/Writer

THE WRONG NUMBER - Director/Writer

SWITCHCARD KILLER - Director/Writer

DEBRIS - Director/Wrier

THE WEEKEND – Writer

Teacup on Thomas Street.....one of Manchester's finest!

                                              

 

Ok, so you've done the shopping in Manchester and you're trying to think of somewhere different for food and a cuppa but you're surrounded by the ordinary..... look no further than Teacup on Thomas Street in the city's Northern Quarter for delicious breakfasts, lunches, evening meals plus a large selection of cakes and loose leaf teas and a cracking cup of coffee (two shots in every cup).


Teacup on Thomas Street will feature in The Good Food Guide 2013 and they couldn’t be prouder. It's the UK’s best selling restaurant guide and is a trusted list of the best producers, restaurants, chefs, cafés and eateries across the UK.  The Good Food Guide is written entirely independently, following customer recommendations and journalist reviews.


They're grateful to all of their customers, whose constructive feedback has helped shape their business, and whose recommendations have helped them to get noticed by such a respected institution. The Good Food Guide sets a benchmark of quality, and they're honoured to be recommended in the new edition.

Now down to the important stuff.....the food!  From breakfast to supper they have a delicious menu to suit the tastes of even the most discerning diner.  How about kicking off with their 'Scrambled Deluxe'.....a perfect start to any day.  Creamy scrambled eggs on sourdough toast with piperade and delicious smoked Gnome Hat peppers.  A Basque delight!



If it's lunch you're after then their 'cheeky' Moo Pie (minus the horns and hooves) on the left is the perfect cure for the Autumn blues.  Longhorn beef in a buttery pastry, served with creamy mash and root vegetables.  Desperate Dan would love it!  

Or on the right, how about Catalan Sausage Roll with sweetly smoked sausage wrapped in flaky puff pastry, served with a rich bean ragu and a crisp fragrant salad.  Just ever so slightly a cut above Greggs!




Now as the day goes on and you're thinking of teatime why grill at home when you could be eating a tasty Rarebit Chutney on Doorstep Toast at theirs with a nice cup of loose leaf tea served hot or chilled.

Did I mention the cakes?  They offer a huge selection of cakes, cookies, muffins and sweet pastries cooked with love in the Teacup Bakery and a new list is presented for your pleasure and indulgence every day.  

Wherever possible all ingredients are locally sourced. organic and fair trade.  Your server will be able to provide you with the provenance of any item on the menu and where they can't source the best option that item will have been withdrawn from the menu temporarily, such is their commitment to customer satisfaction and sustainable sourcing.

Book Teacup for your Christmas party!

£20 for two courses and a Christmas cocktail
Passionate about refreshing old favourites and reviving British classics, their chefs have created a Christmas menu which gives a Teacup twist on traditional Christmas dishes.
Try the Gobble Gobble Pie for a slice of Christmas lunch – juicy turkey & cranberry wrapped in flaky puff pasty, served with root veg, creamy sage mash and gravy. Or tuck into the Mistletoe & Swine; rich pork sausages wrapped in pancetta blankets, served in a crispy Yorkshire pud with apricots and black pudding.  If you’re already tired of turkey sandwiches why not try the Christmas Momos – crispy Himalayan dumplings filled with root veg, tofu and festive spices. Served with seasonal greens, curry sauce and crunchy Christmas Quavers.




Christmas dishes are available everyday at lunchtime, and evening service from 6.30pm Wed to Sat.

Click here to view the full festive menu.

They're offering a Christmas party package, perfect for work’s-dos or large get togethers. £20 for two courses and a Christmas cocktail.

Spaces are limited so get in touch with them on..... christmas@teacupandcakes.com and 0161 832 3233 to arrange your party.

Now the downside is me being a Jack Russell is I'll have to sit outside tied to a lamp post while the old dears go in and stuff their faces.....just hope they bring me a doggie bag with some of that Gobble Gobble and a slice of cake.....

Teacup on Thomas Street

53-55 Thomas Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester M4 1NA, United Kingdom

Tea Room, Coffee Shop, Café

About our maps

Get directions

+44 161 832 3233   @teacupandcakes   teacupandcakes.com  

Baked-to-order Madeleines 

coming soon to.....

Teacup on Thomas St

The cake connoisseurs at Teacup on Thomas St have come up with the perfect winter warmer for the cooler Autumn weather. 
Every Wednesday (and Wednesday’s only!) their expert chefs will bake French Madeleines fresh to order, serving them hot from the oven while you wait.
Madeleines are lightly fragranced French sponge cakes, and are loved for their delicate flavour and soft texture. Madeleines will be served with a rich French hot chocolate.






Madeleine Wednesdays will launch at the Manchester Food & Drink Festival 2012. Check out their pop-up stall in Albert Square from Saturday 22nd September. 







For more information 
on Manchester Food & Drink Festival 2012 visit foodanddrinkfestival.com.

Teacup nominated as ‘Casual Dining Venue of the Year’ at Manchester Food & Drink Festival Awards 2012

They're delighted to announce that they have been nominated as ‘Casual Dining Venue of the Year’ at the Manchester Food and Drink Festival 2012.
Awards are granted through a combination of customer votes and secret judging.

Please help them win by casting your vote HERE.

Manchester Food & Drink Festival is the UK’s biggest celebration of food and drink, and will celebrating it’s 15th festival this year. They're honoured to have been part of the festival in previous editions, and they're going to be there cooking up something special once again this year.