Showing posts with label food. Show all posts

Friday, 23 November 2012

Café bocboc.....the perfect place to meet and eat.....

Opened in 2010 and situated in Eccleston, St Helens Café bocboc's aim was to provide a European style coffeehouse with an enjoyable and relaxing atmosphere for their customers to enjoy, and boy have they succeeded!

Café bocboc is a unique business in itself and proving to be a destination venue to eat and meet. It's the first and original coffeehouse, ice cream parlour and patisserie to be established in St Helens and the surrounding area.

The image and décor is based on creating a modern cosmopolitan establishment, providing something exclusive, elegant, yet still achieving a friendly and relaxed atmosphere for their customers to enjoy.

Their concept is unique in this area as they combine specialty Italian coffees, fresh cuisine made from the finest fresh (locally sourced where possible) produce by two qualified Chefs, Luxury ‘Award Winning’ Ice Cream (the Rum 'n' Raisin is to die for) and irresistible desserts.

They use a selection of local suppliers to provide fresh produce and ingredients. They constantly search for other suppliers and give other business the chance to offer their produce, which in turn helps them to regularly change the menu and to provide excellence with 'elan. That, combined with the qualified Chefs provides the perfect match to offer creative and delicious food, a selection of beverages, old fashioned drinks and the luxury desserts on offer.

Bocboc are confident that their great food and quality coffee, served by trained and friendly staff will make Café bocboc a special place to meet, eat, relax and socialise with family and friends. Light breakfast, Seasonal salads, homemade soups, luxury sandwiches created from fresh, in-house baked bread served with hand carved meats are just some of the highlights from their menu.

Not forgetting the kids, as they have a selection of meals dedicated to providing healthy, yet appealing choices. Always looking to take advantage of seasonal produce, this is reflected in the menu and so as the seasons change, you’ll see the menu and specials board updated on a regular basis.

Their blend of coffee is unique as it's roasted to their specification and provided fresh on a regular basis to give that perfect elegant flavour to suit all. The result, a warm fresh flavoured espresso produced from high quality coffee beans and is the perfect selection to suit the wide range of coffees on offer.

They have a local award winning ice cream supplier – Cheshire Farm Ice Cream and the brand name speaks for itself as Cheshire farm take pride in producing fresh, high quality ice cream in a range of flavours to suit all.

In the café they offer an extensive range of Cheshire farm products. Traditional vanilla, strawberry and chocolate, sit alongside luxurious honeycomb, Maltese and toffee fudge – adult favourites include stem ginger, mango and Bailey’s.

So, you can complement your choice of coffee and keep the children happy with an excellent selection of ice cream!

The selection of patisseries are as exquisite to look at as they are to taste. They're elegant, delicious and comparable whith any found in a fine dining restaurant. Dressed to perfection with cream and seasonal fruits, they're a truly luxurious accompaniment to a coffee or the perfect way to end a meal.

If that's not enough they have luxury collection of ‘flowerpot’ muffins, rich fruit filled granola, sweet pastry chocolate twists and traditional scones served with cream and jam. This list goes on, but what you can be certain of is that they'll have an indulgent treat to satisfy everyone!

Apr 14, 2012 by Danielle Whitby

Bright, friendly and gorgeous food :-) perfectly located and very handy for a Saturday treat or catch up with friends after the school run!

My children love it .. Even my 2 year old asks to go! Love it and would tell anyone who would listen to me :-))

Response: thank you very much for your comments

Superb

Nov 24, 2011 by clare

superb cafe and we like it so much that we will come back a again and again and agian

Response: thank you

Fresh food on offer

Sep 06, 2011 by M Scott

Excellent choice of fresh, succulent meals, pleasant decor and friendly enagaging staff - well done. Provides a stylish and vibrant focal point which amalgamates good food and good conversation.

Response: Once again, its so rewarding to hear nice comments like this. Thank You

Community Love this place

Aug 31, 2011 by A Stahler

Excellent, staff always helpful. Nice place to walk to and have lovely food. Regenerated the Eccleston community ...provided a heart to the village. Long awaited.

Response: We appreciate your kind words and our aim is to provide a place for the community to socialise. Thank You

Excellent Place

Aug 09, 2011 by S Tabern

Lovely, lively place to enjoy lunch/snack, friendly staff, superb food, excellent choice and value for money. Provides the community with an upmarket venue which caters for all ages.

Response: Thank you for your valuable visit and see you again soon.

Excellent Place to Eat

Aug 01, 2011 by I Swift

Excellent, good value/service, pleasant surroundings and a godsend....somewhere decent and child friendly for the people of Eccleston. Made the district more attractive and appealing to all ages - nice surroundings and good value and quality food.

Response: Really glad you enjoyed the visit to cafe bocboc. Thank you

bocboc is the place to be

Jul 26, 2011 by H Miller

I really enjoy coming to Bocboc, its a welcoming place, lovely, clean and stylish. Food and service are excellent. A really nice meeting place giving Eccleston a 'village feel'. Easy to find from the A580..St Helens needs more quality cafes and restaurants.

Response: Glad you enjoyed it and hope to see you again. Thank You

Really Nice Place

Jul 23, 2011 by J Beech

Wonderful, Staff and service are very good and friendly. The food is very good, the ambience is just right and the decor is bright , fresh and contemporary. Its a great meeting place to meet with friends and relax.

Response: Your comments mean a lot to us as a business.

thank you

Cafe bocboc168 Kiln Lane St Helens, Merseyside, WA10 4RB UK enquiries@cafebocboc.com • 01744 24480

Friday, 2 November 2012

St Helens Feature.....Part 1

As a relative newcomer to St Helens, Ralph has decided to take a walk around and feature some of the venues, businesses and community life that are available and that make St Helens the place to be.....Now the obvious starting place is Langtree Park but seeing as Ralph likes his music it's got to be The Citadel Theatre.

The Citadel building has a fascinating history, and is today rated by the Theatre Trust of Great Britain an extremely rare survivor of the early British music hall. The building which is home to The Citadel today was originally constructed in 1861. It was commissioned by a local solicitor, Mr Thomas Haddock and was designed by architects E Beattie & Sons. In 1861 the building stood opposite a school and surrounded by rows of Victorian terrace houses. It's gone through several guises since and opened in it's current format in 1988.

In 2009 The Citadel celebrated its 21st birthday. In that time they had achieved an awful lot. This anniversary provided an ideal time to highlight their reputation for being the place to come and see something extraordinary, engaging and emergent, with past performers including Candy Staton, The Verve, Kiki Dee, Midge Ure, Geno Washington, The Stone Roses, Oasis, Peter Kay, Dave Spikey, John Bishop, Alan Carr, Paul O Grady, Happy Mondays, The Bluetones, Nine Below Zero, Ralph McTell, Wishbone Ash, Jah Wobble, Hazel O'Connor, Dr Feelgood, Rich Hall, Sean Hughes, Jo Brand and Jenny Éclair to name but a few.

Today The Citadel is as vibrant as ever and providing an eclectic array of talent. Find out what's on at The Citadel here.....

Now if you've been to a show then why not pay The Pacifica-Cantonese Restaurant a visit.....

They have taken the most well-known and popular dishes from parts of China and adapted the various styles to their own recipes and created an extensive A la Carte Menu. The combination of Dim Sum, a great choice of vegetarian dishes and classics mixed with the more unusual waft temptingly past you. A delicious menu, cool relaxed interiors and efficient service.

The Pacifica-Cantonese has staked its claim as a premier destination restaurant in this buzzing part of town.

Still looking to finish off your night? Then head to The Zoo Bar where you can hit the dance floor 'til the early hours of the morning.

★★★ It's FRIDAY!!! ★★★ They're open until 3am TONIGHT!!! ★★★ Playing Chart, Indie, Dance, R&B, Classics and all your big party tunes! ★★★

★★★ IT'S SATURDAY!!! ★★★ Open until 3am ♪ ♫ ♩ ♬ Playing Chart, Indie, Dance, R&B, Classics and all your big party tunes! ♪ ♫ ♩ ♬ PLUS Zoo Lounge - A touch of class mixed with funky world beers!

Blackrock Ceramic Knives.....a sharp buy

So there I was Twittering away when Black Rock Knives tweeted about the benefits of ceramic knives over your trusty stainless steel blade. Now being a Jack Russell I was sceptical as ever and being the proud possessor of a set of Michael Chiarello's NapaStyle Santoku knives that I could shave my coat off with I challenged their assertion.

Well low and behold two days later the postman brought a Black Rock Knife to my kennel.....what's the chances! Now it's Jack Russell by breed inquisitive by nature so I went and grabbed the nearest yellow pepper and started slicing.....and low and behold they're probably the sharpest knife in the box! If you're looking to julienne paper thin then one of these bad boy's is for you.

BlackRock® ceramic knives are a market leader in high quality ceramic knives, with their origins in the Far East it's amazing that these knives have been kept a secret in Europe for so long. Once the reserve of professional chefs and now available to all.
The blade is produced using the finest quality pure zirconium oxide ( also known as Zirconia), a material that is extremely hard, wear resistant and chemically inert. It is important to highlight that our pure compound comes from Japan which is considered the best available and is produced by one of the oldest manufacturers of this product in the world.

Zirconium oxide has a hardness second only to diamond.This produces a product with an ultra-sharp blade.BlackRock blades are hand sharpened at the factory, unlike many mass produced models which are done by machine.This gives our knives a superior blade edge.

All BlackRock® ceramic knives come with a protective sheath to ensure the blade maintains it's optimum performance. The ceramic blade is stain & microbe resistant and cannot rust. It leaves no metallic taste or smell on foods and you'll also notice that fruit and vegetables stay fresher for longer when cut and do not turn brown as quickly. The BlackRock® range of ceramic knives goes from a small 3" blade through to a 7" blade at 1" intervals and we also offer a ceramic peeler.

You can't put them in the dishwasher but as they're so easy to clean that's not a problem, and for me the only disadvantage is you can't use them on their side for crushing garlic as you might crack the blade. However that's a minor moan as they're so sharp they will cleanly slice very thinly and wont need sharpened for years. It does also reduce browning when cutting lettuce and I did notice a marked reduction in tears when I used it to slice an onion!

Pricewise they're very competitive with knives of a lesser standard of cutting ability which makes them an absolute bargain and whilst I'm not sure they'd be robust enough for a commercial kitchen, they are ideal for domestic use. Best value for money is the three piece 5", 6" and 7" set at £59.99. Don't just take my word for it.....

Julie Brice-

" I have been most impressed by my ceramic knife; it glides through vegetables much better than my old steel knife. (I used to use a steak knife for tomatoes!) And best of all it doesnt need sharpening. Now Ive just got to convince my husband to buy me the set!"

Tracey Howell

"Absolutley loving my blackrock knives!! when i mentioned them to a friend she asked if it passed the tomato test? she explained how she hates knives that squish rather than cut,so i tried myself.And they certainly pass with flying colours!!Youve gotta try them!!Brilliant!"

Margaret Mary Devaney

"Amazingingly sharp!!! LUCKY TO HAVE TEN FINGER TIPS INTACT! Cooking made easy! x"

Stuart Thompson

"I bought the 4" knife to try out these knives and to see if they lived up to the claims , I have since purchased the 3 set and so have 2 of my friends as they loved mine so much". keep your fingers out the way though as they take no prisoners "

Fergus Martin - Executive Chef was given a 7" Knife to trial for us and these are his thoughts:

"Very Sharp and good for all general veg prep apart from Aubergines as they tended to stick to the blade. Very good for lettuce as the ceramic blade reduced oxidization"

"Good for cutting small peice of meat but not as good on large pieces, very good for fish once it had been filleted"

"Cheese and dairy was very very good"

"Texture and comfort of handle was very good for long tasks"

" These knives could certainly be used in large professional enviroments although they could get abused and damaged.
They are perfect for the domestic market and my wife loved it and now uses it all the time "

Karen Bright

"These knives are amazing I use mine almost every day "

Tuesday, 23 October 2012

Vicars Cafe Bistro.....Social Enterprise at it's best.....

Having looked at the Saltaire Festival last year one of the local eateries took my eye. Vicars Cafe Bistro is a busy cafe in the very heart of the famous Saltaire World Heritage site which is run with a Christian outlook and a vision to serve the community, aiming to encourage people to look at Christianity in a different light and recently it achieved Social Enterprise status (businesses whose prime purpose is social, who operate ethically and are democratically owned and governed).

Alongside the busy Café they run an evening Bistro on Fridays and Saturdays. A selection of seasoned dishes (including meat, fish, and vegetarian options) are available, with a menu which changes on a monthly basis. From a table for one to a group of 24, they can cater to your needs so if you’re planning a celebratory meal out, why not choose Vicars?

If you're looking for a recommendation for any eatery then what more could you ask for than a visit from a Michelin Star chef.....Alan Murchison visited the cafe back in May and cooked up a storm.

He's executive chef of L'Ortolan, a restaurant in Shinfield near Reading with a Michelin star, three AA rosettes and 8/10 in The Good Food Guide.

As Managing Director of 10 in 8 Fine Dining Group, he's set himself a goal to open 10 Michelin star restaurants by 2018.

They host several group events in the Red Room Lounge, such as the popular weekday Mum and Baby Groups, ‘Knitterati ’ knitting sessions, and weekend Storytelling group 'Tell Me Another' . The Red Room is also available for local artists to exhibit their work, and the space is available to hire for events. They proudly continue to support the efforts of local events and groups such as the Arts Trail and Saltaire Festival.

They support the Red Fund a charity working to aid HIV and Aids in Zimbabwe. As much as possible their goods are sourced locally or Fair Trade with cakes baked on site and food prepared fresh for each customer. They are always keen to hear new ideas of how to create community within the area.

As a Cafe they are open Monday, Wednesday - Saturday between 10-5pm. And as a 5 course meal Bistro on Friday and Saturday nights from 7:30pm ..... (booking is essential for the evenings).

So if you're local or just visiting, nip in for a cuppa and a chat, find out what they're about or even join in, they'll be more than pleased to see you.

Friday, 5 October 2012

Ryan's bar Edinburgh.....

According to Ryan's Bar in Edinburgh (Ralph's favourite Edinburgh breakfasting spot) it's the run up to Christmas.....I know, that's what I said! The 4th of October and they're making up their Xmas menu (not that I'm complaining as here's a couple of pictures they sent to show what's going to be on offer).....

So needless to say they're taking bookings now and their exclusive five course Christmas menu will be available from Thursday the 29th of November until Monday the 24th of December in The Cellar Restaurant, situated below Ryan’s Bar in Edinburgh’s West End.

They offer a variety of space options to cater for large groups as well as providing unique, hand painted alcoves as the perfect venue for intimate gatherings this Christmas. Their Christmas diary always fills up quickly, so whether it’s a family get together, office party or simply a delightful meal for a group of friends, make sure you book as soon as possible! To book please download their Christmas Booking Form, fill it out and return it to them by email, post (or preferably in person as you can have a pint whilst you're in). Their Cellar Restaurant team are very flexible, so if you have any special requests or requirements just note them and they’ll do their best to accommodate.

If you know Ryan’s Bar, but haven’t yet discovered The Cellar Restaurant, why not pay them a visit? Open from 5pm each day, the restaurant is one of Edinburgh’s best kept secrets.

Hidden downstairs, away from the bustle of the Main Bar at Ryan’s, it’s an intimate venue bursting with character and charm. The menu offers high quality Scottish seafood and steaks developed by their in-house French chef. Vive Le Auld Alliance!

For tours of The Cellar Restaurant and more information about Christmas at Ryan’s give them a call on 0131 226 6669 or send an email.

With a friendly and bustling atmosphere, Ryan’s Main Bar is the most popular place to meet in the West End. Boasting an impressive selection of wines, whiskies and spirits as well as a range of some of Scotland’s finest cask ales including a special ale of the week, there's a drink for everyone at Ryan’s Bar. For something a bit more special why not try one of their classic cocktail selection – the perfect way to wind down your day or kick start your weekend.

Their menu is served throughout the day until 10pm, from home made soups and freshly cut sandwiches, to traditional Scottish mains and a vegetarian menu to cater for a range of tastes.

They also have a selection of Gluten Free dishes to choose from. Join them for breakfast, lunch or dinner at the weekend, relax and allow their attentive, friendly staff to provide full table service for food. Given Ralph's love of tunes, when the lights go down he'd love to enjoy a bit of live music in their Main Bar every Thursday and Friday evening, where they feature some of Edinburgh’s hottest bands.

Open

Mon – Fri, 10am – 1am
Sat – Sun, 9am – 1am

EdinTrav Tweetup

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On a slightly cold and drizzly Edinburgh night in October, around 30 explorers sought shelter and sustenance in The Cellar Restaurant at Ryan’s Bar for the sixth#edintravtweetup.

Warmed by the candlelight, the flowing drinks and a shared passion for travel, they whiled away the hours listening to smooth jazz, making new and old friends, and learning and laughing together.

After a few hours of sparkling conversation and gorging on delights such as deep fried haggis balls and prawn canapés in The Cellar Restaurant, they surged upwards to Ryan’s Main Bar and, in true traveller style, were determined to try the new and exciting.

Here the group discovered innovative flavour combinations (homemade guacamole and sweet potato fries being the winner of the night) and savoured bites of the rich Chocolate & Orange Torte served with pineapple & ginger compote, all giving into the pleasure and making their ‘food-gasm’ faces. The chatter off- and online was buzzing and spirits were high.

As the clock struck eleven, and having filled up on food and merriment, they bid a fond farewell to the team at Ryan’s and The Cellar Restaurant and advanced out into the night in search of entertainment into the wee small hours. Some even lasted until morning (!)

Ryan’s Bar and The Cellar Restaurant were honoured to host this event and can’t wait to see all of their new friends again soon. They also want to thank Kash Bhattacharya (@BudgetTraveller) for all of his hard work in making it happen It was a great night for all involved!

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5 COURSE MEAL
£25 PER HEAD

Welcome Glass of Champagne & Pomegranate

Carrot & Chestnut Soup
served with petit pain and butter

Cranberry And Pork Pâté
served with oatcakes and apricot chutney

Poached Asparagus Wrapped with Smoked Salmon
served with a hollandaise sauce

Trio of Seasonal Melon
laced with Midori and mint

Traditional Roast Turkey
served with chestnut and kumquat stuffing, chiploata sausages wrapped in bacon and natural turkey jus

Seasoned Sea Bass Fillet
served on a bed of puy lentil and spiced tomato chutney dressing

Grilled 8oz Sirloin Steak
served with rosti potatoes and a red wine gravy sauce

Warm Red Pepper, Camembert, Tomato, Red Onion & Thyme Tart
served with a crispy seasonal salad

Traditional Sherry Trifle

Christmas Pudding
served with a brandy sauce

Chocolate Roulade
served with fresh cream

Selection of Scottish Cheese
with Highland oatcakes and a tomato chutney

Tea & Coffee with Mince Pies

Ralph's Life.....On Tour

Friday, 23 November 2012