Happy Pinning!

As I spend most of my free time pinning away and browsing Pinterest,  I thought I would set one up in conjuction with my blog!

So I have pinned loads of my favourite recipes- from healthy food dishes to the recipe for the oreo, peanut butter and cookie dough brownies I made last weekend...I know, soooooo good.

I have pinned loads of gorgeous little coffee shop pics from around the world, and their cute and cosy decor. I have added my own photos of the amazing cafes and restaurants I have reviewed and visited around the globe, as well as some interesting articles and other coffee shop/foodie blogs for your enjoyment!!

So here is the link- https://uk.pinterest.com/qcaffeine/

Go and follow me and let me know your usernames so I can follow you and drool over all your recipes and photos!!

Happy Pinning!!

The place I've been dying to go for ages!

Federal Cafe

After so many hours of stalking and DROOLING over their Instagram pictures, this Sunday I finally got to go to Federal Cafe in Manchester. 

Their food and cakes look so good, and I was dying to try their eggs and coffee. When we got there, there was a 30 minute wait (so I knew it was going to be good) but eventually we got a seat and ordered. 
The decor is really cosy, with amazing art on the walls, and quirky 'Milo' cans on the table for knives and forks- FYI- Milo is added to hot or cold water and/or milk to make a malted chocolate beverage....Federal is based on an Australian/New Zealand themed hence the Milo cans!

After much deliberation- I was waiting by the food counter so was watching every dish that came out!- but I went for the 'Halloumi and Shrooms' whilst my date went for Eggs Benedict with avocado, bacon and chorizo. Both amazing, and the first thing my date said when the food arrived was 'Why is yours bigger than mine!!'

The Halloumi and Shrooms

Eggs Benedict 

The staff were lovely and friendly, and even though we had waited for a while to get a seat, the food and coffee was so prompt and SO delicious. 

This place certainly lived up to expectations, I already can't wait to go back! It also inspired me to bake some of my own banana bread- although my version isn't quite looking up to the standard of 'Emily's Banana Bread'....same name, but unfortunately not the same cake!!

Love this place- I will definitely be going back!

Restaurant Review- Valentines Day Special!

The Hopvine

Not my usual kind of review, but this place is so good I had to do it!

Last night I went for a little Valentines Meal at this amazing place called The Hopvine, in Burscough. Very unassuming, a small pub on the corner but my WORD the food is to die for! It's always busy, and always buzzing with the owners working behind the bar and serving (which I really like) it's a little hidden gem.

To start I had 'Goats Cheese Bon-Bons', little deep fried goats cheese bites with a gorgeous tomato and pesto sauce, and a SLAB of garlic bread. I was trying to go light on the carbs because I desperately wanted room for a pudding! The starter was divine, and my date had an equally as lovely black pudding and poached egg dish.

I then had sticky chilli beef salad with roast peppers and tomatoes with sweet potato fries- a particular weakness of mine. Both of which were amazing, and the sticky beef was so tender and gorgeous. So tasty, and I could tell ingredients were such good quality. (Ate so fast, didn't get a photo!)

Inside The Hopvine, it's kind of like a normal pub. Very traditional decor, but it's like stepping back in time to an old property and finding hidden treasures round every corner. They have hundreds of old books- legal books, encyclopaedias, old English novels, as well as old newspaper cuttings in huge frames and little porcelain statues in glass cases. An eclectic mix of interesting pieces, but it all works together to make you feel really at home and creates a chilled, relaxed atmosphere.

Image from The Hopvine webpage

Now for the main event- the pudding. We had been given two homemade chocolate truffles as a little Valentines gift, and I did wonder whether to have them with just a coffee.....but I mean it's Sunday AND it's Valentines Day so I thought GET ONE.
We shared a Banoffee Meringue with toffee sauce and cream as well as a little helping of chocolate orange Mrs Dowsons ice cream which was JUST AMAZING. It was delicious and the presentation was beautiful, finished with little dark chocolate chips and icing sugar. Very cute. I inhaled it but managed to take a photo first!

The staff are lovely and so helpful- always checking back and always making sure we had what we need. And there was some live music in the next room which set of our Valentines meal perfectly.
It's a bit of a drive from anywhere- sort of in the middle of Liverpool and Preston, but so worth a visit. An old-y world-y place with modern and delicious food. The best of both worlds, what more could you want!

Can't wait to visit again, it has left me full and content on Valentines Eve!

http://www.thehopvine.co.uk