It pains me to write a bad review of a restaurant that up until now has been my absolute favourite.  But in the interests of fairness, I have to report that I felt very let down by Osteria Mauro in Mottram St Andrew recently. It may just have been a mixture of ...

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A few years ago, I went through what I now refer to as the 'nuptial era' - a year or two when I had to attend on average five weddings a year.  This involved having to stay in various hotels, on top of the usual present and outfit buying.  Now, ...

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I'm the first to admit that the Daily Mail is not my 'serious' paper of choice, it's my 'gossip rag' lunch/coffee break read. (Honest guv!).  And so I readily take most stories with a huge pinch of salt, or a huge belly laugh of incredulity. This story however, made my jaw drop. 

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I know, I shouldn't be such a sucker for marketing hype, but I saw one of the new Walkers Crisp flavours whilst out buying my lunch, and thought I'd give it a try. They have a promotion going where you vote for your favourite out of six new trial flavours, ...

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I reviewed Strada in Wilmslow not so long ago. From memory, I gave it an ok write up. Well *I've changed my mind. After a return visit last night, several points have been deducted for poor service. If I have to wave my menu in the ...

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I wonder if it's possible to write a virtual review, praising a restaurant without having actually been there?  It's my brother's birthday today (happy birthday!), and last night he went out for dinner to his local neighbourhood trattoria in Brooklyn, where he lives.  Apparently, al di la (not sure how you ...

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I like reading reviews - of films, books and restaurants - but I always try and make up my own mind where I can.  After all, one person's sushi is another person's slimy raw fish. A week ago I visited Gusto (the Alderley Edge branch).  By chance, I read a review of ...

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I came over all domestic goddess the other night.  Our office has organised a 'bake off' for Children in Need - bring something in, and make a donation if you want a slice/piece of cake/biscuit/whatever has been brought in.  I decided this year to make an effort and actually do ...

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I had to break the news today to a colleague of mine that Starbucks would not be returning to our local branch of Sainsbury’s after its refit.  She was horrified.  Personally, I don't care.  I’d rather support independent coffee shops if I can. I’d much rather have lunch at Al ...

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We're going to visit a friend of mine in Germany this weekend.  She asked us to bring out a couple of items for her, including PG Tips de-caff pyramid teabags, and a 'generous slab' of mature cheddar cheese.  I can understand the teabags (although not the de-caff bit) as I always ...

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