This is a strange one as it spans two continents – for the first half of October, I was at home in Bristol and the Midlands. For the second half, I was in Western Australia, where I still am now although we fly to Melbourne tomorrow to start the next leg of our adventures which is exciting. In a nutshell, the last three weeks have included eating FAR too much, a friends wedding in a cave, a trip to the wine region of Margaret River, koalas, kangaroos, sunburn and bike rides!
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| This really doesn’t do it justice but here’s a snapshot! |
So, here goes for an international themed October Discoveries! As usual, completely random and in no particular order, here are the new things I’ve discovered and loved over the last month.
Cured: Brewdog, Leicester
Those of you from Leicester may well remember The Smokehouse above the Obar on Braunstone Gate? It was my favourite place to eat in the city until it shut down. GREAT NEWS LEICESTER, your American smokehouse fix is sorted and no I’m not talking about the chain pre-made drivel you get at Grillstock.
I’m talking about Cured, the new food offering at Brewdog It opened back at the start of September and I feel bad that I’ve not gotten round to giving it a shout out yet. This is the brainchild of my friend and super chef Martin (who incidentally used to be the second chef at The Smokehouse). Open daily from 12-8 he serves a whole range of meaty goodness, including things like buttermilk fried chicken, mac n cheese, cured meats, bacon topped pancakes and more. Follow Cured on Facebook to find out more.
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| Picture taken from Cured Facebook. |
The Bristol Food Tour, UK
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| Picture taken from tBFT facebook |
Bundaberg Lemon, Lime & Bitters, Australia
Takoyaki (たこ焼き)
On our first night in Perth, we ate at a little sushi place right across the way from where we were staying. Not expecting much from the Yo! Sushi style belt and small space, we were totally surprised by the quality and taste of what we ate. One of the things we ate was a dish Dave has been going on about for ages but you hardly ever see in the UK – TAKOYAKI.
Takoyaki is a Japanese snack – octopus filled wheat flour balls which are fried. I’ve tried them twice now in Perth where there is some excellent Asian food on offer and I LOVE them. The takoyaki at Jaws Sushi was soft and full of flavour but the takoyaki I tried this week at Fremantle Market was even better. Topped with fish shavings and a sauce which tastes a little like Worcestershire, they were crispier on the outside and had more octopus in them. I’m now constantly on the hunt for more. Fingers crossed for Melbourne!
Have you discovered anything new or amazing this October? Let me know, I’d love to hear!
