Ideas for the BBQ from IG Nicholas Butchers in Cowbridge;
Spatchcock Chickens with garlic and herb marinades on sale at only £6.50 each.
While there, ask about their Chunky Pork Ribs with Chinese style glaze.
Oscars. Cod dishes
Two dishes with variations on cod at Oscars in Cowbridge.
L: Roast cod, beetroot purée, new potato fondants, asparagus and a confit shallot and saffron dressing.
R: Salt brine cod with fish cake, crushed peas, tartare sauce and straw potato.
Bar 44 Veal / Morcilla
Two recent dishes from Bar 44:
L: Rose veal from Marcross Farm, salt baked celeriac, cockles, sea purslane, wild garlic, oloroso reduction.
R: Morcilla de Burgos, heirloom tomatoes, pickled wild garlic.
The Eating Place – May
The Eating Place in Cowbridge has released its MAY Menu. If they taste half as nice as they sound then we are in for a real treat.
Hoping to get some photos soon.
Squid at Bar44
An example of a sea food dish created by Tommy Heaney for Bar 44 this weekend.
Squid stuffed with king prawns & chestnut mushroom, arroz negro and alioli.
Cheese or pudding ?
Just added to Elephant & Bun’s cheese counter is this beautiful aged red from Snowdonia Cheese and according to Jack “fantastically creamy and tangy with a punch “.
If you prefer a sweet to the cheeseboard then the plum and almond tart will do nicely, but don’t expect a second slice.
Oscars: Fish dishes
Beautiful fish dishes recently added to the Summer menu at Oscars in Cowbridge:
L: Baked hake with cauliflower risotto, asparagus and salmon crackling.
R: Plaice fillet served on poached salmon and prawn potato salad with a tomato salsa.
Pan seared scallops with apple and saffron purée, beetroot stalks and peas.
Vale Resort Spa Review
Pre-treatment waiting lounge
Not having been to the Vale Resort Spa for some time I wasn’t sure of what was going to greet me.
The pre-treatment introduction and tour confirmed that things had certainly moved on over the years with a sequence of relaxation rooms and accompanying background music creating an ambience to soothe the most savage breast. The reception was more spacious, incorporating a relaxing café area to enjoy a coffee and light lunch.
Time zipped by while Kelly delivered my full Swedish Body massage in a most professional and relaxing manner. She told me what oil she was using but I was so relaxed, I completely forgot! To complement the experience, other facilities such as the pool and sauna were also available but unfortunately I did not have the time to take full advantage of them.
If you need to escape from the world and indulge yourself for a few hours, I could think of no better place. As for a gift for someone special, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this retreat, and if the voucher were to include a complimentary beverage, then this pleasant experience would certainly be complete.
You can always pay a visit beforehand to view the facilities and in the meantime find full details at the Vale Hotel Spa website.
Jan Edwards
Editor
Cowbridge Fashion
High Tea
Elephant and Bun now stock a range of biscuits from Cartwright & Butler, a Yorkshire based company established in 1981 and with a worldwide reputation for luxury, hand-made products and supplying outlets such as Fortnum & Mason, Harrods, Harvey Nichols and Liberty’s.
So for that special occasion or a little self indulgence take a look at the teas, biscuits and preserves just waiting to be served on your best china.
Beef & Horseradish sausages
I G Nicholas home made sausages with Welsh beef, horseradish and chives.