Food Geek | Food Blog restaurant reviews, recipes & other foodie stuff..

If you love cheese as much as I do there’s no better place to be in July than the Nantwich show, home to the ‘biggest cheese marquee in the world’ where the ‘International Cheese Awards’ are held annually. I loved my previous visit to the trade and judging day and this year was set to be bigger and better than ever …

Following the disappointment of returning to our once favourite restaurant in Albufeira to find it had changed in every way possible (none for the better) we were unsure whether to risk ruining more happy memories by going back to another old favourite. We’d enjoyed O Lusitano very much on the first day of our trip in 2012 so didn’t want to be let …

It’s not everyday you get the chance to eat dishes from several of the world’s best chefs in the same place at the same time. But a few weeks ago I did exactly that after being invited to the press launch of ‘Great Chefs, Great Causes’ at Ibérica in Spinningfields. Of course, Albert Adrià and Joan Roca of El Celler de …

It’s surprisingly difficult to find a good afternoon tea in London on a Saturday. I’d left it too late to get a reservation at my first choice, Sketch, while many others only serve them Monday to Friday. Eventually I found Dorsett Shepherds Bush hotel. They were open, had room for us and the menu looked lovely. We started with a variety of …

I’ve eaten loads of great pizzas in Manchester over the last few years but unfortunately none have been in restaurants. All the best ones seem to be coming from street food vendors like Rudy’s and particularly Honest Crust. I just couldn’t understand why small traders can get it right whilst restaurants were continuously getting it wrong. So when I was invited to PLY – …

Maltby Street was already one of my favourite places in London; its lively Ropewalk food market features fantastic stalls, pop up bars and street food along with a great vibe and friendly atmosphere. It’s even better now thanks to the addition of St. JOHN Maltby, a sit in space under a railway arch run by legendary Michelin starred chef Fergus Henderson. …

There are some places that epitomise their location; Common in the Northern Quarter used to be a prime example. The NQ institution was one of my favourite places in Manchester to drink. Its quirky and artistic – if a little scruffy – decor was all part of the charm. To celebrate their 10-year anniversary they closed their doors for several …

It was my third time at one of Sue Waxman’s ‘Chicken Soup for the Soul’ supper clubs at her home in Prestwich. The first absolutely blew me away but by her own very high standards the second wasn’t quite as good. Thankfully, the third, ‘Jewish Soul Food’ was almost as good as the original. Beisdes a couple of mainstay dishes, most of …

Slightly stale Cinnamon Swirl aside; I really enjoyed my visit to Wood. Wine & Deli in Manchester’s Northern Quarter last year. Back then it felt very much like a wine bar and deli that served food rather than a restaurant. But head chef Gary contacted me recently to see if I’d be interested in sampling some of their new small plates after shifting …

Following the success of  ‘Winter Beer Fest‘, Grub, Shebeen and Blackjack Brewery collaborated once more to bring us Shebeen Festival 2015. The event was held across three venus in Manchester’s Green Quarter; Runaway Brewery, Blackjack Brewery and Glassworks Distribution. Each venue hosted various types of entertainment. From live music to standup comedians and even art installations. I’d love to be able to tell …

As we approached Tattu – a swanky new ‘Modern Chinese’ restaurant – I couldn’t help wondering if I was going to feel as out of place as I often do in Spinningfields. This feeling intensified when I spotted the bouncers on the door who then looked at me in a ‘You know this is Spinningfields not the Northern Quarter’ sort …

You may have noticed I’ve been a little quiet around here lately. It’s not that I haven’t been eating as much as usual, believe me I have. But I’ve been busy setting up an alter-ego and a sister site for this blog. Say hello to Beer Geek Blog… I decided to start a beer orientated blog because I’ve got more and …

There are plenty of Thai restaurants in Manchester but until last year none that I really wanted to eat at. Most are either way too expensive or serving up average, westernised food. Or both. Then Siam Smiles came along. There was so much buzz about Siam right from the start, including a hugely positive review from Marina O’Loughlin in The Guardian. I’m ashamed …

It’s all change at Splendid since my visit last year. Firstly, they’ve changed their name from Splendid Sausage Co to Splendid Kitchen, presumably because they ended up selling a whole lot more than just sausages. More recently they’ve begun a series of ‘Kitchen Takeovers’ on Monday nights, which have seen prominent Manchester street food vendors serve their own food for one night only. …

It’s no coincidence that the standard of dining in Manchester improved the moment Simon Rogan arrived. His restaurant The French in the Midland Hotel is producing the best food in the city, which has forced others to up their game too. I was blown away on my first visit in March 2013, returning twice more that year. With the last almost 18 months ago I was overdue a …