Chow Down with The Booze Hound

I haven't really done any fantastic foodie finds in the past few weeks, mainly thanks to the fact that it felt like it should have been the end of the month ages ago, but when a friend came down to stay at the weekend, and with payday in sight, it was my obligation to show her the delights of Cheltenham and where I like to go to eat and drink.

After a hearty breakfast of scrambled eggs on toasted spelt bread, courtesy of Bath's Bertinet Bakery found in Waitrose, our first port of call was a trip up Bath Road to pick up some fish for dinner. Thinking of dinner as soon as we've finished breakfast, a typical occurrence in our home; we've always got our minds on our next meal. Anyway, it's probably been months since I first spotted a gorgeous teal painted shop front halfway down Bath Road, and when the sign went up saying 'Fishmongers', I couldn't contain my excitement. Sure, supermarkets now sell a variety of fish, and there is the Padstow Fish man at the market on certain days of the week - who I always manage to miss, or get there too late - but not a proper shop, an independent one, with regular staff who you can trust to help and advise you on how to make the most out of the produce you buy. Samphire opened last Thursday, and unlike a traditional fishmongers, it has a Japanese feel to it; with sashimi grade fish fillets and homemade sushi ready to take away. There was an good selection, from the usuals like cod and mackerel, to eels, razor clams and even a couple of elegant looking lobsters, subtly moving their legs through the ice - blink and you'll miss it. We chose some sprightly sea bream, which was kindly filleted for us whilst we carried on window shopping. With it's industrial lighting, tables and chairs to sit at whilst you wait, and bunches of flowers dotted about, this is definitely a contemporary fishmongers, and one to visit regularly. (P.S. I know the picture's mackrel, not the sea bream I bought..)

Next on the agenda was a trip to Tivoli Wines for a little gin tasting; no weekend would be complete without gin now, would it? Warner Edwards, a newbie in the British spirit scene, was being promoted in the shop, by none other than Tom Warner himself - half of the distillery team. We learnt about the start up of the business, and how the pair (Sion Edwards is the other half) converted an old barn at Tom's family farm in Northamptonshire, where they installed a big copper pot still, called Curiosity, who helps them make their Harrington Dry Gin. Neutral grain spirit is blended with 11 botanicals, including juniper, cardamom, corriander, nutmeg, elderflower - pretty unusual - and a secret ingredient, which no amount of bribing will make him divulge. This is then mixed with natural spring water, found just 300 metres from the distillery door. Overall, its quite a spicy, peppery gin, which still retains it's smoothness, and distinguishes it from others that are currently on the market.

With such enthusiasm about their technique and hand crafted product - even the bottles are labeled, sealed, and tied with copper wiring by hand - you can tell that this is something they've really invested into; a true labour of love.  (They also make an Elderflower Infused Gin.. Yum!)

A few samples down, and with it being well past midday, it felt acceptable to go for an afternoon cocktail. The Daffodil in the Suffolks is possibly the go to place for a beautifully made drink in a stunning setting. If you don't know about it, the building dates back to the 1920's, being Cheltenham's first purpose built cinema. As times changed and competition grew, it sadly closed in early 60's, and became a number of different things - such as a bingo hall, an antique centre - up until 1989 when it was left abandoned. It was bought in 1996 by a local restaurateur who saw it's potential, and after an extensive renovation, where many of it's original fittings and features were restored, it re-opened as a dramatic dining room two years later. It's Art Deco design makes it one of Cheltenham's iconic landmarks.

We sat in one of the booths in the circle bar; a mezzanine overlooking the busy restaurant and open kitchen below, there was even some live jazz to add to the theatre of the whole shebang. As expected, the chap ordered the strongest thing possible, a Martini, pure alcohol weakened only by the oils from the orange peel. My friend also chose from the Martini page, a Charlie Chaplin, sloe gin, apricot brandy and fresh lime. It's sweet/sour combination makes it slip down so easily, and I could happily drink these all day despite the fact they're pretty much just booze; so maybe that's where the name come from, it silently intoxicates.. I went for the Soyer au Champagne, literally translated to 'silk with champagne'; Remy Martin VSOP, Grand Marnier, Maraschino Liqueur, homemade vanilla ice cream and champagne. A grown-up, upper-class version of a coke float if you like - delicious.

Nearing 3 o'clock, we'd completely skipped lunch, and, not wanting to spoil our lovely fish dinner, we only fancied some nibbles. So, off to our favourite haunt, John Gordons, for wine and charcuterie - a winning combination. (Though if my other half had his way, whisky would be involved; they have an incredible selection.) We went for a bottle of New Zealand Pinot Noir, a popular choice amongst the regular winos, and at £22.50, it's definitely not your average plonk. With dark fruit flavours and spicy notes, this medium bodied wine would be a good one for those who don't like it too heavy. There were four different meats on our charcuterie plate - prosciutto, chorizo, salami, and some sort of german styled one - and it came with a healthy supply of bread, sundried tomatoes and pickles. Perfect for soaking up all the wine.

Needless to say, the rest of the day progressed as it had started; more wine, prosecco, and some food in between. A bit of a spruce up and we hit the town with only one place in mind, The Tavern. I don't know why, but we always end up here when we've had a skinful, when we probably should have stopped two drinks ago. I think its the atmosphere that draws us in, along with the top notch alcohol selection (and food if you're hungry). I can get very funny about eating/drinking in places which are super quiet, or have an odd arrangement of customers, but whether you come here day or night, The Tavern is always booming. Anyway, on top form, we arrived drunk, but it really doesn't matter here; the staff are friendly and chatty, the people eating are too content to notice anything that's happening around them, and there's a DJ playing beats to the crowd of people hustled at the bar. To be honest, I can't really remember what happened from here, other than my cocktail was in a vintage-y glass.. We'll leave it there.

A late start and decent hangovers lingering over our heads, the only sure fire remedy would be a Sunday roast, and thankfully we had a table reserved for lunch at The Ragged Cot, Minchinhampton. Nestled high on the Cotswolds, we've tried to come here for food on a Sunday before, and, with the car park jam-packed, we knew we'd leave with empty tummies. But from a sneaky look at what was going out of the kitchen, and being awed by the taxidermy on the walls, we knew we'd have to return.

Three roasts - one chicken, one gammon, one lamb - with perfectly puffed up yorkies, crispy seasoned spuds, herbed mixed veg (nicely al dente), a boat of rich meaty gravy, and a 'hair of the dog' shandy, then we were sorted. Probably not the best roast I've ever had - you can't beat your parent's ones can you - but it was bloody good.