Under Counter goes Over Counter at The Tavern Cheltenham

I feel as though The Tavern has been a little lost lately. Since the fire it has never seemed as confident as it once was. First it came back with one big burger bang, then a few months later teased us with some secret menu offerings, and earlier this year the Sunday roasts made a reappearance. Slowly but surely it was as if they were reverting back to their pre-fire days (when they were fucking awesome), and HALLELUJAH! At the start of September it was confirmed. The under counter menu is now over counter and has a whole host of new delicious things under its belt. Happy days.

In my last post on The Tavern I raved about their under counter menu, clutching onto that little glimmer of what was one before. There's something about that style of relaxed and comforting food that doesn't seem to be anywhere else in Cheltenham. Maybe I'm wrong, but it always seemed as though The Tavern had the whole package - good food, good drinks, good prices, good vibes - and now it's back I can breathe a sigh of relief.

Photo Credit: The Lucky Onion

Ronnie Bonetti, previously of Soho House Group, and Head Chef James de Jong’s menu is made up of delicious taverna style food from Europe and far beyond. As always, there's the best local produce, pimped up with punchy flavours; old favourites still stand their ground, whilst some seductive new dishes vie for attention. Starters include Bavette tartare, Arlington egg yolk & toast (£9) and half a pint of prawns (£8), along with their classic salt 'n' pepper Squid with nuoc cham (£7.50). Then for mains, you have an abundance of choice!

Faithful Taverners will be glad to see that the French Dip is back on the menu, and there are still a selection of burgers, wings and fries to get stuck into if you're not bothered about change. As for the rest of us, there's Loch Duart salmon, shitake, ginger & Asian greens (£17.50), whole brown crab & mayonnaise (£19.50) and spatchcock poussin, preserved lemon, straw potatoes & aioli (£15.50), just to name a few. Oh and chargrilled steaks! You can't knock their steaks.

The build-your-own sundaes have been sacked off and replaced with a concise dessert list; lemon & cherry posset (£6) and a sticky toffee ice cream sandwich (£6) feature, though you can still get a simple scoop of ice cream for two quid.

In the week that the under counter went to over counter, The Chap and I were invited along to try out the new menu. Hells-frickin-yeah. Date night on a school night, and for a Tuesday the place was absolutely packed. Good sign methinks. Cocktails on order - a Sazerac for The Chap and The Last Word for me - it was heads down to try and decide what to have.

Predictably, The Chap picked the spicy pork & fennel meatballs (£8) to start. He hasn't stopped banging on about the ones that we had previously, and although these ones no longer have the nduja depth of flavour in the sauce, they were still stellar. It kept him quiet for a bit at least.

I had clams, Dunkerton’s cider & samphire (£9.50), which came with a healthy helping of toasted baguette. The clams were sweet with the samphire boosting that sea saltiness, and the sauce had a decent apple tang, freshened up with a scattering of dill. Get yourself a crisp glass of white wine with this one and you'll be winning.

Having tried some of the lamb chops at the over counter launch party, The Chap only had eyes for those, with lentils, rainbow chard & salsa rossa (£19.50). Two meaty chops sat atop simply cooked lentils and veg, and were kicked into gear with with that super salsa. The peppers and tomatoes offer a much sweeter flavour than it's green counterpart, and it marries so well to lamb. Once again, I barely heard a peep as he gnawed every morsel off those bones.

There was no hesitation for me either; I had to order the Hereford beef short rib, borlotti beans, girolles & salsa verde (£17). One huge wedge of beef is a carnivores dream. Beefy, juicy, rich and unctuous; it towered high above everything else, and the bone satisfyingly slipped out with ease. Comfort food at its best, and truly a dish which signifies Autumn is well under way. A steal at that price too, I'd say.

Almost at bursting point, we felt we should at least try to squeeze in dessert. We were told the favourite on the menu was the sticky toffee ice cream sandwich, and having seen it on Katie Charlotte Blogs' and Honeybourne Line's reviews, I'm certain it would have pushed me over the edge! Instead, I got suckered in by the chocolate & peanut butter tart with vanilla ice cream (£6)... PB 4 life. It wasn't as rich as it sounds, with just a thin laver of peanut butter on the bitter chocolate tart base. The chocolate filling was light, but perhaps a little fridge-cold as my fork didn't glide through like ganache, it almost crumbled. Still, it melted in the mouth ticking all the right boxes, so no complaints from me.

The Chap went for the most OTT option, The Queen of all banana splits (£6). Banana (obvs), chocolate, vanilla and strawberry ice cream, whipped cream, drizzly sauce, nuts, cherries, THE WORKS. Could've definitely shared between two, but we didn't, so with that we practically had to roll ourselves out of the door.

Like a cat that's gone astray, I've been pining over its absence, desperately willing for The Tavern to return to its original state. Now that it has, I couldn't be happier! With its varied menu, it's back to being that place you could go with anyone, for whatever occasion, at any time of day. See you there!

Markham Farm British Asparagus at The Lucky Onion

As the weather starts to warm up and the evenings begin to get lighter, we mark the sign of an exciting new season. Gone are those hearty winter stews with comforting carbs aplenty, now's the time to put a spring in your step and embrace all things green and fresh. And other than the sight of little lambs leaping around the nearby fields, I can't think of anything more synonymous with this change than the first bite of British asparagus.

It can be such a struggle to eat the seasons when supermarkets are saturated with fruit and veg from across the globe, but seeing the healthy glow of the fat British spears in comparison to the limp or woody kinds you get throughout the rest of the year, it's pretty obvious why we should.

And so we come to The Lucky Onion, who are no strangers in promoting seasonality to their Cotswold customers. Last summer we were treated to an offer for lobster, chips and fizz, in autumn there was partridge and port, at the start of 2017 saw six Wright Bros oysters and a glass of Nyetimber, and now we have a celebration of all things asparagus.

Director of food Ronnie Bonnetti, ex River Café and Soho House, has created a selection of dishes with locally grown Markham Farm asparagus as the focus. Until July you can go to any of The Lucky Onion establishments and pick one, alongside a glass of Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc, for just £15 (though The Tavern's not included). Perfect lunch material.

Just before the offer launched in April, a whole bunch of fellow food lovers were invited to No. 38 The Park to test out the menu, and with the Cloudy Bay wine supplier on hand, we were definitely well watered too. Sauvignon Blanc is a classic pairing with asparagus - they often share similar grassy flavours - and New Zealand's Marlborough region is probably the most popular choice. We're all familiar with it, right? 

Grapes packed with punchy, crisp acidity can be an assault on the senses after a while, so I was so chuffed to find that we were being treated to other Cloudy Bay vinos too. Never-ending coupes of Pelorus non-vintage fizz were served before supper; 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay, it had a quenching citrusy spritz more akin to an English Sparkling Wine over a toasty Champagne or sweet Prosecco. One I'll keep an eye out for. There was also a lovely Pinot later on in the evening; vibrant, youthful and perfect for drinking in the sunshine.

But back to the food... The first to come out was asparagus with Cacklebean poached egg and hollandaise. Those eggs (along with the chickens) are like local celebrities round here, and the rich orange glow from the runny yolk in contrast to the pastel coloured hollandaise is a thing of beauty. It tastes pretty beautiful too, just make sure you save some bread to mop every last morsel up off the plate; it's messy business.

Next was asparagus with brown shrimp butter. Pretty self explanatory. For something so small, brown shrimp sure make themselves known, and whilst I loved the flavour, there was something that didn't sit quite right with me. A few spears of asparagus don't get the chance to stay hot for too long, meaning the butter never really has the opportunity to melt. Don't get me wrong, I'm usually the first to be having bread with my butter, but I couldn't help but think a more liquidy shrimp butter would be better.

Saving the best until last, out came the asparagus with air dried beef, pea shoots and parmesan. The bresaola, from London charcutiers Cannon & Cannon, is nothing like the stiff cardboard kind you get pre-packed in the supermarket. It has such a clean flavour that it almost tastes sweet against the salty tang of the parmesan, and together with the greens it sings of spring. A total delight.

Now whilst you could just choose one dish to have with your glass of wine, it can be very tricky to make such a decision, so let me pose this idea to you... Chances are that you won't be dining alone, but if you were thinking of it be sure to grab a friend. Order all three dishes and get the three measures of Sauvignon Blanc put into a carafe, get a side of fries and have an asparagus sharesies feast fit for a king (or queen). It's a good idea, trust me. 

So be sure to visit No.131, The Chequers, The Wheatsheaf Inn and The Wild Duck soon to take advantage of The Lucky Onion's Markham Farm offer, but in the meantime here are some pointless asparagus facts...

• Asparagus can help cure hangovers and protect the liver against toxins… Though I can confirm that it did not prevent an almighty hangover the day after ALL THE CLOUDY BAY WINE. Ouch.
  
• Dubbed the Usain Bolt of the veg world, British asparagus can grow up to 10cm in one day!
  
• And apparently it can improve your libido. Let's just end it there.

Burgers, Beats & Secret Eats at The Tavern Cheltenham

When The Tavern had to shut shop after a fire midway through last year, Cheltenham was at a loss. There are pubs and restaurants aplenty - you don't need me to tell you that - but The Tavern was the easy go-to, all-round crowd-pleaser, which never disappointed. Sure, we all begrudgingly found new locals to spend our pennies in, but it just wasn't the same.

Fast forward a few months and we were teased with #TavernReload; an opening date of the end of November was announced along with the promise to continue to deliver delicious food at reasonable prices. Hooray! The new menu was said to contain firm favourites alongside some incredible new plates, and extended opening hours of midday to midnight each day, staying open until 2am with tunes aplenty at the weekend. More Tavern fun for all.

Having eaten at the chef's table just before the fire, The Chap and I felt The Tavern was at the top of its game. Chef James de Jong was knocking out some sublime dishes alongside all the usual Tavern staples - burgers and various deep fried goods (though still no Spam fritters). It therefore came as a shock to see how stripped back the new menu was. No more traditional starters, mains, desserts. Gone are the seasonal meat, fish and poultry offerings (hogget chops, sea trout, sweetbreads and poussin for example). Even the Sunday roasts have been sacked off.

So what are we left with?... Burgers. Eight of them to be precise - nine if you include 'Burger of The Month' - with numerous toppings and sauces that you can pile them high with. There are chicken wings too - hot, sticky or BBQ - and four different salad bowls to attempt to get some of your five a day in.

There's a choice of three different fries in the sides and snacks section, along with a few oldies that you can cling onto; chorizo scotch egg, salt 'n' pepper squid, mac 'n' cheese... And I think that's it, apart from dessert. I'm yet to tackle the sinful shakes and the brand new Sundae Service, where you can be like a kid in a candy shop and build your own bespoke sundae from all the ice cream flavours and sweet additions you could fathom.

The Tavern's burgers were always my favourite in Cheltenham, so I suppose having a smaller, succinct menu means that they can focus more on quality. Do one thing, and do it really bloody well (4oz patties served pink using dry aged beef from local Stokes Marsh Farm if you're wondering). However, being devoted to what The Tavern was before, I'm just not sure it's burgers I want all the time.*

* The Lucky Onion elves clearly heard my concern, as little did I know that a 'secret menu' would be rearing its head in January... More on that in a bit.

Whether you're team 'before the fire' or 'embracing the new', choosing wisely from the menu is key. I'm a traditionalist in this area; I like my burgers left alone. A decent smothering of sauce, crisp lettuce, a slice of tomato and some gherkins. Cheese is a preferable addition too. So if this sounds like you, then the Tavern is what you want. I had mine with added roquefort, making it a bargain £7 and exactly what I wanted. Other toppings include an extra patty, bacon and avocado.

The Bacon/Cheese burger is what it is, and I've heard good reports about The Hog (with pulled pork and BBQ sauce) and the veggie friendly falafel burger (with roasted red peppers, harissa mayo, spinach and houmous). If you're after a chicken burger, but like the spice, I'd definitely suggest going for the Crispy Chicken and adding sriracha mayo or really hot sauce. I made the rookie error on my second visit and picked the Spicy Chicken which was just sriracha coated chicken breasts in a bun, not the crunchy coated chicken patty that I anticipated. My own fault for ordering with such haste. Impossible to eat elegantly too; the chicken was so juicy that the bun was soggy in seconds - yay for no dry chicken, boo for then having to eat my burger like a douche with a knife and fork. 

The Chap had the Chilli Cheese with green chilli slaw, Tavern cheese, lettuce, pickles and sriracha. He barely said two words to me once he'd tucked in, which is definitely a thumbs up, however I think it's probably quite important to note that it looked nothing like the photos I've seen on social media. All the burgers come wrapped up in branded paper with a sticker on top, regardless of whether you're eating in, taking away, sat a few steps away from the kitchen or downstairs near the bar. While it's perfect for Instagram, everything just ends up a bit squished, and as The Chap confessed to me after, he wants to squish down and tackle his own burger. 

The sweet potato fries are my personal preference, though I'd happily share the epic chilli cheese fries (pictured earlier) over a few drinks for £6. The buffalo hot wings are delicious too, but it's the honey, soy glazed sticky ones which never fail to win me over. And if we must talk about health, then the Asian Noodles salad was my fave; with slippery worm like udon noodles, cashew nuts, carrots, mange tout, roasted broccoli and miso. The Beets & Mozzarella with fregola, chicory and mint, whilst refreshing, was lacking in some sort of dressing. I expect it was just forgotten.

Mac 'n' Cheese was strongly recommended by a number of people who were lucky enough to go to a sneak preview tasting, so obviously we ordered it. It was love at first sight when we saw the bubbly cheesy crust on the top, which we basically had to crack to get into. The macaroni was swimming in a thick, cheesy sauce, and with every forkful there were streams of stringy cheese leading back to the dish. It was a little like Lady & The Tramp; a love affair with one woman and a bowl of Mac 'n' Cheese.

With some hits and a few misses in this new direction for The Tavern, I was beginning to think that maybe it'd just become a place I go to more for drinks than for food (and FYI the potent cocktails are an excellent match to the fried foods). However, a rather exciting undercounter menu reared its head last month, with small plates and snacks that hark back to before. Thanks to the lovely Lucky Onion folks, The Chap and I were invited to sample the secret eats, and we were SO excited. 

The Tavern Lemonade was a good start; non-alcoholic (shocking), with a big citrus punch to get our taste buds going. Then went straight in on the salty-sweet devils on horseback - dates wrapped in bacon with an almond in the centre. Salt cod croquettes are always a dream, and here they're crispy on the outside, silky in the middle, with just a squeeze of lemon juice to set off all the flavours. Simply does it.

More salty snacks came in the form of smoked anchovy fillets, peppers & crumbs. I could eat anchovies all the time; on pizzas, in sauces, straight from the jar... ALL THE TIME. So this little plate just sang to me. The slippery strips of red pepper added some sweetness, with teeny capers providing acidity and crumbs some crunch. The burrata, clementine & gremolata was a welcome taste and texture change at this point. Cold and creamy, cut into the voluptuous ball and watch it ooze. Pretty decent value at £8 too; I paid near enough a fiver for some not too long ago, and it was nowhere near this size. 

The quince glazed pork ribs with pickled red cabbage probably would've looked better piled on a plate rather than a large tray, but were awesome nonetheless. The meat fell away from the bone with nothing but a gentle push, and that sweet glaze… Mmm. I could take or leave the brioche buns that accompanied them though, especially when there's something as delicious as the sprout slaw available.  Shredded sprouts and other likely slaw culprits had been tossed in a mustardy vinaigrette dressing and studded with dried cranberries and pecans. I couldn't leave it alone.

Steaks were always pretty reasonable and perfectly cooked at The Tavern before, so I was glad to see 6oz flat iron with chimicurri on the Undercounter menu. I gawped at those glistening pink strips when they came out. You could just order this and some fries off the main menu and it's like nothing has changed.

Saving the best 'til last… Hereford beef & pork meatballs in nduja sauce. Three huge balls cloaked in this devilishly thick spicy sauce, adorned with wisps of parmesan. There's something I find so seductive about parmesan; watching the ribbons curl up and gradually become translucent as they get hot. That's not just me, right?… Anyway, just make sure you get these. They were definitely the stars of the show. 

So that's it. The Tavern in all it's glory. They say secrets don't make friends, but the new undercounter menu has certainly sealed the deal for me. Pals for life. 

Oh, and for all those old schoolers, you'll be pleased to hear that The French Dip is back for February!!! Braised short rib of beef, smothered in Stinking Bishop and sprinkled with jalapeños, all in a bun destined to be dipped in a slick short rib braising stock, which has been reduced down with red wine, caramelised onions and bone marrow. Who needs flowing arteries anyway?

Click here to go to The Tavern website

The Lucky Onion Club Presents: Hemsley + Hemsley

Their faces line the shelves in your local bookshops and supermarkets, you'll have spied them cooking up a storm on your TV, they've just opened up their own café in Selfridges, and last month our very own Cheltenham was graced with their presence.

Yes, the Hemsley sisters seem to be unstoppable at the moment - not surprising considering that health and wellness is so en vogue - but somehow, in the midst of their busy schedules, The Lucky Onion managed to snap them up for a whole day. No. 38 The Park was host to the latest in The Lucky Onion Club's series; Lunch + Supper with Hemsley + Hemsley.

Jasmine and Melissa Hemsley, shook up the food scene a few years ago with their love of quinoa, spiralized courgetti, and cauliflower rice. And let's not forget their 'Boil Your Bones' campaign, telling people to get with their guts by drinking bone broth - not one for the veggies.

The pair profess that food should be delicious and nutritious, simple and sustainable. Health doesn't come from processed foods, so they've adopted a diet that's naturally free from gluten, grains and refined sugar. This holistic approach has clearly been a hit because they've just released their second book, Good + Simple, which sees more home-cooking recipes that promote the nourishing power of real food.

I've written about healthy, 'clean' eating a few times before - see my posts on Gizzi's Healthy Appetite and Simply Nigella - and I'm still unsure about the idea of cutting out food groups without proper cause (ie. allergies/intolerances). However, H+H's philosophy is different; it's not about being restrictive (they do say you shouldn't feel guilty for eating what you want), it's not a fad diet (they never work long term), they eat meat and drink alcohol (yay!), and there's zero calorie counting involved (they're very much pro-fat not low-fat).

The sister's new book is an honest guide for how to stay in tune with your body; 140 recipes with plenty of tips and tricks that will guarantee you can eat well at any time of the day. "Good food, good mood, good digestion, good health!" 

I popped along to the supper sitting at the gorgeous No.38, and upon arrival guests were whisked into the courtyard where Hemsley Collins' were being served up. Ketel One Vodka, raw honey, lemon juice and sparkling water - sugarless, but not so sharp that it blows your head off thankfully - a great summertime refresher.

There were around 50 people eager to see the girls, both local and from further afield. Actually, it surprised me just how many men were there, though there were admittedly quite a few who were dragged along by their starstruck partners. As we took our seats at the long banquet style tables, introductions were made, and H+H explained our menu for the evening; a selection of dishes from the new book.

We started with Seasonal Crudités, Multiseed Crackers, Minty Broad Bean and Creamy Cashew Ranch Dip. The crackers were made from a mix of buckwheat and chickpea flour, giving them a distinctive nutty flavour with a decent crunch, and a wooden board piled high with colourful veg always wins me over - especially peas in the pod! The broad bean dip was just as you'd expect, and the cashew ranch was rich and creamy without including any dairy (they use soaked cashew nuts).

Photo Credit: The Lucky Onion

Main course was Spiced Roast Chicken Thighs with Watercress Salsa Verde and a Green Salad. There was also a dish of Courgette and Cannellini Bean Lasagne to share between our table. Courgetti is one thing, but the thought of a pasta-less lasagne would probably have most Italians recoil in horror. They needn't though, the layered veg with sundried tomatoes and ricotta 'béchamel' is a saintly tasty alternative.

The chicken thighs - a one-pan roast with cauliflower, red peppers and fennel - were gently spiced with cumin, cayenne and antioxidant-rich turmeric. Crispy skinned and dressed with vibrant watercress sauce, it epitomised 'Good + Simple'. I do feel that the portion should probably have been for 4-6 people, not 8, as just one thigh each, with a small scoop of roasted veg and some lettuce leaves, didn't feel substantial enough - and I wasn't alone in thinking that!

Thankfully, we had two desserts to curb our hunger. Firstly, Carrot Cake with Honey Yoghurt Frosting. Made with ground almonds and sweetened with maple syrup, there was a harmony of flavours going on. It would be a great cake to make for those who can't eat gluten or have a thing about sugar, though I am a traditionalist; a fluffy sponge that's full of sugar, spice and all things nice is where my heart lies. That said, the tang of the yoghurt frosting was spot on, and I'll keep that in mind future bakes.

Photo Credit: The Lucky Onion

Jasmine and Melissa took it upon themselves to show us just how easy it is to make the final sweet treat; Chocolate Orange Bar with Clementines. Bish, bash, bosh. In the blink of an eye the coconut oil, cocoa and maple syrup mixture was done, and in true Blue Peter fashion, "here's one we prepared earlier!" Almost as easy as nipping to the shops to get a sphere of Terry's… Almost.

Chocolate grins all round, the night finished off with a cup of spicy ginger Pep Up Tea and a dairy-free, caffeine-free, coffee-esque Chicory Latte, both from their first book The Art of Eating Well. Obligatory photos and book signings followed too, and it was clear to see just how proud the Hemsley sisters are of what they've achieved. Even the cynics would find it hard to ignore their likeability, so good on 'em I say.

You can buy Hemsley + Hemsley: Good + Simple on Amazon for £12.49.

See The Lucky Onion website for more details on their events.

Seeing Out 2015 Pt.1

So, as the year draws to a close - when I'm feeling particularly guilty about my lack of efforts on the blogging front - I thought it was prime time to catch up on all those exciting things that I've been up to.

Truth be told, it's been a mightily crap year for The Chap and I; with families somewhat falling apart at the seams on both sides, it's not surprising that I haven't found the motivation, nor the hours in the day, to keep up with my posts. Still, despite not feeling particularly upbeat over the past couple of months, we've had some fun along the way.

Supper with Richard Turner on Thursday 12th November was a meaty highlight. Held at No. 38 The Park, this Lucky Onion Club event was one we really couldn't miss; the Hawksmoor, Pitt Cue and Meatopia legend lived up to his reputation by cooking the most epic menu (and drinking a lot of Bourbon).

Starters were Wild Sea Bass Sashimi with Chilli and Ginger, Fillet Steak Tartare topped with a shed load of Parmesan, Roasted Bone Marrow with Sourdough Toast, and Roasted Scallops with White Port and Garlic... I managed some self restraint and didn't eat everything in sight, but the sheer volume of food could have filled us all up, and I'd have been content just hitting dessert! FYI I still don't like Bone Marrow.

Main was Charcoal Grilled Rib Eye Steak and Chips with Bibb Lettuce Salad and Stilton Hollandaise. Pink, juicy, salty, charred - and seemingly endless - there are no words that can describe how good it was. And that Stilton Hollandaise; if I'd had a heart attack after eating it all, I'd have died very very happy. Sticky Toffee Pudding with Clotted Cream and a glass of Sherry finished us off, and we rolled ourselves home.

In contrast to this, I went along with a friend (K) to The Core Cheltenham's 4 Course Evening Special, which was full of vegan veggie goodness. Greeted with a heathy 'martini' of pomegranate, hibiscus and sumac, we then hit the gin (it was BYOB). Canapés were a shot glass of Pea and Mint soup served with "Cheesy" Polenta Chips, then we could choose our other courses out of three options. Watermelon and Kalamata Olives with a Pistachio Crumble, Capers and Watercress was my starter. K's was much more exciting; Carrot and French Beans with Tomato and Hemp Tabbouleh, Daikon Radish Ribbons and a Coriander Dressing.

K chose the best main too; Red Lentil Dahl, Spiced Sweet Potato Purée, Pickled Carrots, Crispy Shallots, Balsamic Onions and Chilli Enoki Mushrooms. That said, I definitely had the best dessert; Citrus Tart made with a Homemade Almond Yoghurt, Lime Curd and Chocolate Candied Pecan Nut Crumble. 

If you've not experienced raw, vegan foods, then going to something like this is a great introduction. I had a fabulous night, but I think visiting The Core for breakfast/lunch, or for your juice/smoothie fix is the best way to do it, especially after a heavy night! See my previous post on their 5 Day Juice Programme.

As with every month - *cough* week - November saw a lot of wine drinking, and none more special than The Super Fine Wine Tasting at The Grape Escape. Ten wines were opened from The Grape's reserve list, adding up to over £1000 worth of wine! Starting off with one of my favourite Champagnes - Krug Grand Cuvée - we drank Riesling, Chardonnay, and the best/most unusual Sauvignon Blanc I've ever experienced (the Silex pictured above).

With the reds, we worked our way around the globe; Spain, South Australia, Italy, USA and the two big Frenchies; Burgundy and Bordeaux. Needless to say, we were all bowled over by the wines, (which is probably not so great for our purse strings), and in true Grape Escape fashion, the best wines of the night were both Californian! If you're feeling flush, go and buy yourself a bottle of Kistler Chardonnay 'Les Noisetiers' 2013 or Corison Cabernet Sauvignon 'Kronos Vineyard' 2006; you won't be disappointed.

... Part 2 coming up!...