Latest Food & Drink Posts

Paella, tapas and sangria are some of my favourite things about Spain. So as you can imagine, I was more over the moon to be asked to review the new menu at La Tasca, in The Orient.

First comment: the service was excellent. The waiter gave us his informed recommendations from the new dishes on the menu, and so we started with a selection of breads; olive, white and flatbread seasoned with rosemary and fennel to dip into the olive oil and balsamic. Alongside that we had a bowl of mixed olives which I, the olive fiend, loved. They were beautiful and just fell apart in the mouth.

Mini burgers

We perused the menu for quite some time as we chomped on our breads. Our waiter confidently recommended the slow cooked pork cheeks (castilla y león) with Pedro ximenez, served with a creamed mash potato so we went for that - but of course we're talking tapas here, so we chose another three!

Romesco chicken, home made beef burgers and huevos cabreos completed our selection. I went for the Romesco chicken first, which is cooked in a spicy tomato sauce. I love spice but if you're not a fan; worry not!! This superb dish is warming rather than HOT - and the chicken itself just fell off the bone, it was perfect.

Secondly were the homemade mini beef burgers, topped with Spanish relish. The beef was cooked to perfection - just the right amount of pink, the relish added a nice bit of zing and the bun was crispy and light .

Next I chose the pork cheek. Now, pork cheek does have a strong flavour,, which I wasn't really expecting BUT the Pedro ximenez (which is like a sweet onion sauce) and the mash complimented the pork really well.

Sangria

Lastly was the huevos cabreos - or the Spanish take on egg and chips.

We were told the way to eat this dish is to break into the egg and mix it in with the salsa covered fries, so of course we did. The chips are skinny like fries so they're light and really easy to eat, not hard going like chunky chips. Even though this is just egg and chips, I really enjoyed it and it was nice having something to pick at between and after dishes.

Of course, everything was washed down with a few glasses of sangria. Honestly, you can’t have Spanish food without sangria. It’s probably illegal.

So, we arrived at dessert. After a much-needed breather, we were persuaded by the sweet-sounding sweet menu. We chose the option that's taking desert menus by storm the world over; the dolce, or the selection of minis, if you will. Miniature versions of brownie, pancakes, cheesecake, fresh strawberries and churros, were served with warm chocolate sauce, ice cream and a berry compote. Perfecto!

Music

With the welcoming Spanish atmosphere and music helping me get over my recent holiday blues, mixed with traditional dishes and a twist of wintery flavours, it was a really lovely meal, and a great respite from Christmas shopping.

For those of you who love La Tasca and your favourite dishes there - don't panic! The new winter menu his been added to the existing menu, and there’s something novel in every section of the menu (apart from seafood). That means a host of new meat and vegetarian dishes, salads, chef specials and paella dishes.

I hope you enjoy your meal as much as we did. And remember the law about Sangria!

* Hannah was a guest of La Tasca, located in The Orient food court.

Check their new menus online!

Hi, my name is Hannah! I’m 21 and a fashion marketing student at Manchester Metropolitan University. I’m not a huge know-it-all on fashion, but I love it! I’m a bit set in my ways and have my three favourite shops which I stick to, but I love finding those little gems in shops I wouldn’t ordinarily shop in. I’m here as the shoppers voice.

Have a read of my posts, I hope you enjoy!

http://www.latasca.com/menus

The Trafford Centre is the perfect place to enjoy a Christmas meal out with friends, family or colleagues.  We sent Key 103's Chelsea to sample some of the finest Christmas menus on offer.  First stop is La Tasca for some mouth watering starters.

Chelsea then headed to Carluccio's to sample their delicious main courses.

Christmas is perfect for those with a sweet tooth and Café Rouge has a fantastic range of desserts on offer.

Finish your evening off with some limited edition Christmas cocktails at The Circle 360.

Fancy experimenting and trying Japanese or Korean cuisine for a change?

Gerry Yeung has embarked on an oriental odyssey and has now opened a brand new concept restaurant called Wokooshii.

Food glorious food

Gerry is keen to put Japanese and Korean food on the menu in the North. He explains: “I felt it was a great opportunity to introduce shoppers at the Trafford Centre to a totally new experience. We’re the only restaurant in the centre that serves a fusion of Japanese and Korean food. Although Japanese and Korean food is gaining popularity in London it’s still relatively unknown in the north.”

He raves about the mouth watering menu: “Korean food is fabulous and has its own Far Eastern style and distinctive flavour. If I had to choose my favourite dishes from our new menu I’d go for crispy tempura prawns or Korean pancakes, they’re almost like an oriental pizza and salmon teppanyaki with rice or a Korean hot stone bowl with rice for my main. For pudding I like something refreshing so I’d choose one of our mango deserts.”

The menu is an extensive one. Gerry explains: “We have 67 dishes on our new menu and all are freshly made every day. Our aim is to create quick, simple but authentic food that customers can enjoy even in a hurry.”

Design

The restaurant has undergone a makeover by my interior designer Roberta Fulford and is open, light, airy, colorful, cheerful, modern and chic.

The name and branding for the restaurant was created by Altrincham creative agency RMS. Ruth Shearn, the managing director at RMS, said: "This has been a fantastic project – creating a brand new name and identity for a restaurant that will become a household name has been very exciting and has really played to our strengths."

Located on the same site as the Yang Sing, the restaurant is open every day and can cater for 80 -100 customers. The menu is very responsibly priced ranging from a dish of kimchi at £2.90 to a fillet streak teppanyaki and rice at £14.99.

Use your noodle – come down and try it yourself!

The name Wokooshii is derived from a combination of the word ‘wok’ and the phonetic translation of the Japanese word ‘delicious’. The name is designed to reflect the fun, Eastern vibe of his new restaurant!

Justin Webb

THE stunning new Nespresso boutique at The Trafford Centre has opened - and to celebrate, multi-award-winning local chef Andrew Nutter has designed a bespoke menu of savoury and sweet dishes to be paired with Nespresso’s premium Grand Cru coffee.

The Nespresso store on upper Peel Avenue is a unique retail experience,  which immerses shoppers in an indulgent, multi-sensorial space where they can discover the entire Nespresso product range whilst enhancing their own coffee expertise.

And by drawing on the rich culinary heritage of the North West and inspired by the brand’s luxurious collection of 16 Grand Crus, Andrew has created a series of beautifully designed dishes to ensure the Art of the Espresso meets the Art of Northern Cuisine.

The menu is crowned with the signature dish we present here – the Nespresso Eccles Cake, the ultimate twist on a Manchester classic which was invented just a stone's throw away from The Trafford Centre.

Containing four shots of espresso,, this traditional treat is given a rich elegance, best complimented with a shot of Nespresso’s Ristretto Grand Cru to match the cake’s coffee-enhanced, fruit-based flavours.

The dishes allow coffee lovers to discover the Grand Crus’ distinct notes and aromas with a menu which can be created at home and expertly matched with pairings endorsed by Nespresso’s coffee experts.

Andrew Nutter explained: “Coffee has the same range of individual notes and aromas as wine, so why not pair it with food? These recipes are easy to make at home but provide coffee lovers like me with a fun way to experience all the coffees available. Like the signature dish: there’s nowt more to Manchester than its Eccles Cakes but in my recipe it takes on new meaning as the Nespresso Ristretto Grand Cru gives it a chic, espresso kick!”

Nespresso Ristretto Coffee and Toffee Eccles Cake

- Serve with Nespresso’s Ristretto Grand Cru -

1 x 397g tin condensed milk

4 espresso cups of Ristretto Nespresso

115g currants

115g sultanas

175g puff pastry

1 egg – beaten

Caster sugar for sprinkling

1) Place the unopened can of condensed milk in a pan of simmering water, simmer for 3 hours and then leave to cool – open and spoon the toffee into a container.

2) Freshly make your 4 espresso cups of Ristretto Nespresso and pour directly into a bowl containing the currants and sultanas, cover with cling film and macerate for 2 hours.

3) Take the puff pastry and roll out thinly, cut into rounds approx. 8-10cm, place a spoonful of marinated sultanas in the centre of each and also a teaspoon of the toffee, fold the pastry over to form a parcel and slightly flatten it.

4) Repeat the process until all the mix is used up. (Any excess toffee can be refrigerated for future usage).

5) Place the cakes on a non-stick mat, brush with some beaten egg and bake in a hot oven at 160°C for 10 minutes sprinkle with some caster sugar and bake for a further 2 minutes.

6) Remove from oven – leave to cool slightly and serve.

Nespresso Ristretto

POWERFUL AND CONTRASTING:

A blend of South American and East African Arabicas, with a touch of Robusta, roasted separately to create the subtle fruity note of this full-bodied, intense espresso.

For more information visit the Nespresso site.

by JUSTIN WEBB

THE talented team at Lollicakes in Didsbury has caught our eye recently, with their mouth-watering confections on a stick.

Their novel idea is to create dinky little cakes that sit atop a lolly stick, allowing for all manner of creativity in the kitchen, as well as in the shop window where these fabulous Lollicake displays were found.

Lollicakes co-owner Laura Drabble, who now stocks exclusively at Selfridges at The Trafford Centre, said: "There’s no denying that the Americans know what they're doing when it comes to cake, after all, isn't it thanks to Carrie Bradshaw visiting New York's Magnolia Bakery that the cupcake is as famous as it is today?

Big Apple

"It's no surprise then that when I discovered these little creations on a trip to the Big Apple we couldn’t wait to introduce them to our friends in the UK. Whether you know them as lollicakes or cake pops the verdict is the same – they taste amazing!"

Each and every lollicake is hand made using their rich, mouth-watering chocolate cake. This is blended with creamy chocolate frosting, dipped in your choice of dark, white or milk chocolate and hand painted or decorated in a variety of pretty sprinkles and glitter.

Weddings

It’s not quite a cake, not just a truffle – you really do have to try one! The designers say cake pops are perfect for many occasions, particularly weddings, hen do’s and kids parties.

The pops have gone down a storm at The Trafford Centre, especially the Royal Wedding themed pops, and seasonal Easter variations.

But who knows what summer wardrobe these stylish little treats will be wearing?

• Take a look at our selection of designer Lollicakes in our gallery.
• Read more about Lollicakes at their website.
• See more on Selfridges at their store page.