Food and Cocktails in York

I had a week off from Uni last week so I went back home to York. While there I met up with my two best friends Abbie and Sophie and we went out for a meal and cocktails to celebrate Sophie's 20th birthday. 

We started of at Bills, a restaurant along Coney Street in the center of York. It was my first time to go but I had been wanting to go for a while. I love the decor inside; chandeliers, candles, open ceiling, chalkboards and it's split into different areas which makes it feel more intimate. The staff were all so polite (and good looking!) The food was delicious. I had marinated chicken skewers served with cous cous and pitta bread, the other two both had a halloumi and hummus burger which they both said was great. For pudding we all had warm mini cinnamon doughnuts with fresh strawberries and chocolate sauce which, oh my god, I can so recommend!

The atmosphere was so nice in Bills that we stayed there for two hours. After that we moved on to The Biltmore, another place which I have been really wanting to go to for a while. The Biltmore is a restaurant upstairs and a bar downstairs. They have a great choice of cocktails, they are expensive though. Since going I have read that they offer a student discount which I wish we had known previously. I had the Singapore Sling which was amazingly good.

After The Biltmore we went around the corner to BoraBora, a very different type of bar but just as good! I had a great night, it was lovely to see my friends again and all three places I would definitely go back to.

Marinated chicken skewers

Halloumi and hummus burger

Warm mini cinnamon doughnuts

Cocktails at The Biltmore

Have you been wanting to try any new restaurants or bars?

The House of The Trembling Madness

I am back home in York! On Saturday I got the train down from Newcastle, where I go to uni, because I have an 'independent study week'.  This basically means you are set loads of work to do on your own instead of going to lectures, but it also meant that I could come home!

Last night it was the first night of Illuminating York which is an annual light festival in York. Anyway, as well as wondering around looking at lit up buildings, my mum and I went into a pub called The House of Trembling Madness. I mean for starters doesn't it just have the best name ever!

The House of Trembling Madness has got to be one of the most atmospheric pubs in York. Situated along Stonegate in a medieval hall above a shop which specialises in beers from all over the world,  they serve micro-brews, beers and ales as well as some delicious food in generous portions. The decor is amazing with high ceilings, exposed beams, antique furniture and lots of candles.

When we arrived it was packed with people but luckily a couple were just leaving so we got their seats. We had to share a table and wait quite a while for the food to come, but when it did, boy was it worth it! We shared a dish called chorizo in scrumpy which I highly recommend!

Food and Drink: 5 stars | Service: 4 stars | Value: 5 stars | Atmosphere: 5 stars

Website: www.tremblingmadness.co.uk

Location: 48 Stonegate, York

Sorry for the really bad quality of the photos, in my defense it was dark and I took them on my phone. Not a good combination. For better photos visit their website.

This photo doesn't do the food any justice. It looked really good and when it came everyone else looked on with envy!

Have you ever been to a really atmospheric pub like this?

Linking up with Treat YoSelf Thursday

Cosmo Buffet

Last week, the day before I went to London, I met up with my two best friends and we went out for lunch. Recently a branch of the pan-asian buffet restaurant, Cosmo, opened in York and we all wanted to see what it was like.

If you look on Tripadvisor the reviews are mixed. It's like Marmite, you either love it or you hate it. Well we all loved it! There was loads of choice and it was great to try lots of different food, overall a really fun experience. 

However I will say that I can see why it doesn't appeal to some people. It's more suited to a meal out with family or friends rather than a romantic date. Also the quality of some of the food isn't great. I steered clear of the pizza and pasta because I they are both very filling but apparently they're not the best. I stuck with the Japanese, Chinese and Indian all of which I really enjoyed. Oh and also the cakes and sweets!

It's really reasonable, £8.49 for an adult at lunch and £10.99 in the evening, all you can eat. If you like trying different types of food from around the world and have a big appetite then I would recommend here!

             We all loved this mixed beans dish!

The 'display only' sign was for some jars of sweets! However there were other sweets you could eat!

What do you think about buffets?

Travel Tuesday: Yellow York

Don't worry I havn't got my days mixed up! I know it's not Tuesday but I didn't get round to doing my travel tuesday post yesterday so here it is, one day late! I previously mentioned that the Tour de France will be starting in Yorkshire this year in my post A Host of Golden Bicycles.

Stage 2 of Le Tour will begin in York so loads of shops and cafes have been doing special window displays. I especially love the one below which was in Fenwicks window, the background illustration is just amazing!

The reason I didn't get round to writing a post yesterday was because I was putting together a photo montage for Scoot Cycling Holidays. It is a selection of various yellow bikes all over Yorkshire. Watch it for more quirky windows such as a load of sheep riding a bike and knitted bunting!

Linking up with Bonnie Rose for Travel Tuesday

What do you think about all of these Tour de France window displays?

Cafe Concerto

On Thursday I met up with one of my best friends for lunch in York. Because I have been living in Japan, it has been about one year since we last saw each other. One year is a long time but we have stayed in touch with many Facebook messages and long Skype chats, however it was great to finally meet up again.

Our usual place to eat is Wagamamas, but I had recently been with another friend so we tried somewhere new. Café Concerto had been recommended to me and I was intrigued to see the interiors.

It didn't disappoint, with quirky interiors, friendly service and tasty food. I had a chicken, chorizo and tomato baguette which was on the specials menu. Costing nearly £8 it was quite expensive for a sandwich, but they were very generous with the fillings and it tasted great. As well as sandwiches, they also offer soups, salads and main meals as well as delicious looking cakes and desserts.

The location is great, being very close to the Minster but also off the main drag and therefore not too busy. It is also a must for music lovers, due to the interesting interiors which include music score wallpaper and a violin on the wall. If you are in York and you fancy a light lunch in relaxed surroundings then I recommend coming here.

Website: http://www.cafeconcerto.biz
Address: 21 High Petergate York YO1 7EN

Hamlet to Hollywood

 

 

Ok so from my roundup of current London fashion exhibitions you may have realised that I love going to exhibitions! I mentioned that I went to the Hollywood costume exhibition at the V&A, however it doesn't require a trip to the capital to see some A list designs.

A few years ago I went to the Hamlet to Hollywood exhibition at Barley Hall in York. There was an amazing selection of costumes from films and T.V programmes. I am a big fan of period dramas (especially Downton Abbey!) so this exhibition was perfect for me.

Whether you're also a fan of period dramas or not, I am sure you will have seen at least one of these costumes on screen or if not, you definitely will have heard of the people who wore them.

 Worn by Cate Blanchett in Elizabeth. Apparently the dresses in this film were influenced by the director who was of Indian origin and wanted fabrics similar to those used to make traditional Indian clothes.

 

Worn by Helen Mirren in The Queen. This simple, black outfit is an outfit I could imagine the Queen really wearing, especially with touches such as the pearls, brooch and of course handbag.

 Worn by Rufus Sewell in Charles 2nd: The Power and the Passion. I never saw this T.V mini series but it looks as though the costumes were very opulent. In fact it was Charles 2nd who first introduced the waistcoat to England.

 Worn by Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle in Pride and Prejudice. Oh my. I have watched this T.V series so many times that I recognised these two outfits as soon as I walked into the room. I prefer this version much more to the more recent film with Keira Knightley, although I like that as well.  

 I didn't get the sign with information in this photo, but I think it was an outfit from Sense and Sensibility. I love the gold embroidery on the purple fabric.

Worn by Louise Lombard and Stella Gonet in The House of Elliot. It was actually seeing these two costumes that influenced me to go and watch the programme. It's about a couple of sisters who become fashion designers in the 1920's. 1920's = gorgeous costumes!

Worn by Maggie Smith and Michelle Dockery in Downton Abbey! I love this gorgeous red dress worn by Lady Mary in Downton Abbey, the cut is just so flattering and the detail on the bodice is beautiful.

Worn by Helena Bonham Carter and Colin Firth in The King's Speech. These two outfits are simple but stylish. If you haven't seen this film yet then go and watch it now!

And, last but definitely not least, this amazing dress worn by Keira Knightley in The Duchess. This film was filled with loads of opulent outfits and towering headpieces. This is the outfit which feautures on the DVD cover.

Have you seen any of these films and T.V programmes? What did you think of the costumes?
Linking up with Nicole for Treat Yo' Self Thursday and Alisha for Lovely Thursdays