The Chocolate Cafe, Ramsbottom by Hannah

Hello, my name is Hannah and I'm a chocoholic... Give me sweet stuff over savoury any day.

After having the mother of all headaches, I felt the urge to seize this beautiful day and get out and about in the countryside. Fresh air was desperately needed to blow my cobwebs away.

The entirety of Bolton is currently gridlocked due to roadworks EVERYWHERE so the hubby and I decided to venture elsewhere with nowhere in particular in mind. After having a ride out for an hour we ended up homing in on our favorite place - Ramsbottom.

We had a gander around Summerseat Garden Centre and then tengo hambre (I have hunger) happened. This is my code word to Elliott that it's time to find somewhere to eat quick before the grumpy hungry Hannah sets in.

I really fancied the Chocolate Cafe. Last time we came was about 2 years ago and we had the most awesome brekkie. The signs outside were enough to make me to take a diversion through its doors.

On the ground floor they have a lovely gift shop packed with a range of exclusive chocolate gifts, even chocolate pizzas!

If you have a chocoholic in your family then this is a great place to get unique presents, especially with Easter fast approaching.

After scouring the menu I decided to opt for an afternoon tea to get a selection of goodies that wouldn't ruin my Mum's roast later on. As you can see below, the most amazing stack of food turned up.

Starting from the bottom, our sandwiches. I went for a BLT, which was packed with bacon and yumminess. Elliott went for a tuna melt which was amazing with two types of cheese. They also came with a side salad, homemade coleslaw and crisps. The sandwiches were packed with filling. 

Moving up, fruit scones with cream and jam. I was way too full to pack these in. Unfortunately, raisins and currents are my all time hated food stuffs (closely followed by aniseed flavoured stuff and cinnamon) so I asked for a box so I could take them home for my Mum and Nanna. I know they won't have trouble polishing them off later!

Finally, we had a selection of Chocolate Cafe chocolates - champagne truffles, walnut chocolates, little penguins, and chocolate shards with bubblegum millions, popping candy and mint crystals. The bubblegum ones were my fave, reminding me of my school days going into the off licence on the walk home for a huge paper bag of millions. Deee-lish!

The reason we came was for a drink and a quick bite, and from my memory I remember the hot chocolates being the reason to come back. I ordered a luxury hot chocolate, which was to die for, made from layers of real melted chocolate and textured milk. 

It came with a  plate of chocolate delight - marshmallows, cream, grated milk and white chocolate and a couple of white chocolate sticks. Liquid heaven!

Elliott normally steers us clear of cafes as he never feels like he's had a decent meal in them. However, he's definitely been converted by this place. He loved it and I got my chocolate fix in the process. The food and drink was amazing. The service was also impeccable and I'd like to mention the young man who served us as he was a delight.

Looking at the view through the window I noticed a banner in front of the fountain advertising the annual Chocolate Festival next weekend, so if you're around go and sample the delights!

I'm gutted we won't be around for it, as we are venturing off to our fair capital city for my birthday. London town blogs to look forward to!

Cardamom Cream, Ramsbottom

Everyone loves a curry don't they?

Each and every time I have Indian food it is a different experience.
Be it a takeaway, my home cooked attempts or a visit to a restaurant, it satisfies that deep craving we all have at least once a week from time to time...

One of the best ways to spend a family meal out is to head to an Indian Restaurant, but the dilemma is always which one to choose.
There are bloody loads of them around here and each one is someone's favourite and highly recommended.

Well now I have my fave!

Once again Ramsbottom comes to the foodie rescue.  Hannah's parents fancied a meal out and we had noticed Cardamom Cream when driving through the town earlier that week.

The first thing to mention is how nice the decor is inside.  The place looks upmarket from outside and carries this glitzy theme when you enter.

There is a chandelier on the way to the bathrooms, comfy suede chairs and attention to detail all around the luxury dining room.

This is not your run of the mill place for a Ruby Murray.

Starting off with papadoms and chutney is the law when we have an Indian.  They are actually the thing I look forward to the most.

We ran out of the tomato chutney but this was quickly replenished at no extra charge.  A lovely touch.

I find it hard to decide what to choose, so have been favouring thalis recently.  

Thali (meaning plate) is a selection of different dishes served in small bowls on a round tray - Indian meets Tapas.
This perfect combination allows someone like me, who likes to try a bit of everything, to have a wide variety of meals in one!

We chose two Maharajah Thalis, one meat version and one vegetable/fish.  The chef prepared us dishes suited to our wimpy tastes so we didn't have anything too spicy.

The food was light and full of wonderful flavours, easily some of the best Indian food I can claim to have eaten.  From a succulent Lamb Rogan Josh to a tangy Fish Tikka Masala and accompanied by a great Tarka Daal, these were just some of the Chef's selection we tried.

I did write down the names of all the dishes, but a broken phone means I can no longer recall what each one was...

Regardless, they were all tremendous.

Levanter Fine Foods, Ramsbottom

I am unashamedly proud to be Spanish.

That was the case back when I got a huge amount of stick from my friends as England beat Spain in Euro '96 and it was still the case when Spain marched to victory in the three consecutive football tournaments of 2008, 2010 and 2012.

I have also been certified as an adopted-Lancastrian, according to my Wife, after complaining about it being 'too hot down South' and wishing for 'a bit of drizzle' during a trip to visit my family in Hampshire.

Given the above, I am sure you can imagine my delight when I found out that a tapas bar had opened over in Ramsbottom, bringing together the world's best cuisine with England's best county.  

I have had my fair share of tapas all across Spain and have found that nothing is better than a small backstreet bar that serves up a lively atmosphere and authentic food.  As far as taperias go in England, I have not had much success finding a good one... until now.

Levanter rises up (pun intented) above all other tapas bars I have been to in the UK.  In fact, it gives the best taperias of Spain a run for their money too.

We had tried to eat at Levanter a few times over the summer but they always seemed to be full.  On this visit it was almost as busy but luckily we arrived as a couple were leaving.

The restaurant is small with a large bar, just like in Spain, and the atmosphere was lively in a homely way.  Like stepping into a house full of your family who are already having rousing conversation.  
It is this welcoming and bubbly atmosphere that makes the tapas bars a success and Levanter is no exception.

We were greeted warmly and seated before being offered drinks.  
And guess what?!  They even serve Fanta Lemon: my quintessential drink of holidays in the sun. 

What followed was the best tapas I have had the pleasure to eat for a very long time.  The dishes are served traditionally, so they arrive as and when they are cooked.  You can keep reordering to your heart's content.

Lamb Cutlets and Salsa Verde:
Often, chuletas de cordero can be chewy and without flavour but the team at Levanter deliver incredible flavour and texture with this dish.  Served with olives and a tangy salsa, it was a great start to our meal.

Mussels in Fino with Serrano:
Served in a cast iron pot, the mussels were large, fresh and delicious.  The small slivers of garlic and red onion brought flavour to the broth at the bottom which I finished off with the bread.

Fuego Chorizo with Honey and Sherry Vinegar:
A modern twist on the old classic chorizo al vino tinto you find in most taperias.  This version knocked the proverbial socks off its traditional counterpart as the flavour from the honey complimented the meat perfectly.

Deep Fried Manchego and Crispy Jamón:
Without doubt the best tapa I have eaten. Melted cheese and a sweet dipping salsa made for a wonderful flavour on the tongue.
I would go back just for this dish.  In fact I want it again now!

I could not be more happy that I have finally found a restaurant in the UK worthy enough to be called a taperia.  Even better, it is right on my doorstep in the amazing food hotspot that is Ramsbottom.

One thing that is for sure:  when Spain and Lancashire come together good things happen. 

The Fisherman's Retreat, Ramsbottom

We had a pleasant surprise a couple of weeks ago when my in-laws called us up one evening to see if we fancied a bite to eat.

With no particular restaurant in mind, we headed to Ramsbottom as there are so many good eateries to choose from (like Hearth of the Ram) and I was hoping to tick a new place off my 'must try' list.

After driving around in a thunderstorm debating where to try, we stopped off for a drink at the Eagle and Child. 

We decided to stay here and eat but all at once the pub got surprisingly busy for a Tuesday night.  Our tummies were rumbling so after waiting 30 minutes we decided not to wait any longer for a table and continued on our journey.  Maybe next time!

My Mother-in-Law, Liz, remembered a spot only 10 minutes away which she had eaten at a few years ago, so we decided to see what had become of The Fisherman's Retreat.

A little off the beaten track, the restaurant is surrounded by the rolling Lancashire countryside and has beautiful views in all directions.  With 80 acres of land, they rear much of the restaurant's meat and catch fish from the on-site fishery.  Can't get fresher than that!

We were welcomed by the friendly staff and invited to take a look at the menu from the comfort of the big sofas in the lounge.  With an extensive cocktail menu (Hannah had a Forbidden Fruit), hundreds of whiskies and champagne on display and beers on draught this is a great place to pop in for a scenic drink.

The restaurant itself has been transformed beyond recognition and is often used as a wonderful wedding venue thanks to the renovation.  

The end wall is now a huge floor to ceiling window which allows you to gaze at the vista while you munch on your locally produced nosh.  

The storm had just passed so we had the pleasure to eat as the sun streamed through the clouds and the blue skies emerged.

To start I chose the pheasant and asparagus.  I have had a real appetite for game recently and took the opportunity to try one of the specials on offer.

If you have never eaten game, I would urge you to try it as each different bird has a unique and wild taste to it.  This dish fully satisfied my craving and the pheasant was moist and light.

Liz had a most beautiful dish of Thai spiced fishcakes, sweet chilli jam and Thai noodle salad which not only looked amazing but delivered on flavour too.

Both Hannah and her Dad ordered the very generous portion of smoked salmon with horseradish sauce and sundried tomatoes. It was delicate but meaty too but instead of coming warm as described on the menu, it came chilled.

Earlier, whilst we had been relaxing in the lounge, the staff had served an amazing looking burger to another table.  I couldn't find it on the menu so I asked the waitress about it who informed me it was from the lunch menu.  Perhaps it was my puppy dog eyes that convinced her to let me and Liz order it as a main that evening.

The rump steak burger had a strong meaty taste which went perfectly with the smoked bacon, fried onions and red onion chutney.  Chutney on a burger is my new religion...

Lamb on the menu.  No question that Hannah is having it.  

A simple rule we seem to live by but unfortunately this ended up as the low point of our meal.  The lamb cutlets, despite being offered as pink, were very overdone and the gravy seemed to have come from granules rather than the cranberry jús described on the menu.
You can't get one past Hannah, the gravy connoisseur.  Such a shame.

Gordon, my Father-in-Law, ordered Chicken Roulade which wrapped the chicken with Macsween haggis and prosciutto ham and served it with new potatoes, leeks, wild mushrooms and baby spinach before covering it with a wholegrain mustard cream sauce.

I cheekily tried it and if I go again I would be sorely tempted to order it for myself.

I think, despite the midweek blips when it came to the food, the Fisherman's Retreat is definitely worth another go.  

The views and amazing selection of drinks alone would encourage me to return.  

Ramsbottom Wartime Weekend by Hannah

A Lancashire family go on holiday to Benidorm and order some food at a restaurant. The father, thinking his pie is lacking in gravy, calls the waiter over and asks " 'ast tha Bisto fort pah?" The waiter says in a southern English accent, "I'm sorry, mate, I don't speak Spanish..."

As the wife of a Southerner/Spaniard, we get crossed wires like this every now and again. In order to culturally integrate my husband into the North I like to take him on a drive out and see what there is going on in the area with the promise of good food at the end of it (Hearth of the Ram Review).

As with most summer bank holidays it was guaranteed to rain. After a small amount of grumbling and ordering the husband to change his shoes, I whipped out the anoraks and we headed off on our adventures. There is always something special going on hidden in the towns and villages of the North come rain or shine.

It has been particularly rainy today but that didn't put us off travelling back in time for Ramsbottom's 'Wartime Weekend'.

I love it when local towns do something out of the ordinary and this was no exception. The people and businesses of Ramsbottom really make an effort and transform the little town into a historical extravaganza by dressing up and offering a trip down memory lane. When we arrived there was even a 1940s themed wedding going on!

This is the 16th time the event has been held and has always been very successful. It is not only about dressing up but offering an insight into life during the war. With period memorabilia lining shop windows, short films and posters, wartime recipes and vintage clothing stalls, this annual event is worth putting in your calendar.

The event offers some amazing photo opportunities and I've added a small gallery to give you a flavour of what is on offer. 

Tomorrow is the last day if you want to get in your time machine (or car) and see for yourself.

© Hannah Bermudez and www.itsgrimupnorth.co.uk, 2014. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to the previous named author and this website with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.