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Strada Restaurant
by beauty88
I went to Strada last thursday with a few friends. None of us had ever tried any Strada restaurants before so thought we'd give it a try.
***Location***
It is located in the recently created Spinningfields area of Manchester, however isnt in the obvious centre part where the open air cinema is, but a few ... minutes round the back closer to the apartment blocks. Because this part of Spinningfields is slightly hidden from view it is as a result much quieter and was actually quite eerie, however it meant we could easily get a table in the place.
***Restaurant***
The restaurant was much bigger than I expected, it is a vast space including a large bar area and a long dining area stretching out along a glass wall of windows. I was really impressed by the look of the place and overall it looked modern and new. The furniture was modern looking and the tables well spaced out. We were given the choice of where to sit which was nice and we chose a table next to the window which was nice and light.
We noticed that the place was very quiet, other than a few groups of young professionals who looked like they had come direct from work, the place was deserted. This was a good thing in some respects as we hadn't made a reservation, and I suppose I would prefer that to the place being packed, yet it was almost a bit too quiet! Luckily there was subtle music playing while we were there which broke the silence in the place a little.
***Drinks***
We decided we would share a bottle of wine with the meal. There was a nice choice of wines and 3 Rose wines to choose from which ranged from £17-£21 which was reasonable. The wine was brought by the waitress in a cooler and was poured out for us. We also asked for a jug of water which arrived chilled with ice and was also poured out. We were a bit disappointed that there weren't any cocktails on the menu. Most restaurants these days, particularly chains, have a few cocktails on the drinks menu so it was a shame they didn't as we may have stayed longer if this had been the case.
***Food***
We all decided to order starters so I chose the Arancini Ragu which are risotto balls containing beef & tomato ragu and mozzarella and coated in breadcrumbs. It was £4.50 for this starter and I was a little disappointed in it. I got 3 of the breaded balls presented on a small plate with no other garnish etc, so they looked a bit odd just sat there on their own. They were nice and hot and I enjoyed the mozzarella element and the breadcrumbs they were coated in, but I could barely detect the beef and tomato ragu which I could only just see if I looked closely and could barely taste. Also the balls weren't too big and with only 3 of them it wasn't a very big starter considering the price.
For my main course I ordered the Rigatoni Siciliana which was rigatoni pasta servied in a tomato & basil sauce with aubergines, courgettes, peppers and finished with ricotta. This dish was £8.75 and worth every penny. To start with the portion was generous which was a relief considering the size of the starter. There was plenty of pasta served but also lots of aubergines, pepper and courgette pieces. I often find restaurants are quite sparing with the vegetables in pasta dishes, but that wasn't the case here where there was plenty of veg in my dish. Everything was cooked well and the dish was hot when it arrived. The vegetables had plenty of taste and had clearly been cooked properly and not boiled to death. The sauce was very tasty, particularly since it was simple tomato & basil sauce, it was very rich and enjoyable. I was also pleased with the ricotta which was a generous portion placed in the centre of the bowl and lasted me throughout the dish.
Therefore overall I had mixed feelings about the food but the delicious main meal definitely made up for the slightly disappointing starter.
***Service***
Because the restaurant was so quiet, despite there only being a couple of waitresses they had plenty of time to see to everything we needed. The waitress was always present to take our order when we were ready, and empty plates were cleared away quickly but we never felt rushed. The food also arrived very quickly which was a relief as we were all hungry, but again I think this is due to how quiet the place was.
The waitress was also very helpful telling us the special dishes of the day and was always polite with us. We never had any need to complain or ask for anything out of the ordinary so I can't comment on how this would be handled.
***Value***
We asked for the bill and it wad brought to us quickly. Considering we had 2 courses each and wine the bill was a reasonable price and worked out at roughly £20 each including a tip. I was more than happy to pay this amount for what had been an overall good meal. We all paid in cash which was straightforward. I thought the main course was on a par with a dish I would expect from a good Italian restaurant and the price was also similar. I wouldn't say this place is a complete bargain but for the quality of the food the price was very reasonable and good value.
***Cleanliness***
The restaurant and all crockery, cutlery and glassware was immaculate and new looking. Despite the place being new, it is still clear that it is kept very clean and tidy which showed when we were there and gave me confidence in the hygiene in the kitchen area.
***Overall Opinion***
Overall this is a very good restaurant which service generally good food (depending what you order) which appears to be made from fresh ingredients and cooked freshly. The service was very pleasing and I really liked the clean modern surroundings. The only downside of the place was the lack of atmosephere due to how quiet it was, which isnt a failing of the restaurant and out of their control, but did make the whole dining experience feel slightly awkward. I can imagine this would be even worse if you went as a couple. But other than this I have no complaints and would recommend this restaurant for a good quality Italian meal at good value.
***Contact Details***
4a Leftbank
Irwell Square,
Spinningfields,
Manchester
M3 3AN
Tel: 0161 819 5691
Website: www.strada.co.uk/italian-restaurant/manc​hester-spinningfields
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Cinnabon (UK)
by sylvetteintheuk
Those of you lucky enough to have travelled to the USA may have come across CINNABON and their famous CINNAMON ROLLS. First created in 1985, CINNABON is now a well known chain that you can find in many American malls and airports. My good friends in New-England introduced me to these delightful pastries a few years ago and this is how my ... quest for Cinabon started.
There are 3 CINNABON stores in the UK situated in London, Cambridge and Lakeside shopping center. (There used to be one at West Quay Southampton and one outside Legoland). As the stores are franchise, hopefully there might be more opening in the near future.
The only store I have ever visited is the one just off Trafalgar Square, next to the "Ripley's Believe it or Not" attraction. It is a small shop and despite a few posters outside you might not notice it's there if it wasn't for the tantalizing smell that lingers on the pavement.
If you go in, you will be faced with a limited range of products, all of them variations of the "classic "cinnamon roll. My choice is easily made. I go for the "classic" every time but one could easily be tempted by the "Caramel Pecanbon" or the "Chocobon". The cinnabons come in 3 different sizes. I love the tiny bite-size ones....I just need lots of them. However I usually go for a box of 4 full-sized buns for £ 10...and some extra frosting for 50 p.
There aren't enough adjectives to describe how delicious these are. Admittedly, I absolutely love cinnamon and anything with cinnamon in it but these buns are just the most mouth-watering, gooey, sweet creations. ( Did I mention they were 800 calories each?!?!) . If I know I am going up to London, I look forward to my visit to Cinnabon for days in advance and I always bring a box home to share. They keep well and are particularly good microwaved and served lukewarm. Occasionally the box does not make it home and all I'm left with is some very sticky fingers and a guilty conscience!
The Cinnabon website ( www.cinnabon.co.uk) has been updated recently and offers the possibility to mail order boxes of 4 or 6 for a £5 delivery charge.
If the urge gets too much, I might just do that...
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Taste Academy (Rhyl)
by noodlesandwich
Taste Academy in Rhyl is a cafe and restaurant which is run by a youth charity in conjunction with the local council. They provide training, work experience and qualifications for young people entering the catering trade. I visited with my husband and daughter early on a Friday evening toward the end of August this year.
It's ... a new looking square building on the seafront. There are two entrances, one to the cafe side and the other to the restaurant area. We went into the cafe first and found it was Tapas night, apparently they do different themes on different evenings, as we weren't in the mood for Tapas we relocated to the restaurant area to have a look at their menu instead.
The decor is outstanding. The cafe side is very bright with lots of primary clashing colours, the restaurant colour scheme is quieter but still bold with lots of textures and striking shapes around. The toilets are in a corridor between the two eating areas, and they looked amazing; huge, nature inspired features snake across the walls. It made me wonder if they train young artists and interior decorators too. Take a corridor full of crazy decor, add in a hefty dose of end of holiday tiredness and one large glass of wine and the result is a feeling of disorientation on the way back to the table, I was relieved to find I had gone through the correct door.
The service on the whole was good. We were served by two young staff members, both of whom seemed a little inexperienced but more than made up for it in helpful attitude, manners and charm. The soundtrack to our evening meal was a medley of eighties ballads, an unusual and not entirely appreciated, (by us), choice, but at least it gave us something to laugh about.
There were a lot of glasses around, I think there were eight glasses on our table, and after we'd ordered a pot of tea, one glass of juice and one of wine which added two more glasses to the table, it would have been helpful to have had the rest cleared away rather than left to clutter up the table. Still, a fairly minor niggle.
My daughter was given an activity bag, which the waitress promised her straight away but then kept forgetting. When it came it was minimal and dated, (do any children know who the Boobahs are these days?), just joking, it was fine - many places don't give anything to children and the waitress, whilst a tad forgetful was very pleasant to my overtired, babbling incoherent child. Presumably they get a few overtired children in there as they are only a short walk away from the 'Children's Village' fun fair. I noticed some highchairs and there was a toddler at one of the other tables.
According to the menu, the food is locally sourced and seasonal. There wasn't a great deal of vegetarian choice amongst the mains although there were a couple of fish dishes. I wasn't that hungry, so chose a starter for my main; the chef's special vegetarian starter that day was Deep Fried Camembert; lovely gooey cheese in breadcrumbs with cranberry sauce attractively presented on a bed of salad leaves and vegetables. It was mighty tasty, fried cheese and me, can't go wrong. My partner went for haddock and chips, served with a selection of vegetables. The fish was freshly cooked and battered and it was a substantial serving which was thoroughly enjoyed. Our daughter had fish fingers and chips which she appeared to find quite palatable. The only dessert we purchased was Welsh ice cream for my daughter, this came with a wafer biscuit and tasted good, although it wasn't anything special. Drinkswise they made a nice pot of tea and the house red was pleasant enough.
Our bill was reasonable at under £25. We were surprised at the lack of customers, no more than two or three tables filled while we were there, but despite this lack of appreciation from the locals/tourists it all looked great, the food was flavourful, the service friendly and there were no complaints from us. Taste Academy gets my recommendation.
More Details:
Location: the seafront in Rhyl. A short walk from the train station and bus routes. We parked in one of the pay and display car parks along the seafront.
Address: East Parade, Rhyl, LL18 3AF
Phone: 01745 344 442
Website: www.tasteacademy.co.uk
Opening Times: Tuesday - Saturday: 10am - 10pm, Sunday and Monday: 10am - 5pm.
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