I had a lovely day afternoon out with my friends in Derby at the weekend, we ate out at lunchtime, I sank a couple of ciders and the odd Pimms in the afternoon but I can never resist the urge for a brew and by late afternoon I was a bit peckish again. So we visited The Kitchen in Sadler Gate. My friend has been regularly visiting this little bistro every week and I can see why. They have freshly baked cakes on offer, a fabulous menu and drinks galore!. I even got the chance to have a gluten free panini packed with ham, cheese and caramelised onion.....hurrah gluten free bread on the menu gets me doing my happy dance. With fries on the side and a coleslaw to die for I was a happy customer.

I chose to accompany my delish meal with a caffeine free tea and the milk came in a cute little bottle. It's the small things that I just love, those little touches that make it different from everywhere else. The staff were very friendly and so helpful. Just a great place which I'm sure I will visit again. There was plenty of room to sit inside and also the option of sitting outside in the sunshine, and we were blessed with a lovely warm day. The counter was packed with cake which I believe they bake on site and what a selection, you can even take some away too if you have filled yourself up on your meal. 

The only thing I would say and I'm not picking on this establishment  but all places who offer cakes and bakes and that is that can we ditch the gluten free chocolate brownie yet? The one cake that gluten free eaters get a bit tired of seeing. It's the only option at a lot of places but we eat other cake too. This was only my first visit and they may have other gluten free options so I do apologise if that's the case. I always see it as a sign that it's a good thing really as I don't really need to be eating loads of cake and I had eaten a lot that day. Might explain while I've added 3lb to my waistline so yep maybe I should be saying stick with the brownie and do not tempt me with any other cake! 

The Kitchen is well worth a visit so please go and take a look, the food is excellent and served with a smile so you won't be disappointed. Just leave me something though if you're all going to rush there. They do have a Facebook page at www.facebook.com/thekitchenderby/ so go over and give them a like and take a look at what they have to offer

Have a good week everyone and I will be back tomorrow for Whatever Wednesday so pop along for that, for now though thanks for reading. 

I popped in The Post House for a brew before a quick flash mob with Rock Choir, like you do randomly on a Saturday morning. It was really nice. An independent restaurant and bar situated in the old Derby post office building. This confuses me slightly as the old post office as I knew it was a bit further down the street but his also must have been home of the posties at some point. I will go and brush up on my derby history or as I call it 'ask mum'.
This place has a lovely seated courtyard and units which offer different food and drink options. 

Unit 1 Bar - offering the best quality soft drinks, hand selected wines, spirits, lager and cider.
Unit 2 Chocolate Alchemy - a small artisan chocolatier who have a range of gorgeous chocolates, cake, coffee and tea. 
www.chocolate-alchemy.co.uk
Unit 3 Fresh Rootz cook award winning vegetarian/vegan food.
Unit 4 Lorentes is a spanish tapas and wine bar www.lorentes.co.uk
Unit 5 Tollgate Brewery are a micro brewery with the finest ales available. 
www.tollgatebrewery.co.uk
Unit 6 Bohn's produce handmade gourmet burgers made from locally sourced ingredients. www.bohnsrubs.co.uk
Unit 7 Sapori Pizza Italiana have the best pizzas available in Derby. 
Unit 8 Cocktail Bar - grab the very best artisan alcoholic or non alcoholic cocktails here.

Brilliant eh? You don't need to move anywhere else, there's everything here. I  just started with a pot of tea from Chocolate Alchemy, even resisting the beautiful array of chocolate delights on offer. Not sure how or why I did! It was a bit early for the bar or any cocktails and it wouldn't have looked good turning up a bit squiffy from too much fizz at my Rock Choir gig. I know its not very rock and roll but I stayed safe with tea. I feel I need to return for a good session of good quality food and a tipple or two. It's just a great idea having somewhere where you can pick and choose what you want to eat and drink. This is also useful if you are in a group of people as everyone always fancies something different to eat. 

The staff were very friendly and with it being very new I had a very friendly chap explain the set up and what was available. He explained how people would peer in to see what it was all about, taking their time to actually venture in but I think that was a nice touch to actually welcome customers in and just give a little introduction. I'm impressed and look forward to going back.  Well done for creating something a bit different, it's nice to see a change.

If you would like more information, there is a website at: 
www.theposthousederby.co.uk
they are situated on Victoria Street in Derby (opposite the old Debenhams store). Go give it a try and let me know what you think. 

Thanks for reading. I will be back tomorrow for Whatever Wednesday. 

I pass this place every day when taking my son to school and have always thought that I must pop in sometime, it is a tearoom and I couldn't pass it by any longer. I'm talking about The Potting Shed Cafe at Markeaton Garden Centre in Derby.

It is such a lovely building with plenty of seating and a good selection of food on the menu. I ordered tea and a slice gluten free Victoria Sandwich which tasted just great. It had a hint of almond in it which was a bit of a surprise, I'm not usually a big almond fan but it was a very mild taste and the sponge was so light it didn't feel at all stodgy. The staff were very friendly and we had a really nice experience. I would return and probably consume more tea and food which isn't a bad thing, it's all about survival.

The only other thing I would say about this place and I hate being negative but it is like a little oasis in the middle of quite untidy surroundings. Markeaton Garden Centre isn't the best one in the area and I do think it could be so much more. I just wish they would develop the garden centre to match the beautiful Potting Shed. As a family we do love their Christmas lights later in the year, it's a sign that Christmas has officially started when Markeaton Garden Centre lights up and sparkles for the festive period. 

The Potting Shed also offer Bistro nights with live music which I'd love to try as it looks so different at night. Such a great idea. For more information on the Garden Centre and Tearoom please go to: 
www.markeatongardencentre.com
but for more updates and information regarding The Potting Shed Cafe itself go to their Facebook page at:
www.facebook.com/The-Potting-Shed-Cafe-1759777050933043/

Go for a brew and let me know what you think anyway, for me I will definitely return as I just cannot resist great tasting cake and a nice pot of tea, not even long after my breakfast which is when I had these delights. Cake for breakfast, is a good idea, well we can eat croissants and pain au chocolat for breakfast can't we? Not me obviously as my body is a temple, I am forever subscribed to Slimming World (oops just choked on my brew). Life is too short to worry about syns and points sometimes, says she who has done well all day on my diet and blew it last minute with a McDonalds Milk Shake. Doh!! It was soooooo nice. 

Anyway thanks for the read. I will be back tomorrow for Whatever Wednesday so join me then.

Take care for now........

I've been drinking Barry's Tea, no I've not pinched a bloke called Barry's brew from him but its an Irish blend of tea I found in my local Asda.

I think it comes very close to the Guinness I have now had to sacrifice since going gluten free, I miss you so much Guinness! Barry's do a good job though with this tea. I think it is a really nice brew.

Barry's Tea was founded in 1901 by James J. Barry and turned into a very long and successful family business. Up until the 60's the tea was mainly sold from a shop in Cork but as it became more popular sales spread to the rest of the country and further a field. They sell a good range of tea such as:
 
Signature Blends in Gold Blend, Irish Breakfast, Decaf, Classic Blend and Original

Loose Leaf Tea in Gold Blend, Classic Blend, and Original Blend

Speciality Teas in Earl Grey and Rooibos

Green Teas in Organic, Natural, Lemon, Mint, and Apple and Pear

and

Fruit & Infusions which include Organic Peppermint, Organic Camomile, Very Berry and Lemon & Ginger

They are available online to buy and you can read more about the story behind The Barry family and their tea at
www.barrystea.ie

I would definitely try another blend, I'm actually drinking the Irish Breakfast Blend while writing this now, I know, and it's evening. We all know though that breakfast tea is an all day tea, but to be honest it was the only blend they had in Asda but I may visit the website store myself and purchase some more. 

I will soon need a shed to keep all my tea in, I seem to be buying it faster than I can drink it. Oh that gives me an idea of a tea shed, with all my tea and teapots, a big old fashioned chair and kettle. I could just go down to the bottom of the garden to escape, like a woman cave. I feel an entry to 'Shed of the Year' coming on. 

So try a bit of Barry's Tea, I can recommend it. I could see myself stepping away from my tea shed, returning to the Emerald Isle and sitting in front of the beautiful scenery with a nice mug of Barry's, ahhhhh perfect!

Thanks for reading and daydreaming with me too today. I will be back tomorrow, if I haven't popped on the next Irish Ferry for a bit of Whatever Wednesday. 

Take care for now........