My folks and I went to London today. Had a good time, the best however was the return home, to lovely, green Winchcombe.

I took them to Dinings, wanted them to taste the most awesome sushi and sashimi there was. I ordered all my favourites, but the yellowtail sushi with tosazu jelly and fresh truffles was heavenly.  Shame it all cost a kidney. 😉

We spent a lovely day in Wales today. Not quite sure where we were, somewhere where the road ended, according to the GPS. Close to a stunning Rhossily Beach, close to a rock called Worm’s Head. We walked along the coast, breathing in all the goodness and acquired quite some appetite, so we went for lunch to one of the places directly on the cliff. Friendly Polish staff, excellent beer, tasty fish in a great batter, the chips not as awesome as in Broadway.  Stunning views, lovely company. What more to ask for.

After a nice long walk round Sudeley Castle, I took my guests today to The White Hart Inn for lunch. I took them, is perhaps a bit of an overstatement, Darek insisted on paying. I love their mash, gravy today  could have been a touch thicker maybe, the sausages, especially the local pork ones are excellent. Washed down with a pint of Otter.

I felt like good fish and chips for the whole day. That place in Broadway came to mind straight away, recommended by lots of people, plus young Matt is moving there in less than a month and good for him!

I approve of this place. I do. Lovely service, friendly, polite. Loooooooovely chips, fried on oil, greasy and flavoursome, just what I wanted. Lovely haddock, as pictured, nicely presented, fresh and for less than a tenner. Definitely going back.

Far away from the class and the bestestness of Dinings, we found a place where we’ll be eating at often. Although it’s in Cirencester, 30 mins drive from us, but the drive is a stunning one, so we don’t mind.

Soushi serves lovely fresh sashimi, I was looking forward to it for the whole day today and then I had it, with some warm sake. The taste of raw salmon dipped in soy sauce is one of my most favourite ones ever.  I  had it to start with and then instead of a dessert. Loved the unagi as well, it tasted as if the chef put it on the grill for just a second, it had this lovely char-grilled taste. And our second salmon avo roll had an extra of a chopped shiso, that we asked for and we got, therefore the chef had an Asahi on his way from us promptly. Lovely place.

We’re still enjoying discovering different places around Winchcombe. Today we set off to Broadway, been on the Tower, been to a nuclear bunker and drove down to Gretton, to The Royal Oak pub, recommended to Florek by someone at work. Behind the bar there was Ian, one of Lion’s customers and among guests Martin, Lion’s new head chef. It felt nearly cosy!

We both had roast, mine was lovely soft, succulent pork, with perfectly cooked parsnips and carrots and crispy spuds. Gravy not as sensational as in Prestbury,  but on the whole, with a nice half pint of Peroni, very, very nice.

When one works 5 days a week serving food, one waits for Sunday and wants to go out,eat out and get some service. Which is what Oluta and Florek did today, they went to Cheltenham and re-visited Raymond Blanc’s place. His brasserie in London we remembered very fondly, so I booked us a table and off we went.

First impression- crap. We sat without drinks or attention for something like 15 minutes and then the guy caught my “what the fuck, mate?” look , apologised and showered us with attention from then onwards.

Food wise we both went for the steak tartare, we loved it first time, today we had a main course portion each. Fantastically seasoned, with lovely French bread to go with it, some French fries and a nice, fresh salad of avo, tomatoes, lettuce and creme fraiche. A glass of Medoc  completed the picture.

Definitely going back to Raymond’s at some point, the boy who overlooked us at the start though only got 3 quid tip. Too bad.

I can’t remember when I had the traditional bread and butter pud, the simple one, last time. I had the brioche and apricot one, yum, the one with chocolate chips, yum, this evening Alice made for us the real deal. I was genuinely surprised at how good it was, as Alice strikes me as   generally anti-all-food. Yet she produced a great end to the meal, made with white bread, sultanas, milk, egg and spices. It was moist and delicious.

I’m going to upload a few photos that will surely annoy me big time if a few months, when this phenomenal sushi will not be available to me any more.

Alex got a Sushi Roll Masterclass from The Chief today, he was supposed to make around 50  rolls to practise his skill and get rid of any bad habits. The result of this marathon was our staff meal, and what a staff meal it was! We had spicy tuna, spicy salmon, spider, shrimp tempura and veggie rolls to devour. Some photos…

Only one more take away for me and then sayonara lovely rolls. It will be painful.

There is a place in Szczawno Zdroj, a nice restaurant with lovely atmoshpere, decent service and lovely food. Where they serve pierogi nearly as good as home made. We went back there today after a night in the mountains with Zatrybki, where we enjoyed simple food, spartan conditions,  lovely fresh air and great company. And in the reception this morning the hosts played Metallica’s “S&M”album. I very much approve.

In the restaurant, Gosciniec Solicki, we ordered 5 portions of pierozki, some with potato and cheese filling- ruskie- my favourite, some with spinach and cheese. And while we waited, they served some home made smalec with pickled cucumbers, fresh red onion and bread. Smalec is an insanely unhealthy pig’s lard with fried bits of meat and onion and well seasoned, all cooked to death and left to set, then served as a spread on bread. In winter, as tasty as only great Polish food can be. Yum.

This place will be visited again.