#INSTALUNCH Shear's Yard Leeds

I hold my hands up, I'm addicted to posting pictures of our food on Instagram #sorry. Rather than seek help, I'm  fanning the flames and taking it to the next level… #INSTALUNCH. 

I eat, I snap, I tell you all about it… 

This month I'm in Leeds at the wonderful Shears Yard where beautifully presented modern British food, local produce and savoury, yes savoury, cocktails are the order of the day.

What I ate…

To start I had a ham hock terrine with pickled spring vegetables and piccalilli sauce, followed by a seriously delicious Hake on a bed of casseroled beef with tomatoes from the chef’s mate. Dessert blew my mind – an almond frangipane cake with rum-soaked black cherries and blackberry liquorice sorbet. The menu changes frequently to use the best seasonal and local ingredients.

What I drank…

Blueberry Brambles, a refreshing carrot juice based cocktail and savoury cocktails with marmite (try them, they’re good) and homemade liquors. My favourite was their new rhubarb cocktail. 

What I wore…

What it costs…

About £30 per person for a starter, main, dessert and cocktail but there’s a fixed price menu for £17.50 and bottles of wine from £10. 

What’s the verdict?

The interior of exposed brick, filament light bulbs and poured concrete floors is uber cool, there’s a lovely terrace for summer cocktails and the food is super tasty. Throw in accommodating, knowledgeable staff and purse-friendly prices and you’re on to a winner.

4.5/5

Shears Yard, 11-15 Wharf Street, The Calls, Leeds, LS2 7EH.

#INSTABRUNCH at Jago Shoreditch

I review Jago, a Middle Eastern restaurant in Shoreditch, east London armed with only a phone, a slight hangover and an insatiable appetite for brunch 

I hold my hands up, I’m addicted to posting pictures of our food on Instagram #sorry. The beautiful Jago is an orange dream just waiting to be snapped - so I did, enjoy the review and the photos. 

What I ate…

Well it was brunch and I was in the heart of London's Jewish community so it seemed only right that I had a Salt Beef and Chrain (beetroot and horseradish paste) Beigel... not bagel, I'm a connoisseur. It was honestly one of the best bagels/beigels I've had, although the bright pink chrain did stain my top, but then I'm a messy eater. I also tries the Orange Cake with Orange Curd which was very, very Orangey. It knocked my socks off - even if you smoke 40 cigarettes a day your taste buds will have no problems with these bold flavours. 

What I drank…

A fresh cold-pressed green juice which was very refreshing, I also tried a red one which was very nice - the juices come served with ice which makes them taste a little better I think. Anyway, the health conscious are well-catered for, juice-wise, here. I also had an English Breakfast tea but Jago also do a great cafe latte. 

What I wore…

What it costs…

Around £15 per person for a breakfast dish, dessert and a couple of beverages. I was shocked that I'd spent 2 hours eating wonderful food for so little cash.

What’s the verdict?

This place is stunning, it's like a The Conran Store 3015 but with way more orange. It's just a delight to sit in the surroundings. The staff are also very laid back, allowing you to take your time and they cracked a few, genuinely hilar, jokes. I like. I would like to come back and sample their dinner menu.

5/5

Jago, 68-80 Hanbury Street, London E1 5JL

Tom Ford Nail Lacquer in Mink Brule

Most of us girls just love a little bit of luxury in our lives from our favourite designer label, and often entry price point products like cosmetics and perfumes are our foot in the door. This Tom Ford nail lacquer is most definitely the only Tom Ford product I’ll be able to get my grubby mitts on until my long overdue lottery win and a great nail polish it is too.

The formulation is fantastic with one coat providing ample coverage and chipping is minimal (whoop)! The colour is absolutely divine, a kind of souped-up nude that flatters my tanned skin. I recommend.

Tom Ford Nail Lacquer in Mink Brule £26 

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#INSTADINNER Tredwell's Soho

I review Marcus Wareing’s Tredwell’s Restaurant in London’s Covent Garden armed with only a phone and a large appetite. 

I hold my hands up, I’m addicted to posting pictures of our food on Instagram #sorry. Luckily all three floors of Tredwell’s are extremely Instagram-worthy. Here’s the lowdown. 

What I ate…

To start I had the warm Heritage Carrot Salad which was very, well, carroty with a rainbow of carrots on a creamy carrot puree – divine. I also had to try the Chorizo Jam with dipping bread which is like a mini chilli con carne only tastier. 

Mains were the succulent Confit Duck with cabbage and the Short Stack Rib which literally (I saw it happen) fell off the bone. Dessert was a cornflake dish that tasted like the mix you make with your mum for those chocolate cornflake buns and that is, of course, a good thing. I salon tried the sin-free chocolate brownie which tastes better than it should being gluten and sugar free.

What I drank…

Gunpowder gimlet cocktail which is a limey, cardamom drink in a martini glass and utterly refreshing plus a Sparkling Cyanide which was made with Green Chartreuse and Sherry and had a delicious Maraschino cherry at the bottom. 

What I wore…

What it costs…

About £50 per person for a starter, main, dessert and cocktail. You can also pop in just for one of Tredwell’s excellent cocktails at the bar alongside some sharing plates. 

What’s the verdict?

The friendly staff really make this place, I’ve been three times and the welcome is always warmer than warm. The knowledgeable bar staff will even create you a bespoke (and delicious) cocktail if you ask nicely. Laid back dining at its best – this place is great for mates or a dinner date.

5/5

Tredwell's, 4a Upper St Martin's Lane, London WC2H 9NY

Ben and I in Tredwell's

Fountain The Beauty Molecule

I was pretty excited when I was sent some of Fountain’s Molecules, but I’ve started with the now cult Beauty Molecule (£24.99) taking a teaspoon a day. This red liquid contains a shed-load of Resveratrol which is a potent anti-oxidant, found in the skin of red grapes. There’s the equivalent of about a million grapes worth of Resveratrol in here though so eating it in its natural form wouldn’t make a difference.

Anti-oxidants are good for your skin because they protect skin by limiting the production of free radicals, which damage skin cells. This in turn slows aging and lessens inflammation that can make your face look at big, well, haggard.

The Beauty Molecule contains the first water soluble resveratrol on the market, making it super easy for our bodies to absorb it, and use more readily. As well as the power of grape skins there are also anti-oxidants, in the form of black carrot, and hyaluronic acid (the skin's best hydrating ingredient) to give your skin a beautifying glow from within.

Having used it for about two weeks I think I’ve noticed a difference. My skin feels less dry than it usually is at this time of year and does look generally good, not that I really had problem skin to begin with. I think that it’s worth taking just as a vitamin supplement but it’s a bit sweet to take neat so I add it to my green juice. I can’t wait to try the other molecules and give The Beauty Molecule a few more weeks to see if there is a difference in my skin.

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