Places we love

As I am new to blogging I don't know much about the etiquette involved and what you can and cant do.  However I'm pretty sure that its bad form to write a full post about a place that you have not been to recently.

However that leaves me with a dilemma because Craig and I have been to places that we want to share so others can enjoy them if they get the chance.  So I have decided to add a list of these places with a few short comments and any links

Le Manoir Aux Quat'Saison
This is the two Michelin starred restaurant owned and run by Raymond Blanc.  This is where Craig asked me to marry him in January 2010.  We had lunch (the tasting menu) and I only have one word to describe it - Amazing.

Jamies Italian - Covent Garden
Craig and I had lunch here very recently and it was great. Its part of Jamie Oliver's chain of restaurants and there are 17 of them around the country.  Not expensive.

Bluebells Cafe at Briddlesford Farm, Isle of Wight
We discovered this cafe last weekend when we visited the Isle of Wight.  The food is all local and homemade.

Judges Bakery - Hastings
Fantastic bread and cakes plus lots of other food items in the shop.

The Boathouse Seafood Restaurant - Isle of Wight
If you love crab and lobster this is the place to go. Its not cheap and its hard to get a table but its worth it.  The owners catch the crabs and lobsters in the morning and cook them fresh for lunch.  Not the place to go if you want meat, there isn't any.  Its only open in the summer.

Benares - London
A michelin starred indian restaurant in Mayfair.  We went here for lunch on Craigs 40th birthday.  It was excellent.

Hummingbird Bakery - London
American style cupcakes, the best I have had.  Try the red velvet with cream cheese frosting.

Afternoon Tea at Browns Hotel - London
We had afternoon tea here for my birthday last year.  It made a nice change from a meal although there was just as much food.  The waiter will keep replenishing your cakes and sandwiches.  The choice of teas is really good.

Suffolk Food Hall - near Ipswich
I love this place and try and visit when we are visiting family in the area.  The butcher counter sells fantastic meat including well aged beef.  There is a cafe and garden centre on site.

La Fromagerie - London
If you like cheese this is the place to go. All the cheese is kept in a specially cooled cheese room .  There is also a small cafe which is very popular.  It does light meals, breakfast and brunch.  This shop is also good for finding those hard to find things you never knew you needed like wild garlic and samphire.

Neals Yard Dairy - London
This is our favourite cheese shop in London.  Its located in Borough Market although there is also a branch in Covent Garden and they do some mail order.  They encourage you to try everything before you buy.  They also do great sourdough bread and fresh butter.

Pennyhill Park Hotel & Spa
Craig and I spent the day here in the spa a few weeks ago.  It was the best spa I have been to so far.  There are lots of different pools including one with underwater music.  Other highlights were the outdoor jacuzzi's, the steam room and the changing rooms.  The changing rooms were amazing.  Huge lockers, sofas, and showers big enough for 4 people (not that you would!).  I had a hot stone massage and facial which left me very relaxed.
The lunch was also excellent.  In some spas the food offering can be a bit bland but this was restaurant quality food.  This spa is well worth a visit.