Spitroast Kitchen Crosby* | Just Add Ginger

Whenever I hear about a new local coffee shop or eatery, I get really excited. Being mum to Eric means being constantly on to go. He is so full of beans that a day spent at home generally just consists of me chasing him up and down the living room because all he wants to do is cruise around the furniture, attempt to climb the chimney and generally cause chaos. So the more we get out the house, the better...

...Especially if it's somewhere I can combine mum duties, food and catch-ups with friends. Even though I love and am incredibly lucky to be in the position to be a full-time mum now, it can be really isolating. Having outings that involve human contact, free entertainment for E (he is so nosey and loves to look at everyone and everything around him) and the ability to appreciate good food whilst he is distracted are always something I look forward to.

I was kindly invited down to Spitroast Kitchen* for lunch this past week. Supporting local and independent businesses is something I always try to do and having never visited before, I was really keen to head on down, tuck into some food, and see what it was all about. I'm always adding to my list of places that are accessible, baby-friendly and serve good quality so I was really hoping this ticked all the boxes. Seizing the opportunity to meet up with one of my mummy friends, on Monday afternoon, a - somewhat grumpy Eric - in tow, we packed up and headed on out.

Located on South Road in Crosby Spitroast Kitchen is really easy to find. You can either chance it and see if you can spot a parking space on the road, or if not, there is a car park about a five minute walk away. I will say that it is a bit of a squeeze to get a pram or pushchair up over the step and into the restaurant on your own (a lovely staff member saw me struggling and came to help), but once you are inside, there is loads of space to negotiate a buggy. 

The restaurant has a really relaxed atmosphere about it, with a big open kitchen, bare-brick walls and an eclectic, well-curated mix of industrial-inspired decor that isn't overwhelming on the eye. It's a space that was airy and light in the day but would look great for evening dining experiences too. It wasn't overwhelming or pretentious, and the demographic of diners there ranged from families to friends and a few couples too.

Once we were seated (our table was at the back - lovely and big, with plenty of space for two babies, a highchair, prams et al) there came the agonising decision of just what it was we were going to eat. With both a lunch and main menu to look at, there was a lot to choose from. And it all sounded delicious. 

Wanting to get a full appreciation of the food that Spitroast offers I decided to order from the main menu, opting for a rotisserie roast chicken 'drum & thigh' with sweet potato chips and a greek yogurt dip. My friend opted for the chicken pesto pasta which had been high on my own list of dishes to try (yes - I was secretly hoping she'd let me sample some).

As someone who will always like having options, it made me really happy seeing that the main menu gave you the chance to build your own menu, allowing you to pick your own chicken portion then add one or more sides. It's not just a concept that suits those with varying appetites but is also something that takes into account diners' budgets too!

There wasn't too long a wait for the food but by the time it came out I was so hungry I couldn't wait to tuck in - the smell in Spitroast was making my mouth water so much! Both dishes were a treat for the eye, with the chicken having been particularly well plated. The staff were really accommodating and at our request had brought out a bowl where we could put a very small portion of the pesto pasta for Eric to try (I always like to include him in mealtimes and let him have a little taste of the food we are having). 

I don't think my chicken could have been more perfect of it tried. Super crispy skin and juicy succulent meat it was probably some of the best I had ever tried. If I had put a knife to it I think it would have glided through with ease it was that well cooked. It was also the perfect size for a lunchtime meal and would be ideal for those with small appetites at teatime too. The seasoning on the meat was balanced perfectly too. The dip was a refreshing accompaniment but in all honesty I didn't need it for the chicken, instead using it mainly for my chips.

And the pasta? That was lovely too. A really decent portion size for the price, with a good chicken to pasta ratio (yes I did get to try some). Eric was a big fan too, chomping away on several pieces of spaghetti and just generally having a whale of a time people watching. 

If it wasn't for the fact that I wanted to leave room for dessert I wouldn't have left a crumb on my plate. Spitroast had nailed it. 

And as for pudding? We have a saying in our house - 

If you're going to be a bear be a grizzly. 

So that's just what I did. Without a second glance at the dessert menu I ordered a slice of homemade Nutella cheesecake and oh my god it was like a little slice of heaven on a plate. Not wanting to make my friend feel guilty (she chose not to have dessert) I tried to hide the delight on my face but I think I totally failed. It was just too yummy. 

In my eyes Spitroast Kitchen completely smashed it. They deliver on good quality food, excellent presentation and great service. I felt completely at ease being there with a baby. No request was too much and I would 100% go back there again. My friend even booked her and her other half in for Valentine's Day as we left - she, just like me, was really impressed. 

Supporting local independents is so important, especially when you're living in a world of chain restaurants. And with branches both in Crosby and on Smithdown Road, rotisserie fans in Liverpool, you really have no excuse. Get yourself down to Spitroast Kitchen and tuck into one of the many tasty dishes they have to offer - I promise you you will not regret it one bit.

*I was kindly invited down to Spitroast Kitchen Crosby to enjoy a complimentary meal for myself and a guest. This does not affect my opinions. They are my own and always 100% honest. For more details, please see my disclaimer.

Dinner at Gino's | Just Add Ginger

Image: c/o Individual Restaurants

I always pictured Ryan and I seeing in our anniversary in style, with champagne, a fancy dinner and lots of romance. But as midnight struck on 2nd April 2017 the most we could do to celebrate was to turn to each other and blurt out "Happy Anniversary" as I breathed through horrendous contractions. We had to wait a good few months to do something, once we had all settled into life as new parents and Eric was of an age where we felt confident he'd be alright being left for rather a long period of time. And Aussie Floyd coming to town gave us the best excuse.

Deciding to make the evening really special, I made the suggestion that we headed to Gino's together.  Ever since attending the press evening I was itching to return and sample more from the menu and investigate the prosecco bar properly. 

Because Floyd were starting at 8pm we decided to book a table for the late afternoon to make sure we  had loads of time to spare to get down to the Echo Arena, and maybe have a pit stop for a cheeky glass of something on the way (nights off are rare nowadays and we wanted to make the most of it). 

We got to the restaurant with a few minutes to spare and were greeted by the staff front of house and asked if we would care to indulge in a complementary glass of fizz. Flutes in hand we made our way over to the bar, nestled down into some comfy chairs and waited to be taken to our table. 

Irregardless of how busy the dining space was, the bar was full of couples and groups of friends all sitting on bar stools, sipping drinks and enjoying themselves. And this was on a Sunday! Everybody seemed to be having a great time and we soaked in the atmosphere and just felt really happy. Phones firmly kept in pockets (aside from the occasional InstaStory update) this was the most Ryan and I had sat and actually talked to each other uninterrupted in ages. 

In no time, we were approached by a server and escorted over to our table, which was right at the edge of the dining space - private, and perfectly placed for people watching. 

Making the most of the precious few "grown up" hours we had we took our time in deciding what to eat, and although our waiter stopped by a few times to check on us, we didn't feel rushed. After a good few minutes catching up with each other and a couple more sips of our prosecco, we opened our menus and looked through the choice of dishes. Remembering the arancine starter from the press night I decided to go for these and Ryan opted for the king prawn bruschetta. 

The perfect balance of bite in the crust and creamy filling, the arancine really hit the spot without being too filling, with the accompanying making a great companion to the dish - complementing it perfectly. And Ryan's starter went down just as well (I of course had to have a cheeky bite), with succulent prawns and a great choice of dipping sauce on the side. 

It was such a struggle trying to decide what to have for my main. There was just so much choice! From cod to calzone and penne to pork belly, everything sounded delicious. Finally I settled for the veal meatballs, with Ryan choosing the sirloin steak. Again, it was great to see how good the portion sizes were. My plate was piled high with meatballs all covered in a thick and wholesome tomato sauce. It looked and smelt beautiful and really got my taste buds buzzing from the get-go. And they tasted just as amazing - that sauce was definitely one of the most delicious I have ever tried. Ryan's steak was cooked fantastically too (yes yes, I snuck in a bite) - with the knife sliding through it like butter to reveal a perfectly pink middle. 

Even though we were both comfortably full after our starter and main course there was no way we could leave without sampling something from the dessert menu. With a collection of indulgent puds from which to choose, I was instantly taken with the sound of the chocolate fondant. Ryan, also opting for something chocolately, went for the chestnut cake.

Covered in a thick layer of glistening sauce, the chocolate fondant was my idea of a dream dessert. It was rich without being sickly and incredibly flavourful. Although a good size, I think that had you decided to go for other dishes for your starter and main course, this might be a dessert you could not finish. 

Although Ryan polished off all of his chocolate chestnut cake he did express that he would have perfered mine. I don't think this was a reflection on the taste of the cake (although to me the idea of chestnuts in a dessert seemed a little bizarre) - we just both have a really good understanding of dishes that we really enjoy. 

What I liked a lot about Gino's My Restaurant is how it manages to balance a really sleek and classy interior with dishes that are unpretentious and comforting. Everything on the menu is taken from one of Gino's own cookbooks so can be reproduced in the comfort of your own home too. All the dishes are all quite affordable too, meaning that you can tailor your own experience depending on what you are willing to spend. The bar also makes a mean cocktail. Ryan ordered a negroni whilst we were waiting for our table and he commented it was one of the best he had ever had. 

I still stand by what I said in my press night post - I think Gino D'Acampo has found a good niche with My Restaurant, and judging by how busy the place was when we went it is clear others think so too. I'm really glad we went back to experience it properly. The food was beautiful, the atmosphere electric, and the whole dining experience really enjoyable. I love the fact that you could either pop in for a cheeky prosecco or sit down to a delcious meal. It's definitely a feature that will coax me back the next time I am in town.

Have you visited Gino D'Acampo's My Restaurant yet? 

*We were kindly gifted a bottle of prosecco by Gino D'Acampo My Restaurant during our visit to the restaurant. Although very kind this does not affect my opinions. They are always 100% honest and guided by my own personal experiences.

Date Night At Piccola | Just Add Ginger

One of the only sad things about our move was that we were no longer going to be near our beloved Yukti. Having such an amazing restaurant round the corner was such a luxury that I wasn't sure we'd ever have a similar "local" situation again. So when Piccola opened, I knew it would eventually be somewhere we had to try. Not quite on our doorstep, but close enough, I kept everything crossed that it would fill the void that moving further away from one of our favourite restaurants would leave. 

Saying "thank you" to Ryan provided the perfect opportunity for our first date night since the move. He has put up with so much from me over the past nine months (and still is) that I just wanted to both express my gratitude and apologise in advance for calling him all the names under the sun / wanting to bite him whilst we're in the delivery suite.

Every time we drive passed Piccola it looks full to the brim - even on a weekday, and upon arriving for our date night, it was just the same. With ambient lighting that created a cosy yet classy atmosphere, and the buzz of chatter in the background, it immediately evoked a romantic yet energetic vibe. With staff constantly checking on tables, delivering food and drinks and taking orders, it could have easily became chaotic, but I think the staff were so well organised that everything seemed to be ticking by in a calm and collected manner. After a short-ish wait at the bar (about 15 minutes) we were shown to our table and given menus to peruse. Having visited the restaurant on one previous occasion, and being a little restricted by the menu options, it didn't take me long to decide what to go for. Ryan was quick to decide too, and our order was taken pretty swiftly considering how busy the place was. 

To start us off, Ryan went for the Spinach and Taleggio Arancini, whereas I decided I really wanted the Caprese Salad side dish as my starter of choice (a majority of the starters either featured cured meats, were shellfish, or contained things I have gone off). Both dishes were ample size to whet our appetites for the main course, and jam-packed full of flavour. The addition of spring onions to my salad were a happy and zingy touch, and Ryan's arancini were crispy coated and perfectly cooked in the middle, with the cheese trickling out upon slicing. The pesto was a great sauce to dip each arancini ball in to (and to my delight the grilled peppers were only a faint note in the background). 

Acknowledging past experience, and with the thought in mind that I was 99.9% going to be ordering a dessert (blogger's prerogative) I decided to go for a small portion main course, and went for the Pappardelle Ragu Di Angelo (pasta with a slow cooked lamb ragu). Ryan chose a large portion of the Pappardelle Di Manzo (pasta with a slow cooked beef ragu). Both of these dishes we had sampled on our previous visit, and had been very impressed. With past experience on our side, I was interested to see how the consistency of quality held up. 

I definitely wasn't disappointed with my dish. After waiting a short time for it to arrive (again I was really impressed as the restaurant was still full of diners), I tucked in anxiously to find that the lamb was like butter, sliding apart underneath my fork willingly. The sauce was flavourful and rich without being overbearing, and the pasta cooked to perfection. Ryan I think was just as happy with his dish - neither of us offered one another a sampling of our dishes, which is always a good sign. The only thing that I was unsure about was the portion sizing. My small dish of pasta looked almost as big as Ryan's large portion. I was a little perplexed, but with the main courses being quite reasonably priced, there wasn't enough cause for me to draw attention to the fact. 

Glad that my small portion plan had paid off, it didn't take me long to decide what to have for dessert. The Chocolate And Salted Caramel Mousse had been calling to me from the start (I can't resist anything with "chocolate" in the name). Ryan opted for the same, and once again, within a matter of minutes after ordering our puddings were with us. Creamy, thick and rich, this dessert definitely wasn't a choice for the faint-hearted. Deceptive in its size, I needed a break halfway through. All the flavours worked in perfect harmony, and it was with glee that hidden at the bottom was a thin layer of salted caramel sauce that added an extra sweetness to the dish. It was the perfect way to finish off the meal, and is definitely something I would order again.

It is of course impossible to compare Italian cuisine to Indian, however, in Piccola I think we have found our close by Yukti substitute. Within ideal travelling distance, and with really reasonable pricing (every main is under £15.00) it's going to be the perfect place for future parents-only escapes, and family outings alike.

To find out more about Piccola or to book a table, click here