Spread Eagle Oxford Street London

After a long day of shopping in Debenhams and House of Fraser for my kitchen tools and just about a few hours were leaving London. We decided to go for a typical very British food, and we found a small corner pub called the Spread Eagle is typical British pub plush and comfortable restaurant.

When you enter Spread Eagle you immediately feel quite cozy. They even have a cozy bar area and inside is the dining area with a fireplace to relax. Besides people-watching t.v, there's plenty to keep you entertained, they even have pachinko game machine inside. Here you can find everything about the good food eaten in Britain.

We decide on starter and go for the prawn cocktail was a king prawn on cos lettuce with seafood sauce and slices of malted bloomer bread, scrumptious for appetizer.

For mains, we had a roast of the day, It was basically roasted meat with all the trimmings, served with roast mashed potatoes, seasonal vegetables, Yorkshire pudding and gravy is probably the meal in England is most famous for. The meat it was pork, I prefer beef like the one I have beside the red lion near Parliament. But I wasn't disappointed, as the Yorkshire pudding itself is little different from plain bread, all covered with gravy!  Yummy.

We ordered the cod father 'fish & chips' it came in huge portions. The cod was good, still fresh but somehow was not crispy enough. The homemade tartar sauce was the saving grace.

I craved for meat pie, sometimes you just need a pie, and I couldn't resist not try the Steak & Ale Pie which was a tender of steak with mashed potatoes, seasonal vegetables and a jug of gravy. The pie was filled with lovely bits of beef and and top crust was flaky-crunchy not greasy. This was yummy and comfort food and best it's a hot piping and rich and flavourful gravy.

We ordered the beef steak for my boy, we request to the staff it had to be cooked in meduim rare. I was anxious that it will be done the same way they cook in Bistro Pierre. The steak it was lovely, tender, juicy and well seasoned.

As for the dessert we had the Brambley Apple Pie and Chocolate Fudge Cake . This is the most wonderful chocolate fudge cake we ever had. It served hot-super moist like a cloud butter cake with a scoop of ice cream, I wouldn’t mind another one of these right now!

The bramley apple pie is like biting into a crunchy layer of light pie crust with warm melted cream sauce and the inside is moist hot bursting apples.

We got some non traditional British beverage to end off the meal.. Overall the food is exceptional was also of a good portion were large, dessert case was tempting. The service it was pretty quick when it came our orders, and nice to chill-out for the pub lover.

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Spread Eagle
349 Oxford Street, London United Kingdom

The Terrace Bar Harrod's London

We had the pleasure of visiting Harrods I was just blown away, Harrod's has opened a branch in Taiwan as we have nothing like this in Taipei or in other major cities in Taiwan. We had a lot of computers, ipod, solar cell or advanced hi-technology but we don't have like this (Harrods) here, that you can find-buy anything as in everything or you can get what you want or not want at the time in one place. They also have many laptop computers, mobile phones are made in Taiwan. Quite frankly, the food hall is amazing. But the interior of the department store is,,,,,, for me Taipei 101 is much more elegance and well organized inside. We don't shop that much in Harrod's as we done it already in Paris. Just bought something as a gifts back home and some good stuff for my kids. Then we arranged a special afternoon tea at Georgian Restaurant before watching the night show of Phantom of the Opera.

The ambiance and decor created a really intimate vibe that will definitely leave the guests amazed of how glamour and style, classy sipping on tea can be, is where the aristocracy used to dine.

Upon the time we make reservation, the staff she so kindly to suggest and recommend to us that we were seated at the Terrace Bar. Where most British people spent their tea outside or patio's is the way to enjoy a truly traditional afternoon tea experience.

Of course, being afternoon tea, the first thing that came is this oozing bubbling glass of champagne for me and for my husband and cheers for us, that we made our journey in Paris and London by ourselves without any tour guide. The champagne was great, but were not really a champagne lovers. I prefer sweet ice wine. The taste of champagne described as mingled with refreshing I love the fragrance. However if you let it taste on your tongue for too long it gets a litter bitter.

Shortly after the champagne flute, the platter of sandwiches and assortment of sweets came in 3 tier presentation. Everything looked delicious and pretty, and this is a platter for 4 people.

So how was the food, let's do it layer by layer. First layer, Harrod's freshly made sandwiches which was a food finger sandwiches: Goat's cheese mousse on pumpernickel, ham and pickle sandwich, smoked salmon-spinach and cream cheese wrap, cucumber dill and yogurt shooter, coronation chicken sandwich were good but not spectacular. We found it disappointing relative to the other Afternoon Teas we have experienced in Taiwan. The cucumber dill and yogurt shooter it taste like grass!

Second layer, the home-baked English scones served with clotted cream, Harrod's rose petal jelly and strawberry preserves. I love how the scones were still warm when served. The clotted cream and jam it's was perfect with the scones.

Third or top layer is the selection of tea pastries from the Harrod's Patisserie: We had fresh fruit tart, green apple macaroon, afternoon tea fruit cake, chocolate delice slice, raspberry fragipan etc. The fruit tart shell was very hard, macaroon was delicious, fruit cake was overly sweet but were good too. The chocolate delice slice was absolutely sweet heaven.

Back to the tea, the desserts, scones and sandwiches are missed without steaming tea pots. There were four of us so we got to choose tea flavors. The first thing that came is the tea, I chose blackcurrant and hibiscus tea.

For my husband and kids they chose a kind of tea that can add sugar and milk. A steaming silver pot of afternoon special- a combine medium elevations teas from pristine Dimbula region in Sri Lanka. Georgian blend tea- combine darjeeling, assam and chinese tea for its fragrance. Earl grey tea-lightly scented with oil bergamot. This is the real deal milk tea lovers, we’re not talking about the ordinary tea.

Accompanied by white and brown sugar cubes, a real authentic English style milk tea, not too sweet and not too bland. But probably not of the best milk teas we have had. Overall, I personally loved the experience, sitting there sipping a cup of hot tea and chatting with family for what we have done on this vacation. For the price £26 per person and £33 with champagne flute it was enjoyable tea time with them. The food it wasn't spectacular but delicious nevertheless, surroundings were beautiful, and the staff were so attentive. Highly recommend for Mother's Day or just a romantic tea party for you and your lover. We had a lovely time and plan on returning again in the UK but not very soon. I would definitely do it again, but will try a new restaurant.

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Terrace Bar Harrod's London
87-135 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge London,
United Kingdom
Website:
Harrod's Restaurant

Doubletree by Hilton Bristol South - Cadbury House

Another lovely hotel of DoubleTree by Hilton in quiet pastoral setting a warm inviting rooms were very clean and sophisticated, even much better than in Scotland. Upon arrival we were welcomed with freshly chocolate cookies.

As usual we always live in 2 rooms,  and the room was immaculate and quite comfortable, got a good night's rest! after a whole day tour.

The elegant white and black dining room has a sophisticated vibrant atmosphere and stylish decor.

The night meal was often very simple; like a soup, bread with butter. It may be summer but in England the weather was always cold and it is good time for soup. This carrot soup is simple and tasty to start, and it was a great way to begin a meal. Creamy with a hint of buttery but light, fresh and healthy.

For the entree we had a traditional English roasted chicken breast;  loaded with tones of veggies, onion cakes, sausage bacon roll was deliciously moist. It came with a nicely savory gravy sauce.

 And end up our dinner with this simplicity presentation of cream puff pastry with blackberry drizzle with chocolate sauce.

The next morning we always had experience with a full buffet English breakfast was lovely. On my plate; it consists of fried bacon, fried eggs, fried mushrooms, baked beans, fried tomato, black sausage. It was pretty good! Oh... I almost forgot this is heavy on calories.

With lots of breads and pastry, hash browns, fruits and yogurt and more to choose from, and a huge tones of good tea, coffee and fresh juices on food description. But I only try this 2 pastry.

Then the waitress bring us a bowl of porridge. It was a lot and I can't eat at all. I didn’t finish all of it, and my arteries are probably happy with that. The DoubleTree Hotel always made our day. It was very pleased to see a fabulous hotel which certainly has the wow factor! The staff were very welcoming and accommodating.

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Doubletree by Hilton Bristol South - Cadbury House

Frost Hill, Congresbury, Bristol, BS49 5AD United Kingdom

Belsfield Hotel Lake Distict Windermere

We drive through the English uplands and we enjoy a scenic drive to the Lake District home of the poet and writer, stopping in Belsfeild Hotel for lunch. This is a sweet attraction with adorable character of the Peter Rabbit World and Beatrix Potter.

The hotel is a magnificent looking building from the outside with fantastic view of the lake. That overlooks Windermerre and the Cumbrian Hills really left me spellbound with its beautiful gardens charm and elegance country house.

When exiting from the main entrance at the rear of the hotel had a lot of character for the Victorian era.

We sat on window with this magnificent view is to die for and definitely somewhere to sit down to enjoy lunch, it was a very laid back atmosphere.

For the starter we had a fresh salad with balsamic vinegar and a piece of warm bread was delicious and butter it up!

For the main course we had a English roasted pork garnished with cabbage, carrots, roasted potatoes in horseradish sauce. The pork it was melt in the mouth quality.

This 2 selection of cheeses in a great looking manner, serve with few types of grapes and celery stick hits after lunch.

Our favorite part is the dessert, I think it was carrot cake but it taste very different than the one we had in Starbucks and Costa Coffee.This nothing more fulfilling than sweet decadent dessert. One of the most extraordinary carrot cake I've tasted; it was warm, moist, fluffy texture of nutty flavor with delectable melted cream sauce as well. It taste like heaven on earth yummy!

Then a large serving of chocolate cake, it was very good and rich in flavor is too overpoweringly sweet! I will have to say that perhaps being have an experienced to dine here. This place is a gem through every moments of our lives in English country side, it was fabulous with satisfying meals. Thumbs up for the Belsfield, If we will be back someday or in the future in Lake District, I would love to spend days here.

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The Belsfield Hotel

Kendal Rd LA23 3EL,

Windermere, United Kingdom

Queen's Grill at The Queens Hotel & Monkbar Hotel

The Queen's Hotel is located in the town of center square of Leeds. On entering the hotel, it had seemed welcoming and clean, which contrasted with the Victorian seats and solid marble floors. We stayed in this hotel for just one night and having a dinner at the Queen's Grill. The minimalist, contemporary designs of the restaurant, coupled with a lively and buzzing atmosphere.

Our rooms was absolutely lovely, extremely comfortable and clean.

We started off with a carrot soup with bread and butter, the soup it was thick and heavy.

Because it was a local specialty, we tried the Shepherd's beef pie instead of lamb and topped with fluffy toasted mashed potatoes with vegetable.

While it looks mighty good, I was hoping for a traditional English delicious comfort food and nothing to shout about it.

 And for the finale we had a fresh seasonal fruits it took 1 hour to prepared. We spared and waste our time and for how long it takes to sliced and serve this fruits in the table?  The presentation of the food and taste was normal for UK's. The service were very slow... slow as you imagine. If you came from the country they doesn't take any amount of time you'll be impatient. However the service staff on that night was very friendly. The following morning we enjoyed the breakfast buffet. It was very good with lots of choices. But we didn't appreciate the characteristic who takes charge in the dinning room.

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Queen's Grill at The Queen's Hotel
City Square, Leeds, United Kingdom

We've driven past this restaurant and stopped for the first time recently. The restaurant is brightly lit with simple decor.

A table bread with butter.

Since we are in the UK so we go for the typical English fish n' chips with peas, a 3 course meal with soup and white bread. The deep fry sole fish it was soft and moist, coated in golden crispy batter that was just about the right thickness.

Then we're very excited for the apple pie with fresh cream it was disappointment! Its too sour and not balanced for the sweetness. The service was quite a bit slow again. If you are just tourist and probably you don't want to waste of time its better you only can buy a take away American fast food, however ambience was great!

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Monkbar Hotel
Saint Maurice's Road
York, North Yorkshire YO31 7JA, United Kingdom.

Rose House Tea & Art Hsinchu

Rose House is located at the corner of Niupu Road near Homebox in Jingou Road Hsinchu, provides a wonderful and simply elegant tea experience for ladies and gents of all ages. Offers a selections of traditional english tea in pot or tin, and porcelain tea set or individual cups and saucers from England.

The Rose House Tea Room was a bit smaller room decorated with crystal chandelier in the center of the ceiling. On opposite sides were large wall mirrors and portraits which showed Queen Elizabeth II. It is quite formal and an excellent treat for a special occasion. The tables and chairs are comfortable enough is quite very British.

 

Having tea with family is always our favorite way to spend for sometime. On our table we try their afternoon tea set meal. We started off with our teas then came a 3 tiered golden stand of classic Rose House afternoon tea.  My daughter ordered the high tea compliments with summer pudding milk tea, between four of us we shared the desserts .

The summer pudding milk tea was served in vintage rose design cup and saucer compliment with rose jelly. It has more of a fragrant and creamy taste. It was really good and is a much better deal than the other tea shops. Claire loves every single sip of her tea choice.

On the top layer of Classic Rose House afternoon tea. We had  mango mousse cake, rose milk pudding, and fruits was fantastic.

The second layer, British style freshly baked handmade rose biscuit, plain waffle, scone with rose petal tea jelly and whipped cream. The scone are amazingly good! Moist, dense, but still fluffy at the same time. 

The last layer, it had a ham and cheese sandwich have turned into traditional finger sandwiches with smoked chicken and vegetable salad. I love the sour taste of the sauce quite pleasant for my linking in dressing salad.

For my self, I had the Scottish afternoon tea and quite similar to my daughter high tea set meal.

I order the hot fresh fruit tea for my drink, which was fresh fruit cut. Base on black tea with oranges, lemon and lime, slices of apple added with honey to sweeten it. Quite pleasant citrus drink on cold season and delicious!

For my boy had a Ice cream with warm waffles served with butter whipped cream, the combination of cold ice cream with warm, crispy waffles was great! But the chocolate ice cream is not quite excellent compare to Haagen Dazs and Movenpick. If you coming here, I suggest to choose their waffle with Haagen Dazs ice cream.

And compliment with caffe latte.

Waffle with seasonal fresh fruit and hot summer pudding milk tea for my husband. We left full and very satisfied. We will definitely revisit Rose House next time for lunch or afternoon tea with my daughter for sometime. Staff very attentive and the food was great ... Will certainly recommend it! Coming up Madame Rose in Taipei.

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Rose House Tea Room-新竹經國店

新竹市香山區牛埔路135號

 No 135 Nuipu Road, Siangshan District Hsinchu City

Contact No: 03-5305-690

Website: 

http://www.rosehouse.com/donghai/index.html