Showing posts with label nottingham. Show all posts
Showing posts with label nottingham. Show all posts
Flashback to 2008, social media was pretty inexistent - Facebook had only been around for 4 years, Twitter had only been around for 2 years and MySpace was starting to die out. In the business world barely anyone was using it and if they were it was to simply share pictures and there was definitely no social media managers to create content and engage with customers.
Networking events have always been tedious and unless you worked in sales was a boring invite to receive in the post (maybe email but we were still sending a lot of letters 8 years ago!). Whilst all of this was happening Fiona Duncan was in Nottingham looking for a new job in advertising after finishing a career with RBS in sales and in-house events. After securing a job with a lifestyle magazine and taking a weekend break Fiona found inspiration to start her own business using her skills in marketing, sales and events.
9 months later the business was up and running - RSViP was born. This was the first time Fiona had ever been self-employed and she has never looked back. Starting as an events company running the Corporate Hospitality and PR division of Nottingham Rugby Club, RSViP has grown into the Network Social Events business it is today. With over 200 companies subscribed to the service there is a diverse range of industries attending Fiona's events with many providing a discount as part of the scheme. Each month RSViP host a Network Social Event for members to get together and enjoy an evening of good company, food and drink whilst not feeling the pressure of having to buy or sell products or services.
Social media is now apart of RSViP's daily marketing strategy and Fiona has been able to expand the business to new customers by organically growing each platform. Fiona regularly writes for various publications including reviews for restaurants and hotels and encourages guest bloggers to contribute to her website which she finds really boosts her SEO. After discussing more about how blogging and social media has changed the way businesses engage with their customers, Fiona explains that both methods have paved the way for people to connect like never before and says businesses are sadly going to be left behind if they are not taking advantage of these marketing methods. As a mentor at local Universities and an NTU Nottingham Business School Alumni Fellow, Fiona explains that she has seen how savvy students are becoming and thinks it will not be long until we see the next Mark Zuckerberg!
When asked about the future of RSViP Fiona is keeping her cards to her chest but with businesses from cities such as Manchester recently joining it wont be long until you see her in a town near you.
You can find more information about RSViP and Fiona Duncan here - RSViP Network and on Twitter: RSViP.
Let me know if you liked this interview and watch this space for more coming soon! Don't forget to comment an share.
Oaks is a new smokehouse restaurant in the city centre of Nottingham with a unique open grill kitchen. The decor is based around oak wood and although the restaurant isn't large it is beautifully decorated. Specialising in serving locally sourced meats and craft beers as well as delicious wines and cocktails; Oaks have also built their open grill from logs that were by-products of sustainable coppicing by the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust.
We decided to start the night with Chilli Cooler cocktails - Ocho Blanco Tequila, Chilli, Agave Necter, Lime and Mint. This is a tall cocktail garnished with half a red chilli and surprisingly refreshing because of the lime and mint - a great start to the evening!
Obviously, Oaks is a meat focused restaurant and therefore I expected to have limited choice as someone who doesn't eat animal products. For starters I chose the Baked Olives with lemon and rosemary - a large portion of olives in a delicious lemon and rosemary olive oil. These olives were delicious and lasted throughout the meal due to the generous portion size.
For my main meal I chose the Portobello Mushroom, Avocado and Aubergine Burger. On a delicious soft bun this burger was amazing! Perfect amounts of each ingredient meant that I wasn't left with a pile of avocado at the end. Each mouthful was full of flavour and after a slight hiccup with some mayonnaise I truly enjoyed this dish. Served with my burger I chose to have the chopped salad which consisted of lettuce, tomatoes and radish; a little uninspiring but for those wanting a smaller meal the salad was a nice light accompaniment.
Dessert time! Well, before we start I should mention there are three desserts on the menu. Ice cream, cheese board or doughnuts filled with marsala cream.......nothing vegan or diary free! The team at Oaks were immediately catering to my needs though and after a few minutes wait a delicious selection of sorbets were produced (I imagine these were from Chino Latino next door). Flavours included Mango, Kiwi and Coconut and each were delicious and silky smooth. These are not on the menu but I think after encountering myself they may rethink the options available for dessert.
During this evening they also had a live acoustic singer performing in the bar area. With a carafe of red wine and enjoying the atmosphere this was an amazing way to spend a Thursday evening.
I would definitely recommend Oaks to anyone visiting Nottingham or wanting a more informal date or dinner with friends. Let me know if you have been to Oaks and where you would recommend for me to visit next xx
Oaks 2 Bromley Place NG1 6JG Tel: (0115) 947 7244
Twitter: OaksNottingham
I dined as a guest of Oaks however all opinions are my own.
We decided to start the night with Chilli Cooler cocktails - Ocho Blanco Tequila, Chilli, Agave Necter, Lime and Mint. This is a tall cocktail garnished with half a red chilli and surprisingly refreshing because of the lime and mint - a great start to the evening!
Obviously, Oaks is a meat focused restaurant and therefore I expected to have limited choice as someone who doesn't eat animal products. For starters I chose the Baked Olives with lemon and rosemary - a large portion of olives in a delicious lemon and rosemary olive oil. These olives were delicious and lasted throughout the meal due to the generous portion size.For my main meal I chose the Portobello Mushroom, Avocado and Aubergine Burger. On a delicious soft bun this burger was amazing! Perfect amounts of each ingredient meant that I wasn't left with a pile of avocado at the end. Each mouthful was full of flavour and after a slight hiccup with some mayonnaise I truly enjoyed this dish. Served with my burger I chose to have the chopped salad which consisted of lettuce, tomatoes and radish; a little uninspiring but for those wanting a smaller meal the salad was a nice light accompaniment.
During this evening they also had a live acoustic singer performing in the bar area. With a carafe of red wine and enjoying the atmosphere this was an amazing way to spend a Thursday evening.
I would definitely recommend Oaks to anyone visiting Nottingham or wanting a more informal date or dinner with friends. Let me know if you have been to Oaks and where you would recommend for me to visit next xx
Oaks 2 Bromley Place NG1 6JG Tel: (0115) 947 7244
Twitter: OaksNottingham
I dined as a guest of Oaks however all opinions are my own.
With floor to ceiling windows and large wooden furniture the open room is ideal for lunches or intimate dinners. On this occasion I chose to visit for Afternoon Tea and see what they had to offer.
Afternoon Tea at The Larder on Goosegate is £14.95 per person and includes a pot of your choice of loose leaf tea served in a china teapot with a china teacup. I chose the Earl Grey with Cornflowers and this was subtle but pleasant to go with the sweet and savoury items. Included on the stand is a selection of homemade sandwiches and cakes. Each person receives an Egg, Cress and Mayonnaise sandwich, a Red Onion Chutney and Cheese sandwich, a Beef and Horseradish sandwich and a Cucumber and Creme Fraiche sandwich. The finger sized crustless sandwiches were delicious and a much welcomed change to the usual ham and mustard.
The middle tier featured Shortcake with Cream and Fresh Strawberries, Elderflower Pound Cake, Treacle Sponge and a Black Forest Gateaux Cupcake. The shortcake also had condensed cream on the top and incorporated in the middle which made this very sweet but delicious, the elderflower cake was lacking in flavouring and a little dry but the treacle sponge was moist and flavoursome. Finally, the black forest cupcake was a moist chocolate cupcake topped with cream, chocolate shavings and a black cherry, in the centre was a cherry jam. This was delicious and a large cake for an afternoon tea selection however the paper case did make it feel a little more cheap (sorry!).
I definitely enjoyed the Afternoon Tea at The Larder on Goosegate and would recommend it for anyone visiting Nottingham. They offer a wonderful range of homemade items and you can tell from the high quality that these are not store bought cakes. The wide range of tea is also a wonderful for those who want to try something different or who may be new to loose leaf teas. I am hoping to also return one evening to try their evening menu and wine selection.
Let me know if you have ever been to The Larder on Goosegate or have anywhere you would like me to visit on The Afternoon Tea Tour! xx
The Larder on Goosegate 1st Floor, 16-22 Goosegate NG1 1FE Tel: (0115) 9500 111
Twitter: LarderGoosegate
As the weather gets better we all want to sit outside with a cold drink and enjoy the sun whilst eating good food, right? Well, the sun came out and that's exactly what I wanted to do. After thinking about where to go I thought we should try somewhere new in the city centre and visit Jam Cafe in the Hockley district of Nottingham.
Perfectly situated on a sunny Heathcote Street but away from the hustle and bustle of the main shopping areas, Jam Cafe is a music themed eatery with an outside seating area - perfect for enjoying the sunshine. During the day you can enjoy a main meal and a drink then come back later on in the evening to enjoy live music, up-and-coming Dj's and local ales.
If you are ever there I would really recommend you stopping and have a nibble and a drink whilst talking to the friendly owner, Bradley, and his employees. This is really a hidden gem in the Hockley area of Nottingham!
If you like Gin then stop by between 14th August and 30th August to enjoy their Gin Festival 2015.
Jam Cafe 12 Heathcote Street NG1 3AA Tel: (0115) 9483566
Twitter: Jamcafe
I am not usually a fan of buffet or all you can eat restaurants but as soon as a new one opens I like to at least try it once before never returning! Cosmo Authentic World Kitchen is a Pan Asia World Banquet style buffet restaurant meaning they have food from all over the world in different sections throughout the restaurant, so there should be something for everyone. Cosmo's philosophy is to offer casual dining with a banquet of freshly prepared food in stunning restaurants (according to their website). They first launched in 2003 with their first restaurant in Eastbourne and over the years have introduced Sushi and Teppanyaki, Live Cooking and Global Cuisine after establishing their brand and opening their first branded restaurant of the chain in 2008.
The Cosmo in Nottingham has only been open a month or two and I thought what better time to try it then straight away! After finishing University and having to say goodbye to a friend who was going back home a group of us thought we would visit Cosmo as a farewell dinner and also an opportunity for me to blog and review the place!
It is tucked away through a door and up some stairs on Milton Street in the city centre, upon entering you are immediately aware of how glam they have tried to make a buffet restaurant - much better then a rushed cheap eatery that you do not feel comfortable in (I won't mention where I am thinking of). Inside the theme is bright lights with slate grey walls and floor and satin booths with diamante style buttons - very Footballers Wives I personally think. Sometimes it can all just be a bit too much!
The food is sectioned into different cuisines with live cooking in different parts for example fresh cooked pasta or Teppanyaki. There is Italian, Indian, British, Japanese, Chinese, Mexican and Greek...there could be more but there is a lot of food to put it simply. I saw rice, noodles, fried chicken, sushi, roast pork, curry and even pizza - the list is endless.
I made my way around the buffet trying a few new things and drooling at the selection of desserts. I have never been to a buffet restaurant that has "grown up" desserts as well as the usual ice cream machine for children. At Cosmo you have gelato, creme brûlée and apple crumble to name a few but there is also a kids station with the ice cream machine and sweets for toppings. Oh and the flavours of the gelato are heavenly; vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, coffee, hazelnut, chocolate chip, coconut and pistachio! I had coffee and hazelnut which are amazing and full of flavour.
Unlimited soft drinks and amazing cocktails... I didn't have high expectations for my Margarita when I ordered it but was so surprised when it arrived and was probably one of then best one's I have ever had, so good in fact I had two...maybe three! Prices are also really reasonable with the evening buffet being between £13.99 and £15.99 and cocktails only around £5 it will not burn a hole in your pocket at all.
Although I am still not a converted buffet or world dining restaurant lover I wouldn't close the door on Cosmo forever as I definitely did like the food even if the decor was a bit over the top. As it is a new restaurant you can tell the staff are inexperienced and are loving their walkie talkie and ear pieces which they like to listen to more than the customers at times. If you are in Nottingham and want something along the lines of quick and buffet style I would definitely recommend this one over the others though as it seems to be the best so far. Maybe I will revisit again in the future to see if it changes at all.
Let me know if you have been yet or if you have suggestions for other buffet style restaurants I should try! x
Cosmo Nottingham, Trinity Square, 29A Milton Street NG1 3EN Tel: (0115) 9507755
Twitter: CosmoNottingham
I was on a Twitter chat around a month or two ago when it became apparent that there are quite a few of us East Midlands based bloggers. This chat seemed to be full of us and it sparked an idea to create a Facebook page and Twitter profile for us all to chat together (the credit goes to Dee who set both of these up!). The conversations quickly grew and the first East Midlands Blogger Meet Up was born!
At this meet up we had myself, Emmie, Rachael, Hannah, Kirsty, Samantha and Chelsea (all of their lovely blogs are linked!). We decided to meet at the Nottingham Castle for a picnic and exploration of the gardens and museum as a way to break the ice. We didn't need to worry at all though because as soon as we met at the Train Station we were chatting and discussing our favourite bloggers and YouTubers and who we would (and wouldn't) like to meet.
We each brought something for the picnic and ended up with a giant feast which we couldn't finish, there was a mixture of homemade cakes and sandwiches, sushi and cocktail sausages and jam tarts and strawberries. After the picnic had finished and we had stopped laughing at the awkward engagement shoot that was happening next to us, we packed up and took a stroll around the grounds for pictures and to see the sights. This was a great way to show the city to the girls who hadn't visited Nottingham before and for me to show off the gorgeous views you get from behind The Castle and over The Park Estate.
After all the wondering and chatting we were in need of a drink so decided to visit The Castle Pub for a cheeky tipple before each going our own ways. This also was a way to get to know each other as you can tell a lot from the drink someone chooses at 2 O'Clock in the afternoon!
This was a great first meet up with the girls and fellow bloggers and I look forward to the next one!
If you want to join in or contribute to the next meet up in Leicester on the 4th July follow @EMidBloggers and use the hashtag #eastmidsmeetup on Twitter, join the Facebook Group or email me at elliekathleen01@gmail.com
I know, I know it has been a while but I thought why not come back to blogging with an introduction to my new blog series, Afternoon Tea Tour! My friend and I have been wanting to try loads of afternoon tea delights lately and thought what better way than to blog about them as a tour....with tea and cake!
First up on the tour is Hart's Hotel, an independent hotel bordering the City Centre of Nottingham and The Park Estate. This hotel is still relatively new and was only built around 12-13 years ago which was years after the Hart's Restaurant opened in the old General Hospital on the same site. The restaurant is fine dining but Hart's host their afternoon tea in the Park Bar over in the hotel and it is served between 12pm and 6pm everyday. With the selection changing according to the seasons and Summer just around the corner we thought what better way to start our afternoon tea tour than with new Spring/Summer offerings.
Hart's serve their selection on a three tier stand, specifically designed for two people, that is full on each layer with delicious food. On the bottom layer we had two savoury Cheese and Spring Onion Scones, two Ham and Mustard Sandwhiches, two Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese Sandwhiches and two Cucumber Sandwhiches, finger size of course.
I almost forgot to mention that Hart's have a sister bakery named Hambleton Bakery who supply them with fresh baked bread and delicious cakes everyday, the scones for the afternoon tea are baked fresh everyday and the tea has unlimited refills - everything really is fresh and delicious. On sunny days they also serve lunch and afternoon tea in their courtyard and it can be ordered with Prosecco or Champagne for those special occasions!
The second tier of the stand had two Lemon Tarts, two Chocolate Brownies, two Tea Cakes, two Macarons and two Mini-Eton Mess Desserts. The lemon tarts were just lemon enough, the chocolate brownies had a gorgeous coffee note and the Eton Mess desserts were just enough to not feel guilty about afterwards!
Oh wow, finally the third tier - each tier gets a little smaller which is perfect for a mid-afternoon treat too. The last tier had two more Macarons, two Sweet Scones and some fresh berries. On the table was Jam, Butter and Clotted Cream so we could be as decadent as we wanted to be and with a wide range of teas on offer we could easily have sat there until dinner time.
We really enjoyed our afternoon and can't wait to continue the tour! Thank you to all the staff at Hart's! Let me know if there is anywhere you suggest I visit on the Afternoon Tea Tour xx
Afternoon Tea is £21.95 per person however we were treated to 20% off.
The Adams Restaurant is located in the Adams building in the Lace Market area of Nottingham City Centre. It is housed in a stunning building that was previously a factory but is now one of the buildings which New College Nottingham operate in. The restaurant is open Monday - Friday for lunch and coffee and in the evenings on Wednesday and Thursday for dinner. Each week the menu changes according to the seasons and to fit in with any special events such as, St Patricks Day. The menu's range from 3 courses for £15.95 to a 5 course tasting menu for £19.95.
The great thing about Adams restaurant though is that it is ran by students who are currently studying at the college, whether that be doing an NVQ or helping out in-between their studies for their degree. Assisted by a supervising teacher in front of house and also in the kitchen the students aren't completely alone but have the opportunity to experience a real life restaurant whilst studying in the industry. I decided to book for their Vegetarian Themed Evening where the 5 course menu looked simple but sounded delicious.
We had already looked over the menu before we got there (otherwise it would have taken an hour to decide what we want!) and therefore had an idea of what to order. The wine list is varied and there is definitely something for everyone. We chose a lovely bottle of red and enjoyed the laid-back atmosphere before our first course arrived. The restaurant wasn't busy but we had indirectly been made aware of this because of the half price offer they advertised on social media during the day! This was fine by us though as we were in the mood for a quiet evening and fast paced service.
First up was the Amuse Bouche of "Watercress and spring onion soup finished with truffle oil". This was the perfect starter and was full of flavour, accompanied with this was your choice of a white or brown homemade bread roll - again the bread was warm, soft and so tasty! Then came the starter of "Moroccan spiced vegetable kebabs, red onion salad and coriander dressing" this was pleasant but I felt like the kebab was laking in vegetables funnily enough. A really nice spice and dressing but there could have been just a little bit more.
For the third out of five dishes came the intermediate small palette cleanser - "Cucumber and mint sorbet". I can definitely see how this would have been a lovely cleanser before the main course however, there was definitely too much sugar used to make this and therefore it was more like a sweet dessert than a refreshing sorbet. Main course for me was the "Vegetable thai curry, coconut milk, pak choi, jasmine rice and shaved coconut". I was so glad I chose this as my main as the rice was full of flavour the curry was creamy but had a lovely thai spiced taste and the vegetables were cooked to perfection.
Finally, dessert - who can say no to a "Chocolate and hazelnut cheesecake, dark chocolate ice-cream and hazelnut praline"?? After 4 other courses this could have been the perfect finish but unfortunately didn't quite make it. The cheesecake mixture was just plain cheesecake on top of a hazelnut base and topped with a very hard chocolate ganache. I ended up, and from looking around the room so did others, separating each element of the cheesecake as I just couldn't get my fork through the chocolate. The ice-cream was delicious and the praline was lovely but the cheesecake could have been better.
An overall decadent and satisfying meal and I would be happy to return to try another themed taster menu! The waiter we had was obviously quite new but served us so well and was very generous and a great host for the evening. Well done to the team for the night and I would recommend everyone to go and try their lunch or dinner menu!
Adams Restaurant, The Adams Building, Stoney Street NG1 1NG - Tel: (0115) 910 4510
Twitter: @ncn_Adams
Every year in Nottingham we have a 'Light Night' city wide event which celebrates light in many forms by local businesses. This year there were 40 businesses taking part and I was lucky enough to be invited along to see how Debbie Bryan was involved.
Debbie Bryan opened her store in the Lace Market area of Nottingham in 2009, selling her own award winning scarves and brooches. With a Masters in Fashion and Textiles Debbie has exhibited and sold her work in 6 countries, including Italy, Hong Kong and the USA. The store, which is nearby to Debbie's design studio, has expanded it's offerings over the past 6 years and now houses the cities Lace Archives, independent art, home decorations, textiles and a tucked away Tea Room. In the historic Lace Market and Creative Quarter, Debbie has been able to contribute a creative business in this perfect location and beautiful building in a secluded street that is still easy to find.
During this festival of light, Debbie offered a late Crafternoon where customers were able to have a relaxed get together and stitch their own items whilst enjoying the event. With inspiration all around the store and a cheerful host it was easy to sit there for, what felt like, hours and watch the people come and go and see the creations people were making. Crafternoons are sessions that Debbie holds for groups of people who may wish to get together and enjoy tea and cakes whilst creating their own Lampshades, Wreaths or even Cake Stands.
If you are interested in going along and crafting you don't have to be in a group though as regular events are held for occasions all year round. These are perfect for those budding crafters or close friends who want to do something a little different on an afternoon whilst spending some time together and taking something home handmade by you.
The majority of items are made in store and everything is labelled to be bought or just admired at your own leisure. From the simple gift tags to jewellery and items of clothing this store really does have something for everyone and if you are in need of a last minute Valentines Day present these cute 'I Love You' bowls would be perfect.
Getting back on track to the Light Night event, I took some time to take a look around the store at all of it's offerings. It may not look large from the front but once you step in side you are greeted by a lovely decorated space and beautiful furniture housing delicate and intricate pieces of fabric and art. Framed original lace and sections of delicate white lace can be bought for your own collection or possibly used when you attend one of the craft events. The store is welcoming and has beautifully selected pieces that make you want to stay there and never leave - though with the store open until 6pm you can definitely enjoy your time there for as long as you want to.
I am a huge fan of scented candles, aren't all bloggers? So when I saw this new collection of fragranced kitchen candles I was blown away by their scents and affordability (£15). In large white ceramic jars there are sweet and savoury scents for everyone's home and I am sure many homes in Nottingham will soon house one of these. My favourites were Rhubarb and Custard, Victoria Sponge and the amazing Hot Chocolate one that was burning in the Tea/Brew Room. So heavenly and comforting I wanted to buy them all, maybe just a few to start.
Light Night is a celebration of light creations interpreted in many different ways. As Debbie sells gorgeous home decorations she displayed her offerings of lights and handmade lampshades throughout the store. Lit up in windows, in display cabinets and on tables were multiple lights each with delicate details and soft shades that would suit any work top or bedside table. The store has been carefully designed to incorporate many items at the same time and have them relate to each other in a way that doesn't look too cluttered and messy.
As the new Brew Room and Afternoon Tea offerings were being advertised I couldn't help myself but to pull up a comfortable wooden chair and enjoy a Pot of Tea with a Homemade Scone served with jam and clotted cream. The tea pot kept on giving and the scone was delicious and big enough for an evening snack but not too dense or heavy. Everything was enjoyable and I could have eaten a few more scones if my stomach would have allowed me to. There may have also been a cheeky tipple added to my tea that made me love the evening even more - well it was a Friday night!
The local produce of drinks and food items looked amazing and was very affordable compared to items of similar appearance in your local supermarket (£6). The honey's and local ales look amazing and I over heard good things about their taste too, with some ales room temperature and some refrigerated Debbie had definitely thought of everything to make the evening very enjoyable for all. The next time I am in the area I will be browsing the candles, cards and jars to see what goodies I can treat myself to and support the local businesses whilst I am there.
I would recommend Debbie Bryan to anyone looking for an event space, afternoon tea, gifts or even clothes, there really is something for everyone and with a great host and atmosphere I can see why customers are always returning. Thank you to Debbie and the apprentices who help her run the store I really had an enjoyable evening and will be back again soon.
Debbie Bryan, 18 St Mary's Gate, The Lace Market, Nottingham - 0115 957776
Twitter and Instagram: DebbieBryanShop
Let me know if you have ever been to Debbie Bryan or know of a similar store I should visit! xx
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