Showing posts with label rice. Show all posts
Showing posts with label rice. Show all posts
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
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
Yamas, 5 Thurland Street, Nottingham NG1 3DR - (0115) 950 1000
Yamas in Nottingham is a beloved restaurant that I have been to many of times yet I think is still a hidden gem in the city centre. It is a Mediterranean Meze and Tapas restaurant that is independently owned by a Greek gentleman who also works there serving tables and being the perfect host. None of the dishes are expensive and they also have set menus for larger groups or new customers who aren't sure what to order.
We got there early at 6pm to have a meal before going to see the new film 'Lucy'. It was pretty quiet but picked up by the time we were leaving. Starting the night with a bottle of Beaujolais, not very Mediterranean but I love red wine, we looked over the menu and chose around 3/4 dishes each to order.
And we are never disappointed by what we get! Salmon and Prawns in a creamy tomato sauce and Lamb Tagine with Apricots.
A huge bowl of Greek Salad - red onion, tomatoes, feta cheese, black olives, cucumber and rocket.
Our favourite dish of Octopus! We always order this as it is so nice and not at all rubbery, served in a tomato sauce.
Giant Butter Beans and Saffron Rice.
Chorizo with peppers and onions.
And to finish...who can resist dessert! The menu is very Greek and rich and so are the desserts. The options are limited but with something for everyone from Yoghurt and Honey to Chocolate Fudge Cake and Cheesecake to traditional Baklava - layers of filo pastry and almonds drizzled with honey.
We drank our wine, had good conversation (if you have seen my Twitter you will also have heard about a terrible YouTube viewer!) and at the end were offered complimentary shots of Amaretto or Sambuca. We both chose Amaretto (which we always do when they give us these options) and were given a pleasant farewell and handshake at the door.
I recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for intimate or casual dining that has a great atmosphere and even better food.
Let me know if any of you decide to go or have been anywhere similar I can try! xx
This is my easy and healthy Weekend Two Bean Chilli with Brown Rice. It is an adaption of this recipe from Food Network but with a few less ingredients and a few shortcuts. This was my first time cooking this and it is so good that it will probably live up to it's name and be made every weekend. This can serve however many people you like and the heat can be mild or as spicy as you want it so it is completely adaptable to all tastebuds. It takes no time at all and if you already have cooked brown rice, maybe left over from the day before, it is so easy to whip this up in around 15 minutes.
Serves: 2
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes with cooked rice/45 minutes with uncooked rice
Ingredients:
1 Small Red Onion
1 Vegetable Stock Cube
2 tsps Hot Chilli Powder
1 tsp Chinese 5 Spice
1 Carton of Chopped Tomatoes with Olive Oil and Garlic
1 Tin of Red Kidney Beans
1 Tin of Black Beans
1/2 Cup of Uncooked Brown Rice
A Little Oil
1. If the rice isn't already cooked then measure and heat as per packet instructions. Typically 60g per person for 25-30 minutes until almost all the water has gone.
2. Whilst waiting for the rice to cook chop the red onion, drain and wash the beans and open the tomatoes.
3. Once the rice has cooked put in the serving dish and cover with a plate to keep warm and moist.
4. Rinse and dry the pan then add a little oil. Soften the onions on a medium heat for around 3 minutes then add 1 teaspoon of Chinese 5 Spice and 2 teaspoons of Hot Chilli Powder. The seasonings will dry on the pan so stand back, turn down the heat and add 1/4 cup of warm water. Tip: if you do not want this chilli spicy then add a Mild Chilli Powder or maybe just 1 teaspoon.
5. Continuously stir on a low heat and add the Vegetable Stock Cube. Stir for around 4-5 minutes until all the water as reduced.
6. Add the tomatoes and beans and turn the heat back up to medium to allow to warm up for 5 more minutes. This is where you can add more heat if you need to.
7. Spoon the Chilli over the Brown Rice and enjoy!
Let me know if you try this and what you think! xx
Disclaimer: All ingredients were purchased by myself and cooked by myself, a lot of the ingredients came from one supermarket but this blog is in no way affiliated with them.
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