What's the difference between ordering a Macdonalds on a screen, or going to a restaurant and writing your own numbers on a sheet of paper before handing it in. About £150 quid and the price of a pencil here in Suffolk. You can tell when something gets my gripe can't you? Let me elaborate for those that have not been. The other day I was told to try Milsom's in Kesgrave. They have a few " posh" restaurants, hotels and spa's around, and are regarded in the Suffolk grapevine as one of the higher quality restaurants, so I was definitely interested to try. I had heard from various people in the industry that booking is not possible here, which is entirely their prerogative, although could be tricky for the less mobile, or diabetics, as in the height of summer on a Saturday there are rumours to be queues. I think there are advantages to not having reservations, in case people don't turn up for example ( Mr and Mrs Milson, maybe a deposit would solve this problem?) To avoid the possible surge we arrived around 2pm with plenty of parking available. I won't go on about the building, except its well kept with marvellous straight lines in the lawn that would challenge any cricket pitch. Its clean and swish, a nice bar, and a warm smile. Now let me get to the nitty, gritty... what on earth is this way of ordering food! a piece of paper and a pencil? with the appropriate numbers. I mean, unless they have staff who are incapable of actually knowing what the dish is when asked, a lack of knowledge of drinks, or a chef that wants the customer to write his own ticket? What a let down. The meals are quite expensive too... lets say an average of £23 per main. I say main loosely, as my chicken although looking very pretty was barely a side of a corn on the cob and 2 inches of chicken. I will however, balance this up with the absolutely huge cheese platter for a tenner, so a slight imbalance, especially as I can pretty much guarantee the profit from the bird was lost on the cheese. All of this came to a ripe old price, despite my poor enthusiastic waitress not having a clue what a Cote de Provence was, " sorry a number 127" So with all that said, the food was pretty, the waitress was lovely, and the grass was green. It was however overpriced, and threw out the word " hospitality" from its own remit. If you do go, maybe save some cash by ordering just the cheese.. again sorry, the 134, which is exceptional. Clare Widdowson ( food critique and writer)
Many people ask how I judge an establishment, and I feel it is only fair for me to explain. It’s not rocket science, it's down to value for money. If its a £7 pizza in a back alley, where the pizza is excellent and there is a smile from the Nona, or if it’s a £55 glass of Chablis offered on a silver tray by a specialist who can tell you exactly which vineyard it is from and the reason why that year was the best... it doesn't really matter to me. However, the value for money is very important. Clare Widdowson ( food critique and writer) Sometimes in Suffolk I feel, as do most of the local consumers I speak to, that the restaurants seem to have some kind of arrogance. Be it "struggling post Covid" - are we not all, hence we save for these experiences, to "supply chain issues". Be it service staff or wheat in a warzone. Regardless of this, we are all feeling it. So when us consumers decide to spend our hard earned cash, we ask for 3 things: service with a smile, quality of the dish, with both of those adding up to getting value for the money we spend. If the decor is good, then bonus! Which brings me on to this weeks "critique of the week" The Salt House Harbour Hotel restaurant. Again, another restaurant that is classed as of the high end" choices of Ipswich. Situated in a prime position on the waterfront, with an equally swish interior, enough leather to challenge any S&M madam, and a very impressive unicorns head on the wall, of which I wasn't quite sure why?..but lets leave it to artistic flair. On arrival there did seem to be a slight panic, and my pet hate, I was ignored, standing like a numpty for about 6 mins! I would like to point out that this was most definitely not the fault of the run ragged waitresses, more to the disturbance of the feminist hidden inside, there seemed to be some suited men standing around doing not very much whilst these rather marvellous but yet flustered waitresses were pouring pints whilst smiling at customers, serving dishes and cleaning. Once seated, the menu was small and the dishes expensive. Like Milsom's, an average ticket of £23 (although luckily we did have a waitress at that price to take our order!) and to be honest a smaller menu points to fresh products, of which I was very pleased to see James Hunt fisheries as a supplier. I chose oysters as a starter, especially as I know James Hunt in Felixstowe's reputation for fresh and quality produce, and they did not disappoint. But now for the problem... I decided to go a little off piste, be a little bit veggie, after all I cannot just critique for the meat eaters. So I opted for the "Burrata and Charred Peach" It was beautifully presented, fresh, pretty, and enough food for a main, what could go wrong? Well, a burrata for those of you that are not so sure, is a little similar to a child biting into a Cadburys Creme Egg. It isn't the outside that's interesting... you can get the chocolate in any old supermarket. It’s the soft gooey centre where it’s at. A burrata is the same for cheese lovers, where a cream oozes, mixed with a soft cheese curd, with the outer layer being mozzarella. A bit like a chocolate fondant. Now here I felt a little like a mug. I cut into my mozzarella drum roll ... to find. ... mozzarella. This was no burrata! Bringing it to their attention in a kind and nice way, ( after all the rest was excellent) once the man in a suit ( after all I did not want to give my poor attentive waitress any more stress,) had not managed to fob me off on the fact that the slightly moist mozzarella was indeed a burrata, it kind of got blamed on the supplier, " the chef cannot have known" ... which is actually true, unless he sticks a skewer in every one he serves, and maybe no one else had said. However, 100% no more than a mozzarella ball from Sainsburys for 89p of which you are now paying £18. So now I revert back from my intro... was this value for money ? Most definitely not. I will however point out, my waitress was brilliant, attentive, kind and knew her stuff. The décor was clean, swish and smart. The food was fresh and inventive. But last point.... a £35 quid bottle of chianti should never be a screw top ( pet hate of mine at that price) Value for money .. sorry, not quite there Salthouse. Clare Widdowson ( food critic)
Walking through the doors of The Strawberry Teapot in Sudbury is really quite an experience, you are transported back into the time of the world wars through its decoration and colours, so is really themed nicely. Indeed, Ipswich has one very similar which has been a real hit in the afternoon tea world, or birthdays for the elder generation with its genuine articles to transport people back in time. However, the menu certainly isn't in the theme and whether you agree it should, commercially that really wouldn't make sense in Sudbury. So you will find your alternative milks and your fashionable " avo with bagels" which is a slight contradiction to the environment. However, it suited me and i was pleased to see that I could also have an alcoholic beverage, which was actually probably a good thing as the terrible wartime music was getting a little bit on my ... shall we say, crochet doilies! maybe turn that down a little! That said, the service was exceptional, there was real tea, and clearly all the food was homecooked with exceptionally large portions. Also compared to other places ( especially in Sudbury) it is very good value. I opted for a Breakfast omelette ( see below) which was £8.50, but it certainly wasn't rationed like the war. Its definitely worth a visit if you are in the area, or maybe if you are thinking where to take your grandma, its an excellent plan. Just maybe be prepared to ask for the music to be put down a tad! You will find " The Strawberry teapot" on Friars Street, Sudbury, Suffolk Jamie Flejou ( content writer)
" Oh don't worry" said the instructor , I have never known anyone to be " seriously injured!" I could feel my stomach churning as a look of horror passed over my face! I had been told to visit this place by a friend, my friend was in the Air Force and was used to throwing himself out of planes, so I was now seriously doubting why on earth I would listen to him?. But, here I was, Avid Climb Ipswich. Incase you didn't already know, Avid is an indoor climbing centre with a difference. There are no ropes or clips! To the experienced I believe this is called " bouldering". Its a centre with climbing walls that Avid often move and change so that regulars just keep on coming back for more. The floor is on the softer side, and I have witnessed my own 9 year old falling from the very top. Nope he was not hurt in the slightest, so it is definitely well thought out. It really helps with focus too, after all, it isn't clip and climb, you have to very carefully come down the same way as you go up! But also across the walls can be a challenge too. Clearly Suffolk has some fantastic and breath taking climbers, I saw at least 4 climbers who could have taken on Spiderman after a pint or two. But the vibe of the place is friendly, there are always staff around to help and safety is very much observed. Its also quite a bargain ( sssshhhhh! ) Under 18s £7 and adult £11 and that is for unlimited time. Personally I think that it is best to take your kids as soon as it opens in the day, where it is quieter. All ages are welcome, I have been put to shame by a 6 year old on many a climb! It does tend to get busy after 5 in the week, therefore I tend to think that if you are taking younger ones then its best to go as it opens which is 10am on a weekend. If you don't fancy a climb, then there is an absolutely incredible cafe, with amazing homemade cakes ( gluten free and alternative milks are available) and you can just sit back on the super comfy sofas and watch the people go by... and up and down... and round and round. Avid is open 7 days a week. For more info check out Avid on www.avidclimbing.co.uk 8 Bermuda Road, Ipswich, IP3 9RU Clare Widdowson
When I came back to Ipswich last year I was saddened to see so many shops closed, and since then a fair few more. We all have our ideas about who is to blame, but that doesn't help the fact that no one seems to be improving what was once a vibrant shopping and bar filled town. What did strike me though, was that we still had St Nicolas street and that had not really changed so much. When people come to stay we always know that its a great road to walk up in order to hide many of the short fallings of Ipswich Town Centre. But I find that this street is getting more and more lazy with its traders. I have wandered up there many a day glancing at the signs on the doors, "closed on Sundays and Mondays" , " sorry not open" or " open 10-2.30" ( and that was a brand new coffee shop!) There is a reason, other than its quality, that Applaud do so well. They are " present" everyone knows its open. People head there rather than have to trawl the miserable Ipswich streets. They park outside on their way to work to pop in for a cinnamon bun or a latte. I am aware that many shopkeepers are having to make decisions on how to juggle the rising costs, but closing will not keep them in our minds for long. The first rule of hospitality. Be there, be enticing and be enthusiastic! Clare Widdowson