Copita, putting tapas back on the map

What? Copita, a gaustro tapas bar with a menu that celebrates it's Spanish heritage (of course) but with added flare. For instance a plate of partially dried manchego became a more elequant looking cheese board and potato bravas with aioli, sweet potato with bravas sauce and peanuts. Then there were lots of dishes that are less expected of a tapas bar; roasted vegetables, red wine & lentils (meaty without a trace of meat) and deliciously sweet parsnip with roasted hazelnuts. It was the truffled goats cheese with honey and almonds that stole the show though, so much so we ordered two. We were less convinced by the ajo blanco and beetroot but one in five unsavory dishes wasn't bad.

Where? Tucked behind Oxford Street on D'Arblay Street, or across from Bodeans if that means more to you.

Do? Go as a small group so you can sample as much of their 25 strong menu as possible and be sure to wash it down with a goblet of generously poured 'gin tonic' (as the Spanish like to call it).

Don't? Go to Copita if you're hard of hearing or have a headache, the collective sound of 50+ diners in a 4x4 room meant I was glad to have perfected the art of lip reading. For that reason also not ideal for first dates, unless you don't mind getting close of course.

6 dishes, bread + 2 gin tonics, c.£25 each, between 3.

The food in Goring is one in a Mill-ion

What? The Miller of Mansfield, a 15 room inn / pub / dining experience recently taken over by Heston Boumenthal protègès. They serve fine ales (approved by the boyf) a large selection of wines (approved by me) and celebrate the mills heritage in their menu; expect home made bread & butter and dishes with the likes of Pearl Barley. 

Where? Nestled in the beautifully sleepy Thames-side village of Goring, just 50 minutes from London Paddington and a 3 minute walk from Goring & Streatley station. It's an idealic location for an overnight stay so how convenient that The Miller has accommodation! Hotels (if we can catergorise the Miller as such) have gained a mixed reputation where food is concerned but don't be fooled, food is definitely the main event here.

Do? Stay over, that way your get to experience breakfast as well as dinner. Dinner is, if you like, three courses with an amuse-bouche. Main was the most wonderfully cooked duck with layered potato, sausage & beetroot and dessert, chocolate custard with home-made fudge & sesame crisps. Breakfast is a buffet and/or a cooked menu, which includes the best sausages you'll ever taste. 

Don't? Leave without trying a sausage roll (yes there's a sausage theme here). I did and I'm regretting it. I'm not especially a fan of sausage rolls but the scent of them as we walked through the bar was overpowering.

Three courses with amuse bouche plus 2 large glasses of wine c. £45.

Pictured. Salmon, duck and chocolate custard.

Bovey Castle: A fairy tail castle lacking the royal servants

What? Bovey Castle, a quintessentially British country house estate. Home to 60 or so rooms, a spa, 18 hole golf course and all the country pursuits you could possibly imagine.

Where? Set in the 326 miles of Dartmoor, South Devon. It really is in the middle of nowhere so take a sat nav, or a helicopter.

Do? Order a large afternoon tea each if you're hungry. We had one to share and ended up with one of everything. It wasn't disastrous but I like my sweet things and I'd have liked one to myself, especially the one bite wonders.

Don't? Expect amazing service. I initially tried to book online (via email) and after a week had no response. When I called to book there was no acknowledgement of this, nor apology. I asked if we could sit on the terrace if it was nice, and called the day prior to make sure this request could be honoured. On the day we were guided to a table indoors, and of course there were no available tables outdoors. There was no offer of extra tea, nor any level of attentiveness by the waiting staff. All quite surprising for an establishment that boasts such an upmarket clientele.

A hidden gem in Coffinswell

What. The Linny, an old coachouse dating back to 1300s. Full of history and interesting artifacts, plus great food and locally brewed beverages.

Where. Tucked away in Coffinswell, a small but beautiful hamlet lined with thatched cottages, hidden down a country lane in Kingskerswell, Devon.

Do. Leave room for dessert, if you can. My recommendation, the chocolate brownie. It's the best I've ever eaten; dense, intense and moist, just as a brownie should be. 

Don't. Leave it until you've finished to order a taxi, even if the taxi firm tells you it's fine to. It won't be, especially if it's a Saturday night and you'll be stranded in the middle of nowhere.

Gimme a piece of pizza

What? Rossopomodoro, whose pizzas are as much of a mouthful as their name. This is Napoli's no.1 pizza brand, recently extended to the UK. I normally favour more independent family run Italians, but because it's a business with italian heritage it feels a lot more novel than say, Pizza Express. We couldn't fault the pizza, solid in size; good crust; no soggyness or scrimping on the toppings.

Where? Jameston Road, Camden. They have 5 further restaurants dotted around North, South, East & West London.

Do? Have the pizza (as opposed to pasta) but to share, and make sure whoever you're dining with has something else, so you can sample other things on the menu. I'm not normally impressed by pasta because you can make it easily at home, but some of the Roasopomodoro's dishes did get my attention. 

Don't? Pass Rossopomodoro off as just another pizza chain. Yes the music is a bit euro-trash but everything is genuinely italian, from the recipes and ingredients; through to the staff and fellow diners.

Pictured. Verduretta (vegetarian pizza) & insalatuccia (mixed leaves, cherry tomato, carrot & red onion salad)

£20 for a pizza & salad to share, washed down with 2 glasses of wine.

A Turkish casbah in North London

What? Kusadasi, a proper family run Turkish restaurant with a wide ranging menu. My relationship with this restaurant began as a post-drinking joint, but over time has flourished in to a discovery of amazing food. If you get to know the owner he invites you to sample Turkish tea whilst you wait for your food to be prepared, yes we have been that much.

Where? Fortess Road, Tufnell Park. North London.

Do? Have the chicken shish which is cooked on hot coals and comes in what I can only describe as a 'spongy' wrap (not too heavy on the carbs) which comes warm & stuffed with fresh salad. You'll probably manage one between two.

Don't? Be put off by the fact that at first glance this looks a run of the mill kebab shop, it's not. The food in this place is suitable for more than just soaking up the booze and we now call on our Turkish friends weekly.

The chicken shish

The taste of Portugal

What? Canelacafe, a modern Portuguese cafe-cum-restaurant, but more of a nice cafe to be honest. At first sight the menu reads like a Masterchef-contestant-gone-mad in the kitchen, with large plates such as 'beef stew with poached egg & grilled banana' but thankfully it doesn't taste as such. The food is pleasant enough, and there are plenty of less adventurous dishes if you don't like the boeuf & banana combo.

Where? Seven-Dials, Covent Garden. The more upmarket end, a bit more removed from the tourist trail.

Do? Ask the waiter twice for things, three times in fact. And then stop asking because you can't be bothered to anymore. As charming & enthusiastic as he was he had very selective hearing. Beyond that he was friendly and very enthusiastic! 

Don't? Drink too much, they don't have a toilet. Well they do but it's next door, ironically making the convenience an inconvenience.

£25 for a few small plates; bottle of wine & dessert to share.

Cod, crisps & egg and cheese breads.