Elma - Royal Leamington Spa

Our Anniversary Meal.

I wanted to chose a place for our fifth anniversary meal that would be different, something fun and something I knew we would both enjoy. Looking briefly up restaurants in Leamington, Elma stuck out, one because it was turkish and two because the name reminded me of an elephant I am 99% sure it was a multi coloured elephant from a story book. 

I emailed the restaurant trying to book a table for 17.30pm they quickly replied explaining that they didn't open until 6pm but suggested I could still go and have drinks up the bar. I thought that it was a really nice touch and made me really look forward to going there.

It was now time to go to the restaurant after getting changed in public toilets and doing my hair and make up in my car. It took us roughly 20 minutes to find the restaurant even though it was only 2 minutes from the main high street it is
hidden down a side road. We eventually got to the restaurant at about 6pm we walked in and explained we had a table booked for 17.30pm etc and the lady told us they had opened early for us, I instantly felt guilty.

We sat down and the lady came over to take the spare table cutlery away and take our drinks ordered, we both ordered a coca cola and a still mineral water. Roughly 5 minutes later she came over and took our food orders, we had a cold meze sharing platter which was beautiful, I ordered a saffron chicken and chips turkish style obviously and Sam had a duck stew. I was so impressed with both of our food it was perfect. 

we waited roughly 20 minutes before having dessert we had another sharing platter of baklava, pistachio ice cream, vanilla ice cream and saffron candy floss which was soooooo yummy and I really enjoyed it. We also bought a bottle of turkish Raki which I haven't had since 2012 in crete,  So I had to buy it haha. The total bill with everything included was £70 which I thought was really good for what we had.

I would 100% recommend this place to a friend. if you are looking for great food that has a relaxed atmosphere.

Becky xx

Bella Italia - Bentley Bridge

Family Meal.

Photo from google.

On Saturday 23rd May 2015, Myself and my boyfriends family went out for a BEAUTIFUL meal to celebrate Tony and Ade's (Sam's Dad and Uncle) 50th birthday. All of the family was there, I had never been to Bentley bridge, I had no idea it existed as it is roughly 30 - 40 minutes from where I live.

look at my amazing arrow drawing skills.

We walked in and were greeted by a lovely woman that was like out own personal waitress throughout the evening, A male member of staff was also there ready to greet us with big smiles. Half of the our family were already seated, we had a lovely little corner right by the window and the bar. There was 10 of us all together and it wasn't cramped.

This is the area we sat. Photo from google.

Our lovely waitress (who for this blog I am going to call Sharnie) came over ready to take our drinks order, I had a cherry milkshake and a small bottle of water, If you go to bella italia and you are a fan of cherry flavours you have to try this milkshake. The drinks were brought over promptly and Sharnie then asked us for our starter orders, I had the Pizza spirale which were melted mozzarella in dough with a pizza sauce dip (they were so yummy).

Tony with his soup starter. Sharnie with the massive Pepper.

Sharnie took our main orders at the same time as our starters, I ordered a dish called Agnello Tagliatelle which was shredded slow cooked lamb with a red wine ragu and tagliatelle pasta. It was the best lamb pasta I have ever had, I enjoyed it so much that I am going to attempt my own version (I will keep you posted on how that goes). 

This was my actual meal. YUM!!

Finally all the mains were finished and the pudding menus were brought over. They all looked so decadent on the menu and I was so full I opted for 3 shot glasses, banoffee pie, strawberry cheesecake, and cherry panna cotta. All I can say about the dessert was WOW it was delicious. Sam had the "big Tony" and it was so big! that he couldn't finish it but Ade helped, he didn't get the Human dustbin nickname for nothing.

My yummy deserts.

We asked for the bill and it came to roughly £240.00 mine and Sam's was £64.15. It might seem a lot of money but the atmosphere, the service and the food definitely explain why. I would go here again and again and again. We left Sharnie a £20 tip and she deserved it. Yum !!

            Family Photos 

Becky xx