< Previous50 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYHEALTH & WELLBEINGSome days you may feel great, onothers you may feel tired and lethargic oreven start off feeling energetic but soonfade. What measures do you take apartfrom how you feel in help guide whatyou do each day in the gym?There is an emerging field of researchinto how adaptable the human body is toa stressor, in this case, training. Theobvious measure of choice in moststudies is heart rate. This just means thevarying time in between each beat of theheart. For example if your resting heartrate was 60 beats per minute and beatswere separated by exactly a second eachtime that would be low variability.This is not a good thing. In this state,you feel tired possibly due to lack ofsleep, poor diet, too many hours spent atthe office or due to overtraining! Thisstate has been associated with reducedcardiovascular capacity, reducedcognitive function, reduced emotionalregulation and increased risk of injury.Low heart rates show the heart is undertight and rigid regulation from the brain.Due to the masses of variables the brainhas to regulate, if one variable is underthis type of control it suggests there is anunderlying physiological condition thatneeds protecting. However, when heart rate variability ishigh, this suggests a more fluid andflexible regulation of the heart rate fromthe brain. Thus the heart is moreadaptable to stress. When physicallytraining in this state, you can increaseyour responsiveness. A research group inFinland has shown in a number of studiesthat when you train at a high intensity ata high heart rate variability and train at alesser intensity when heart rate variabilityis low, you have increased trainingadaptations and improved cognitiveperformance in decision making tasks. There are several phone apps on themarket now that can measure your heartrate. But a more simple and cost-effectivemethod would be to start jotting downhow much sleep you get at night, howenergetic you feel in the mornings andwhat your waking heart rate is. This helps you build up a picture ofhow you feel corresponding to a restingheart rate. So if you normally managebetween seven to nine hours of sleep,your energy level is normally between sixto eight out of ten and your resting heartrate is between 65-68 bpm, what youmight find if some of these variableschange such a reduced sleep and energylevels your heart rate might creepupwards. This would suggest that the nervoussystem is a little more in control, which isa hint that you may have lower heart ratevariability. So if this was the case insteadof going crazy in a “throw-the-weights-around-til-I-drop” class, why not go for alight run or swim, do some light bodyweight exercise and do a lot of mobilitywork and stretching? This will help tobring your body back into balancequicker. When your heart rate returns toyour normal levels and the other variablesare also in check, push yourself hard tomake the most out of your window ofopportunity!PHOTO:SHUTTERSTOCKCOM/SEBASTIANKAULITZKITRAIN SMART listen to your heart!A sometimes overlooked notion for regular gym goers is that you walk into the gym in a differentphysiological state every single time. Our fitness expert James McCarron explains how toapproach each workout.050-051:Layout 1 13/9/13 14:15 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY51HEALTH & WELLBEINGPHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK COM/SEBASTIAN KAULITZKI050-051:Layout 1 13/9/13 14:16 Page 2Dressed up for theGOBLIN KING!Lincoln’s newly-refurbished Ritz Cinema on the city’s High Street recently came alive with masks,ballgowns and a sense of fantastical wonder. This was all thanks to Off The Bench’s Labyrinth-themedBall intended to raise money for the project to bring this much-loved cinema back into regular use.Transformed entirely by funds raised by volunteers, the cinema is starting to resemble its past glories. This event featured a screening of the 1986 Jim Henson classic, which was also produced by StarWars supremo George Lucas and stars David Bowie. Guests were told to dress to impress and we thinkthey did a fantastic job!This is just a selection of photographs from this event…Visit www.lincolnshiretoday.netto view and purchasecopies of the photographsLincolnshireTodayTHE REGION’S FAVOURITE COUNTY MAGAZINE52 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYSOCIAL SCENE052:Layout 1 13/9/13 13:04 Page 1Deliciously Lincolnshire It’s a tough job – but the Lincolnshire Today team have been visiting diningestablishments across the county to pick the very best for this year’s Dining Awards.Lincolnshire food is renowned as some of the best in the UK, and local ingredients arethe basis of the menus in a host of fabulous restaurants. Our Dining Awards are basedon the verdicts of our mystery diners, the views of our reviews team who visit scores ofrestaurants each year, and suggestions from readers – creating the ultimate list of thecounty’s greatest eateries.PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/VITALIY NETIAGA053:Layout 1 13/9/13 13:07 Page 1SilverserviceLincolnshire Today’s DiningAwards are only presented to thevery best establishments in thecounty – those that offerexceptional value for money, thehighest quality of service andconsistent use of local produce. What’s also important, though, is thatindefinable special something that separates thegood restaurants from the rest. Certainly, whenwe visit a restaurant, we want to know we’re going to have agood time and the welcome will be warm. That’s just asimportant as knowing the food will be excellent – andthroughout Lincolnshire, all those aspects frequently apply!These days you can find culinary innovation and a commitmentto excellence almost everywhere you turn. The standard of foodand the willingness to offer up new dining experiences that,twenty years or so ago, would onlybe available in the most exclusiveof eateries is now commonplace.On this page we highlight thewinners of our DeliciouslyLincolnshire Silver Awards. SilverAward winners can promisefantastic food in a delightfulatmosphere and continue towelcome thousands of satisfiedcustomers each year. They’re the venues we always return toknowing we’re going to get quality.Don’t forget, if you have a favourite venue that isn’tfeatured in these pages, we want to know about it!Email us at lincs-today@blmgroup.co.uk, tweet us at@lincstoday or write to us at the address at the front ofthe magazine and we’ll visit as soon as we can!54 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYFOOD & DINING - DINING AWARDSHere at The Duke ofWellington, in the wonderfulcounty of scenic Lincolnshire,our aim is to make youwelcome and deliver the verybest in food, drink andservice that will keep youcoming back time andagain. The Duke ofWellington is a muchloved part of the localcommunity that extendsa welcome to locals andvisitors alike. We offergreat food, drink and warmhospitality.NOWTAKINGCHRISTMASBOOKINGSStation Road, Midville,LincolnshirePE22 8HWTel: 01205 270593Email : dukeofwellington@fsmail.netwww.dukeofwellingtonmidville.co.ukDeliciously DeliciouslyLincolnshireSilverSilverAwarded for outstanding quality and service byLincolnshireTodayawardWWW.LINCOLNSHIRETODAY.NETPHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/SHEBEKO054-055:Layout 1 13/9/13 13:54 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY55FOOD & DINING - DINING AWARDSSuch are the huge strides made inLincolnshire’s dining establishments overthe past few years, our award winnersneed to be of a stunningly high standardand we’re thrilled to report that thedecisions over who receives one of ourprestigious awards get harder every year!Lincolnshire has a long and proudculinary heritage and the venues in thissection all make use of local producethroughout their menus. Recent eventssuch as the Lincolnshire Food Festival,which Lincolnshire Today supported, andthose events organised by SelectLincolnshire, who promote the county’sculinary creations, have featured a literalsmorgasbord of tasty treats. Indeed theFood Festival’s slogan was “around theworld and back again” – which perfectlyillustrates the county’s fantastic blend ofinternational influences with a distinctiveLincolnshire spin.Almost everywhere you go to eat inLincolnshire, at least something on themenu will have a local connection –whether that’s fish from the docks atGrimsby, Lincoln Red Beef from the farmsin rural Lincolnshire, or even ostrich fromthe ostrich farm in Boston. That’s becausetop chefs know that local produceguarantees freshness and high quality –without costing the earth.Of course, many of the best chefs taketheir cue from these traditional dishes butadd their own twist to them. Certainly ata time when many of us are lookingtowards thehealthierapproach,changing the recipe to keep in all thetaste but lose some of the fat is anobvious selling point. The result is that you’re enjoying greatfood but with a clear conscience –because it also means you’re helping tosupport Lincolnshire growers andproducers. Hence, money spent in thecounty stays in the county and goes tothe people that need it the most.The restaurants, hotels and cafesfeatured in the following pages are thosewe particularly recommend for their useof local produce and consistentinnovation and quality across their menus.PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/UDRA11Deliciously Deliciously LincolnshireGoldAwarded for outstanding quality and service byLincolnshireTodayawardWWW.LINCOLNSHIRETODAY.NETThe gold standardOver the next few pages we reveal the winners of the Deliciously Lincolnshire GoldAwards. Whether you’re looking for traditional British produce, or exciting tastesensations from around the world, there’ll be something for you in this category.054-055:Layout 1 13/9/13 13:54 Page 256 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYFOOD & DINING - DINING AWARDSThe Pyewipe is on a lane off Saxilby Road, Lincoln, LN1 2BG and is signposted. To find out more or to booka table, call 01522 528708, email enquiries@pyewipe.co.uk or log onto www.pyewipe.co.ukThe Pyewipe, LincolnThe Pyewipe sits nestled at the side of theFossdyke Canal and is a leisurely 20-minutewalk from Lincoln’s Brayford Wharf. We tooksome time out to visit and try just some of itsculinary offerings.Being a traditional pub with some of the most relaxingsurroundings in the county, we’re always impressed withthe décor and homely feel the Pyewipe exudes. Havingeaten here before, we were looking forward to trying more.Seated in a dining room off the main bar, we wereshown to our table where, even though it was midweek,was buzzing with other diners.The menu can best be described as hearty andhomemade. With a delectable selection on offer, weeventually settled on starters of twice-baked cheese souffléand a deep-fried brie with cranberry and orange sauce. Thesoufflé was a perfectly light creation and came with adeliciously creamy mushroom and spinach sauce whichmade this savoury dish come alive. The brie came wrappedin a crunchy beer batter which meant the cheese within wasstill oozing when the fork broke through. The tangy andpiquant sauce chimed perfectly. Its citrus and sweet flavourscut through the natural oils of the cheese with ease.For our main courses, we had no hesitation in requestingthe stilton and caramelised onion tart with its shards of deep-fried rocket, which gave it an oriental feel and a constrastbetween the deeply luxuriant stilton and the sweet, softonion which was enveloped in light and tasty puff pastry. Aseafood risotto also had an indulgent feel, filled withsucculent prawns along with fresh salmon to make a creamy,yet fresh dish we’d order again in a heartbeat.With so many tempting-looking desserts passing us to beenjoyed on other tables, we simply had to try one forourselves. A brandy and chocolate rouladewas just perfect. The sharp taste of the brandymelted into the subtle chocolate to create aspongy and substantial end to the meal. Araspberry ripple crème brûlée had apleasingly crunchy and sugar-snap top,giving way to a soft and indulgent centrewhere the fruit really gave it a sweet andfresh kick.Our intention is to return to the Pyewipeas soon as we can, we urge you to pay avisit too.Deliciously Deliciously LincolnshireGoldAwarded for outstanding quality and service byLincolnshireTodayawardWWW.LINCOLNSHIRETODAY.NET056-057:Layout 1 16/9/13 09:40 Page 1cooked to perfection. I opted for one ofJoomla’s stunning signature dishes, theColombo Chicken, a dish of Sri Lankanorigin made with spicy tomato sauce. Weaccompanied this with Saag Aloo, thePunjab dish of spinach, mustard greensand potato cooked with herbs and spices.All the dishes were great for sharing,which is encouraged by the informalatmosphere.Rounding off the evening with GulabJamum, Indian sweet doughnuts soakedin a sweet golden syrup, it’s clear thatthere’s plenty to enjoyat Joomla’s whetheryou’re a huge fan ofIndian cuisine or simplyan occasional diner.The friendly staff meanyou’re sure to have agood time.LINCOLNSHIRETODAY57FOOD & DINING - DINING AWARDSDeliciously Deliciously LincolnshireGoldAwarded for outstanding quality and service byLincolnshireTodayawardWWW.LINCOLNSHIRETODAY.NETWhen we visited the restaurant recentlywe were hugely impressed by the staff’sgood humour and friendly approach,telling us more about the dishes on themenu and proving attentive withoutbecoming overbearing. Joomla’s also offersa takeaway service and throughout theevening, several local residents visited topick up their order and enjoy theconversation. It’s clear that the people ofCaistor have taken Joomla’s to their heartas part of the community and the informalatmosphere makes it a great place to visit.Adding to this special atmosphere isthe fact you can see into the kitchen towatch the food being prepared – whichnot just gives you an idea of the skill ofthe restaurant’s chefs, but also to witnessthe incredibly high standards. The endresult is an intimate and hugely enjoyabledining experience.The most important aspect, though,remains the quality of the food, andJoomla’s ensure that’s fantastically high.The head chef at Joomla’s is Kashi RamBan. Kashi and his team specialise in thevery finest Indian cuisine, using authenticmethods, but there are some surpriseson the menu with some less familiardishes. When we visited, we were offeredpoppadoms while making our choicesfrom the a la carte menu – though a pre-fixed menus is also available. We beganwith some sizzling starters – the sizzlerlamb tikka and lamb chops, cooked inthe clay oven, were presentedfantastically well and made for a fabulousopening to the evening.My companion selected their maincourse from Joomla’s selection of all-timefavourites – a delicious chicken bhuna,Joomla’s IndianRestaurantJoomla’s Indian Restaurant in Caistor has certainly added somethingspecial to this pretty village. The restaurant is the brainchild ofentrepreneur Jagpreet Singh who wanted to open a venue that providedexceptional Indian cuisine, using authentic methods, while offeringdiners a welcoming experience. That’s certainly been achieved.Joomla’s in in High Street, Caistor, and for more information, or to book a table, call01472 859662 or visit www.joomlas.co.uk.056-057:Layout 1 16/9/13 09:40 Page 258 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYFOOD & DINING - DINING AWARDSSet within the wolds, South Reston is aquiet and calm village, but open the doorto the Waggon and Horses on any givennight and you’ll find it buzzing with afriendly atmosphere and diners tuckinginto some of the best food we’ve triedrecently.Traditional and homely, the restaurantstands behind the welcoming bar of thepub and extends into a light and airyconservatory so you can enjoy your mealin the manner of your choice. The menu isvast and benefits from some imaginativeselections too. Among traditional staplessuch as steak and ale pie, lasagne andother hearty meals are more exoticchoices such as springbok, water buffalo,crocodile and ostrich. There’s also afantastic amount of choice when it comesto seafood too, with shellfish, lobster andfresh fish available too.We were seated near an entertainingmarine fish tank, a nice touch which wefound our eyes drawn to throughout. Ourthoughts were firmly on food though andafter some deliberation, opted for someclams and a dish of pigeon to start. Theclams were delicious, prepared with somesubtle garlic butter, the portion wasoverly generous and really hit the spot.The pigeon came with satisfying specks ofblack pudding, a fresh leaf salad andsome fiery chilli sauce which chimed withthe rich and tasty game.The main courses are difficult tochoose from with so much choiceavailable, but then where’s the problemwith that? We chose to try the waterbuffalo steak which comes marinated in arich and hearty sauce and as a result iswell-done, falling apart with just a fork’snudge. It was deeply delicious, comingacross like a much stronger-tasting rumpsteak but tender and soft in the mouth,just delicious. My dining partner’sbourbon glazed rack of ribs was a hugeportion, coming with freshly-made chipsand salad and really impressed. The saucewas sweet and sticky, just how ribsshould be.Desserts are chosen off a chalk boardthat is brought to the table and there’sagain a wealth of choice, the traditionalchildhood favourite of a banana split wascreamy and satisfying as was thechocolate brownie which came with freshblueberries and cream and proved to bea delight.Made to feel more than welcome, weenvision returning to the Waggon andHorses very soon for more of the same;great food in comfortable and welcomingsurroundings.The Waggon and Horses is on Main Road, South Reston, Louth, LN11 8JQ. To find out more or to book atable, call 01507 450364 or log on to www.waggonandhorsesreston.co.uk The Waggon and Horses, South RestonThe Waggon and Horses sits in the small village of South Reston, on the road to Mablethorpe from Louth. We pay therestaurant a visit to see why people travel from far and wide for their delicious food.Deliciously Deliciously LincolnshireGoldAwarded for outstanding quality and service byLincolnshireTodayawardWWW.LINCOLNSHIRETODAY.NET058-059:Layout 1 13/9/13 14:03 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY59FOOD & DINING - DINING AWARDSWith décor that screams chic as well aswelcoming, it’s not your average curryhouse or restaurant. Instead, food ispresented as if for show, immaculatelylaid out and resplendent on the plate. Wewere served poppadoms and a pickle trayas you would expect, but the pickleswere of another world altogether, theonion dish was fresh and crisp and theyoghurt sang with the taste of just-chopped coriander.Leaving ourselves at the whim of thekitchen, we elected to be shown the bestof what The Mint Leaf had to offer andwere left suitably impressed. A Mint Leafplatter for a starter was a succulentsharing dish, with maas malai (curriedsalmon), lamb chops, hara murgh tikka(chicken) and Delhi chicken drumsticks.The flavours on offer here were alreadyimpressive, but coupled with a beautifulsalad it was one starter we’d order again.A pan-fried sea bass andchicken shashlik kebab wereunveiled as mains. The sea basswas prepared with mustard seedsand masala paste, but retained afresh, seafood taste. It’s notabout the heat at the Mint Leaf, you’remore likely to comment on flavour andthe aroma than how much eachmouthful is hotting you up. The chickenwas moist and succulent and chimedwell with the juicy tomatoes and largeslices of onion that come as part of thekebab. The side dishes provided alsodeserve a mention. A Brinjhal Bhaji,which is a sliced aubergine dish thattastes smoky as well as curried and isincredibly tempting and a Sag Paneer,which is a rich cheese and spinach dishthat goes well with a main dish and wasalso one we found difficult just to have asmall portion of.The atmosphere is somethingyou’ll enjoy at the Mint Leaf too, themusic playing in particular iscontemporary rather than traditional, soyou’ll get a flavour of modern Asia as wellas great food.Our hosts finished the meal with afantastic trio of Gulab Jamun with awhisp of ice cream. Gulab Jamun is afamous pan-Asian dessert not unlike adumpling, but prepared with milk curdsand flour. The Mint Leaf serve thosesoaked in honey too for that extra sweettaste. Only small, but packing enoughflavour to be enough, it was a fantasticway to finish the meal and somethingwe’d not tried before.The Mint Leaf is on Lincoln Road (A46), Newark, NG24 2NY. To find out more or to book a table, call01636 646994 or log onto www.mintleafuk.co.ukThe Mint Leaf,NewarkNestled just off the A46, our visit to the Mint Leaf was one that we wouldrepeat in a heartbeat. Billed as serving cuisines from the Indian Subcontinentwith style and panache, that’s exactly what you’ll find inside.Deliciously Deliciously LincolnshireGoldAwarded for outstanding quality and service byLincolnshireTodayawardWWW.LINCOLNSHIRETODAY.NET058-059:Layout 1 13/9/13 14:03 Page 2Next >