< Previous70 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYFOOD & DINING - DINING AWARDSThe WhiteHart, LincolnWe’ve long been fans of the White Hart, often droppingin to sample their incredible cocktail bar but with a newmenu it was time to try their restaurant, named grille.Of course we weren’t disappointed. With a dining room thatmatches the new sleekly styled suites and rooms the hotel has recentlyrefurbished, it’s re-affirming its dominance as one of Bailgate’s, if notthe city’s, best places to be.Standing in the shadow of Lincoln Cathedral, at certain angles youcan see the iconic towers through a skylight window while you dine,giving you a unique aspect of one of the city’s true gems.The surroundings are modern but welcoming and as we deliberatedover the menu, the staff couldn’t have been more helpful. We quicklydecided on starters of grilled goat’s cheese tart with Mediterraneanvegetables, a basil pesto and rocket salad and a crab cocktail, servedwith Marie Rose sauce, avocado and lime. The crab was delicious, thecreamy and indulgent Marie Rose sauce was set off wonderfully by thesharp and tangy lime and the accompanying leaves made the texturepleasant too. The goat’s cheese tart was an singularly individual affair,appearing more as a blini than a tart, with the elements stacked in anappealing pile. It was fantastic, just the right amount of melt in thecheese and the vegetables sitting wonderfully charred on top of acrispy disc of pastry.Turning to the main courses, we had plenty of choice, the regularmenu having at least a dozen options with daily specials on offer too.We selected a vegetarian option of mushroom and stilton wellington,which came wrapped in a gorgeously crispy filo parcel and was abrilliantly indulgent treat. It came with a creamy asparagus saucewhich was a delicate accompaniment to the rich and heady wellingtoncontents. My dining partner opted for a grilled fillet of turbot, notsomething you see on every menu. It’s thick and meaty texture wasperfectly complemented by buttered samphire, mussels and prawnswith some fresh and tasty new potatoes.Desserts are a speciality at the hotel and we urge you to give them ago, even it’s just to share at the end of a large meal. The rhubarbbrulee came with honeycomb flakes and rhubarb crisp and camepresented in a cocktail glass, a departure from the traditional but onethat was welcome. The blood orange tart with candiedorange and chocolate ice cream was also unusual butincredibly satisfying. The texture not unlike a cheesecake,the sweet tang of the orange went perfectly with theluxuriant ice cream to create a memorable dish.The White Hart is on Bailgate, Lincoln, LN1 3AR.To find out more, arrange a stay or to book atable call 01522 526222 or log on towww.whitehart-lincoln.co.uk Deliciously Deliciously LincolnshirePlatinumAwarded for outstanding quality and service byLincolnshireTodayawardWWW.LINCOLNSHIRETODAY.NET070-071:Layout 1 13/9/13 13:58 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY71FOOD & DINING - DINING AWARDSBe treatedlike royalty!Cave Castle Hotel and Country Club is packed with history andcharm and a host of special events over the next few months areinfused with opulence and luxury.Nestled just a short way from the Humber Bridge in the idyllic village of South Cave, andsurrounded by 150 acres of beautiful grounds, Cave Castle will take your breath away themoment you arrive. Its tree-lined driveway gives way to a lake and the sight of the originalturrets and stone walls will certainly wow those who have never previously visited. Watch out toofor the statues and carvings of brown bears which stand dotted around the hotel.Cave Castle’s luxurious surroundings are doubtless a great place to celebrate Christmas in thetraditional style. A number of Party Nights take place at the venue in the run-up to the big day,with prices from £19.95 per person, and those who attend can also take advantage of room onlyaccommodation from just £49.One of the most exciting events is the Christmas Murder Mystery on Thursday 12th December.Conrad and Clara Christmas are hosting a party to celebrate the festive season, and although theyalways throw the best in town there are always some unplanned surprises. Among their guests issomeone who does not wish them well, so why not find out for yourselves just what is going onand who that someone is. It’s a Christmas party with a difference, at £32 per person – and whynot stay over for only £135 for two in a double or twin room? Whenever you attend you can take advantage of the hotel’s restaurant where you can poreover both A La Carte and Table D’Hote menus, filled to the brim with tempting dishes,combining traditional fare with a contemporary approach.Famous for its banqueting offering, it’s no surprise to find Cave Castle is a popular weddingvenue and conferencing centre too. There’s also a health club on site, so if you’re looking fora special present, why not opt for gift vouchers to pamper a friend – or spoil yourself! Youcan enjoy three treatments at The Castle Spa before evening dinner in The WindsorRestaurant, an overnight stay and breakfast for only £115 per person Monday toThursday, and two treatments plus dinner, bed and breakfast for £130 Friday to Sunday.Whether you want to relax or indulge, Cave Castle and its beautiful surroundingsare well worth a visit. Cave Castle is on Church Hill, South Cave, Brough, East Yorkshire. To make a booking or for moreinformation, call 08446 862237 or visit www.cavecastlehotel.com.Deliciously Deliciously LincolnshirePlatinumAwarded for outstanding quality and service byLincolnshireTodayawardWWW.LINCOLNSHIRETODAY.NET070-071:Layout 1 13/9/13 13:58 Page 2Over the last few pages we’ve highlightedmany of the county’s top eating places, but bymaking good use of local produce you can alsoenjoy fine dining in your own home. If you’reafter a special occasion to justify dusting offyour apron, this month Breakthrough BreastCancer is recruiting an army of bakers to fire uptheir ovens, hit the kitchen and give breastcancer a good beating in the first ever GreatPink Bake Off.Everyone knows baking is big news at themoment and if you’ve been suitably inspired bywhat you’ve seen on TV recently, this is theperfect chance to put your newly acquiredknowledge to the test. On Friday 18th OctoberRaise somedough andhelp beatBreastCancer!The first Great Pink Bake Off is agreat way to have fun and raisemoney72 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYFOOD & DINING072-073:Layout 1 13/9/13 14:14 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY73FOOD & DININGyou’re invited to gather your friends,family and colleagues to bring their bakedgoodies and ask everyone who attends tomake a donation. If that date doesn’twork for you then you could hold a BakeOff anytime, anywhere, during BreastCancer Awareness Month. It’s a piece ofcake!Sian Fraser, Head Baker forBreakthrough Breast Cancer’s Great PinkBake Off, says, “We hope everyone getsinvolved with this year’s Great Pink BakeOff. Not only will you have a delicioustime, you’ll also be raising vital money forBreakthrough Breast Cancer’s life-savingwork. The need for Breakthrough’sresearch has never been greater – breastcancer is still the most commonlydiagnosed cancer in the UK, affecting fiftythousand women every year and killing athousand every month. So we are urgingeveryone to raise some dough and helpus beat breast cancer.”Breakthrough Breast Cancer is the UK’sleading breast cancer charity dedicated tosaving lives through improving earlydiagnosis, developing new treatments andpreventing all types of the disease.Baking expert Jane Asher is ambassadorfor the Great Pink Bake Off, and says,“Everybody knows someone affected bybreast cancer – so I’m urging everyone tojoin the Great Pink Bake Off and getbaking to help support this fantasticorganisation. Simply ask your friends andfamily to bring their homemade treats,make a donation and decide whose bakeis best.“As well as having lots of fun, it’ll besatisfying to know that all the moneyyou raise will go towards BreakthroughBreast Cancer’s vital work. Do join me -sign up today and help us save lives.Visit pinkbakeoff.org or call 08080 100200.”072-073:Layout 1 13/9/13 14:14 Page 274 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYFOOD & DININGGeorge Reed is a third-generationgrower out at Wrangle near Boston. Hisfarm, known as Staples, grows a wholerange of brassicas and he supplies a lot ofthe country’s supermarkets with aconstant supply of fresh vegetables. Thatpacket of tenderstem you just put in yourshopping basket may well have comefrom close by and we join George in thefield to find out how the tenderstem getsfrom the field to your fork in just twodays or less.“The farm has been here fifty or sixtyyears,” says George, “The packing plantwe have here has been here just fifteen,but we’re building more because thedemand is so high.”It’s easy to see why. The fields areimmaculately weed-free thanks to thetechnology George uses and this landclose to the coast is rich in nutrients andis perfect for growing these tough, fast-growing plants. Tenderstem became popular aroundfive years ago thanks to its slightly sweettaste, but is hard to harvest. Due to themanagement and gestation of the crop,it commands a slightly higher price thanpurple sprouting broccoli but has seensurges in uptake thanks to its summeryfeel.Out in the field, gangs of workers maketheir way slowly but steadily across acresof land, picking tenderstem head by headand making sure that the best productends up being packaged. A conveyermoves slowly, feeding the freshly-snapped heads and stems up to aprocessing unit within a trailer where asmall team loads trays and wraps theproduct there and then. This isfascinating - the products are only out ofthe ground for around a few minutesbefore being wrapped and made shelf-ready in plastic. The only additionalpackaging required is the label, whichCelebratingLOCAL PRODUCELincolnshire is sometimes referred to as the country’s larder and it’seasy to see why when you drive out to the east coast. We spend anafternoon in Wrangle, Boston with a grower of tenderstem.074-075:Layout 1 13/9/13 14:20 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY75FOOD & DININGhappens back at the packing plant atthe central farm. The products are thenblast-chilled before being qualitychecked and then delivered in chilledtransport to supermarkets nationwide.The time between being picked andending up on the shelf is, at most, twodays. As George explains, the longer itstays on the farm, the shorter the shelflife.Next time you bite into a broccoli ortenderstem, just think about how freshit really is. It really can be a matter ofhours, how impressive is that?The timebetween beingpicked andending up on theshelf is at most,two daysPictureYour VenueExotic Thai Restaurant205 High Street, ScunthorpeTel: 01724 843204Exotic Thai Restaurant is a testament to traditional Thaicuisine. The only Thai restaurant in Scunthorpe, Exotic Thaican accommodate up to seventy guests for a delicious choiceof authentic starters, main courses and an impressiveselection of fish dishes along with a choice of tasty desserts.The Exotic Thai prides itself on authentic Thai cuisine with friendly service, giving a truetaste of the east.The China RoyalRestaurant6 Bridge Street, Brigg DN20 8LNTel: 01652 650688 (reservations)/654762 (takeaway)Email: info@chinaroyal.co.uk www.chinaroyal.co.ukThe intimate, warm surroundings of the China Royal are idealfor the most romantic dinner or the largest banquet. Serving the best in Chinese cuisine, it hasfive star scores on the doors, and was named Oriental Restaurant of the Year 2009, 2010 and2011. Now taking Christmas and new year bookings.The Duke of WellingtonStation Road, Midville Tel: 01205 270593www.dukeofwellingtonmidville.co.ukAt The Duke of Wellington, the aim is to make youwelcome and deliver the very best in food and drink thatwill keep you coming back time and again. The Duke ofWellington is a much loved part of the local communitythat extends a welcome to locals and visitors alike.On offer is great food, drink and warm hospitality.The Waggon and HorsesSouth Reston, Louth Tel: 01507 450364www.waggonandhorsesreston.co.ukFor over 130 years, the Waggon and Horses at SouthReston, between Mablethorpe and Louth on the A157, hasalways been a traditional Lincolnshire country pub.It prides itself on sourcing locally grown produce and hasalso been awarded an excellent rating for food hygiene. Whether for business or pleasure, atrip to the Waggon and Horses is not to be ignored.Valerie’s Italian24 Kingsway, Cleethorpes Tel: 01472 235556www.valeriesitalian.co.ukThe award-winning Valerie’s is passionate about serviceand the quality of its food, using only the best authenticproduce. It is their aim to make your visit a happyexperience where excellent value is always guaranteed.It’s a great venue to celebrate in a relaxed and friendlyatmosphere, specialising in top class Italian food. To find out about the latest menu, visitwww.valeriesitalian.co.uk or give them a call.Burton Road ChippyBurton Road, Lincoln Tel: 01522 575207www.burtonroadchippy.co.ukBurton Road Chippy serves award winning fish andchips in their takeaway and sixty seat, licenced, airconditioned restaurant. They only use sustainablysourced fish and Lincolnshire Maris Piper potatoes and have a food hygiene rating of 5.Burton Road Chippy is open Tuesday to Thursday 11.30am to 2pm and 4.30pm to 9.30pm,and all day Friday and Saturday 11.30am to 9.30pm.Choc-o-LatteSt Peter’s Avenue, CleethorpesTel: 01472 690004Choc-o-Latte serves freshly ground coffee, speciality teas, hot andcold drinks, breakfasts, freshly made sandwiches, baguettes, paninis,toasties, salads, jacket potatoes and much more – check out theSpecials Board.There’s also a large selection of cakes, fresh cream scones andafternoon teas, while they also stock Dannets Ice Cream and Katie’sCup Cakes. Eat in or take out.074-075:Layout 1 13/9/13 14:20 Page 276 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYCHRISTMASEnjoy a Very festive Christmas with Trinity Arts CentreTuesday 3rd to Saturday 7th December - 7.30pmSaturday 7th December - 2.30pmTickets are priced at £10 & £8 (£32 for a family of four)Saturday 14th & Sunday 15th December - 11.30am & 2.30pmTickets are priced at £6.50 each (£22 for a family of four)Perfomances for schools take place on the Monday 16th & Tuesday 17th DecemberTo book call the Box Office on 01427 676655orvisit www.trinityarts.co.uk23RD & 24TH NOVEMBERADVANCED TICKETS £4 WWW.LINCOLNSHIRESHOWGROUND.CO.UKFOODGIFTSCOOKING DEMOSWORKSHOPS TICKET LINE 08452 305 171076-078:Layout 1 13/9/13 14:09 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY77CHRISTMASIf not, why not? If you’re one of thoseannoyingly organised types that gets alltheir family’s presents sorted in theJanuary sales then this won’t apply, butwe’d recommend planning yourpurchases now. Before you know it, thestreets and shops will be chock-a-blockwith frustrated Christmas shoppers. Itmight only be October, but it’s high timeto get some early purchases in. The great thing about our county isthere’s hundreds of places you can pickup unique and exciting gifts and delvinga little deeper than the high street chainsis always a good idea. With the amountof independent traders in Lincolnshire, itwould be foolish not to at least try andfind something new. Those must-havegifts, especially for children will always bepopular, but to find something that reallystands out and will be remembered forlonger is worth the effort.78 That timeof yearWe’d alsorecommend seekingout Christmas marketswhen they appear. Thisyear’s Lincoln ChristmasMarket takes place on5th to 8thDecemberThe nights are drawing inwhich means Christmas isfast approaching. Are youthinking about it as muchas we are?PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/LENETSTAN076-078:Layout 1 13/9/13 14:09 Page 278 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYCHRISTMASBy starting early you can then enjoythe Christmas markets when they doappear. This year’s Lincoln ChristmasMarket for instance takes place on 5th to8th December and will see slight changesto the arrangements from last year. Thecontroversial one way system which sawseveral businesses complaining of lack ofcustomers has, says the council, beenaddressed. As John Latham, Director ofDevelopment and EnvironmentalServices at the city council, explains,“We have taken on board visitor andtraders’ comments and this year we willnot be operating the system. However,we will keep it in reserve to ensure wehave appropriate safety mechanisms inplace if we become uncomfortablybusy.”(Ed: Well, not exactly what traders wouldlike to hear John - rather like one the thosepolitician’s statements, loaded with caveats.But fingers crossed for a positive outcome!)“Our aim is to create a more relaxedand festive market and we plan to reducethe amount of signage which drawspeople’s attentionaway from thebeautiful, historicbuildings in ourcity.”This year’sChristmas Marketwill feature a wholehost of attractions andstalls, including more localtraders than in previous years, whichis great news for the city.Those who prefer a distinctly moretasty or craft-driven experience can alsofind some pre-festive season treats atthe Lincolnshire Food and Gift Fair,which takes place at the LincolnshireShowground on 23rd and 24thNovember. Promising local foodproducers, craft specialists and cookerydemonstrations it could be the perfectplace to pick up some bargains or getsome ideas for your festive foodplanning. Cooking demonstrations fromthe likes of Dominic Franks and AmyCalrige and bread-making tips fromPete Welbourne mean you won’t beshort of ideas.We’d love to hear from readers whohave managed to do an all-localChristmas, by only sourcing ingredients,gifts and all that are needed for thefestive season from the area. Is itpossible? We’d like to think so, the sheeramount of choice and the size of thecounty should be enough for anyone. Infact, this gives us a brainwave for apossible Christmas article…In the meantime and as we all get usedto the autumnal weather, happyshopping (if you feel suitably motivatedto begin this early!)PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/KZENON076-078:Layout 1 13/9/13 14:09 Page 31stissues only £1Great reasonsto subscribe...Each issue is brimming with a diverse topic range...• Heritage • Fashion • Hair & Beauty • Leisure • Homes & Gardens • County Motoring • Dining Out • What’s On • Free Reader Giveaways and much much more…First 3 issues only £1!FREE delivery to your doorReceive your copy before it hits the shopsORDER FORMYes, I would like to subscribe to Lincolnshire Today magazinefor the next 12 months, with the first 3 issues only being £1.Personal Details:First name:Last Name:Address:Town:County: Post Code:Tel: Mobile:Email:Payment by DEBIT/CREDIT cardName as it appears on card:Type of card: Mastercard / Visa / Visa Debit / OtherCard Number:Card Verification number (3 digits on signature strip):Expiry Date:Amount Authorised:Cheque enclosed YES / NO Please post this form back to: Subscriptions,Lincolnshire Today Magazine, Armstrong House, Armstrong Street, Grimsby. 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