The top 5 attractions to visit in Bratislava

Bratislava Castle
Located up high on top of a hill, the castle is stunning. One of the prettiest ones I've been too. More like a chateau-style building, it dominates the city's skyline. We didn't pay to go in but we had a lovely time wandering around the grounds. Restored in 1957, it overlooks the Danube river. It's such an imposing building that you can see it holding fort from almost all over the city and makes a great landmark to get to know your bearings.

UFO tower
Officially known as the Most SNP bridge but commonly known as the UFO bridge, it links the old town to the new town. Constructed in 1972, there's a restaurant up the top of the observation tower but we just went to the bar for a drink. I've heard it's extremely expensive - very well true judging by the bill for four g+ts... It's about 6 euros to get the lift to the top and you're greeted with beautiful views over the whole city. It's well worth a trip to get a feel of old and new Bratislava.

Old Square
Like many Eastern European cities I've been there, there is a picturesque old square in the middle of the ole town. A little market holds fort in the middle surrounded by pretty colourful old buildings and hustle and bustle. It's a great place to sit outside with a drink and watch the world go by. I noticed that Bratislava has a fantastic cafe culture so definitely take advantage of this.

Blue Church
When I stumbled across this down a side street in the middle of a housing estate, I was literally blown away. The vibrant shades of blue and white looked stunning basking in the sunshine. Unable to go in, we wandered around the outside in awe. It's one of the most beautiful buildings I have seen in real life.

Slavin war memorial and crematory
Make sure you pack comfortable shoes for this hike! Perched high up on top of a enormous hill, this statue is again something that can be seen from all over the city. It was built as a memorial and crematory for the fallen Russian soldiers who liberated the city from the Nazis in WWII. Once you finally make it to the top, you'll be rewarded with incredible views. Take a seat and marvel at the city below you.

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What I've been cooking #1 - Mary Berry Absolute Favourites

As I mentioned in this post, I've been making a conscious effort to use my cookbooks and where better to document my progress than here! This time I worked my way through Mary Berry's Absolute Favourites. I'm a massive fan of Mary's bakes but I'd never tried her cooking recipe - turns out they're just as good! Full of hearty, traditional classics, the cookbook is perfect to run to when you have guests who aren't really to experimental - parents! Each dish was so simple to make and the instructions were easy to follow. Nothing was too overwhelming to try. There's still so many recipes I want to try.  I wouldn't necessarily say they were mid-week dishes because they're not quick but I'm sure over time you can speed them up again. So, what did I end up making?

Cottage pie with crush potato topping
A classic in my family, cottage pie is always a crowd pleaser. But this time Mary added crushed potatoes instead of mash which made a welcome changed to a traditional British meal. I didn't follow the recipe exactly as I cooked my mince meat first in a pan with all the ingredients before popping it in the oven with the topping. The recipe says to cook it in the oven for 90 minutes but I've just never made it like it. It still came out perfectly tender the way I did it. The red wine gave the meat such a wonderful, addictive flavour. Served with steamed veg and cabbage, it was a great winter warmer when the cold weather hit. I'll definitely be pulling this one out the bag again over the next few months.

Sticky chicken
Out of everything I cooked, this was my least favourite. But it went down well with everyone else! I should have left the sticky sauce to caramelise for longer so it wasn't as runny but I was too scared about burning the pan. I paired it with rocket drizzled in olive oil and a bowl of potato wedges because what's a dinner without any carbs? I don't think I'd make this again.

Meatballs in tomato and basil sauce
I'm still dreaming about this sauce. So simple yet so blooming delicious. I'd make the sauce on its own and keep it in the fridge for other dishes. Admittedly this was a major faff as I attempted it on a Monday night after I got home from work late and we didn't eat until after 9pm. So don't attempt it on a week night. But once I bit into that first meatball, it was well worth the effort. The meatballs wasn't the most flavoursome I've had but it was all about that sauce. So skip the meatballs and just cook ALL the sauce.

Roasted sausage and potato supper
My household is a massive fan of sausages so I knew this was going to be a winner before I event tried the recipe. The recipe only called for peppers and onions but it didn't seem enough for me so I pumped for a whole host of different things to help make it more substantial. Aubergines, courgette and tomatoes all made the cut. The great thing about this is when you've chopped everything up, you literally leave it in the oven and forget about it. It only takes about 30 minutes to cook. Definitely one to add to my list of things to make again!

Pork stroganoff
Not the most photogenic of dishes but one of my favourites. I have such a soft spot for stroganoff, it's always so simple to make and tastes great too. This recipe was no different. I loved the addition of paprika - although I would personally have added more. Next time I'm going to serve this alongside mash for the ultimate comfort meal.

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Restaurant review: Market Porter Supper Club

Something a little different for a restaurant review today. Market Porter is an amazing online supermarket who specialise in artisan cheese, meat, chocolate and charcuterie from British producers. You'll know exactly where your food comes from and enjoy treats from small-scale produces. The older I'm getting and the more I'm reading, I'm starting to really care about where my food comes from and how it's made. I'm not perfect but I'm trying. Slowly but surely right?

Last week Market Porter took over a The Table in Southwark to put on a two day supper club showcasing their incredible produce in a seven course menu thought up by Young British Foodie's 2015 chef of the Year Adam Rawson. What a way to get to spend a Thursday eh?

Starting with a Japanese gin and tonic, we eagerly awaited the first course. Soft Highland Brie with crunchy oats and smoked russet apple topped with a leaf of nasturtium. The oozing cheese was so rich and paired perfectly with the flavours of the apple to help take it down a notch. Officially established in 1967, the cheesemongers in the Scottish Highlands produce a staggering 150 tonnes of cheese a year. When it tastes as good as this, I can see why they're in demand!

Second was my favourite course. Tender pork cheeks topped with roasted shallots and watercress on a bed of Chevril root - not too dissimilar to celeriac. The meat fell apart as soon as you dug your fork in and just melted in your mouth. It had a similar texture to pulled meat and is something I'd definitely order again if I saw it on the menu. Coming from Lakehaven Farm, they specialise in rare-breed pigs and takes the time help them mature and enjoy their surroundings in the 25-acre space.

Next up was Dorset air dried beef, potato, a sprinkle of rosemary and Enoki mushrooms. Sitting in a rich, salty broth, the little balls were delicious. I loved the hint of rosemary paired with the broth. I wish I didn't have to share them! Capeolus Fine Foods specialises in local bred and reared rare-breeds. The beech wood chips help to add a delicate flavour to the cured meats.

Amazingly I still had room for more so welcomed the next course. Juicy roast chicken on a base of Cornish Blue cheese topped with charred leeks and tempera mini eels. The cheese sauce was so addictive with such a subtle taste. The production of the 'world champion cheese' was first started in 2001 and has been going strong ever since.

When I read gammon, egg and chips on the menu, this was not what I expected to arrive on the table! The salty gammon and sweet pineapple proved to the perfect partners. You really can't go wrong with chips and gravy either! The last of the savoury courses, it was time for the puddings.

A rich chocolate mousse used sea salt chocolate from Edinburgh-based Ocelet Chocolate. The brand won a staggering six medals at the Academy of Chocolate Awards in 2015. Finally, a deconstructed custard cream appeared as the final course. The perfect end to one of my favourite ever blog events. It's made me want to sign up for one of their meat boxes asap. Thanks so much for having me Market Porter!

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3 ways I've been embracing Autumn this year

1. Experimenting in the kitchen
I'm a cookbook addict. At last count I think its at about 60. I have such an obsession with buying them yet very rarely use them, instead using my old faithfuls or drooling over endless food blogs for ideas. But inspired by the Bake Off, I've been eager to get back into the kitchen and start trying my hand at the recipes. Cooking and baking is something that really does help me to chill out and it's one of my favourite things to do on a Sunday. This star baker mug from Debenhams is the perfect thing to help me potter around the kitchen. I've been filling it with fruit tea, hot chocolate and even the odd mug cake. The whole range will also make a great secret Santa christmas present if you're looking for ideas! I've been trying to choose one cookbook at random and cook around 3-4 things to try and get a good feel for it. I'll let you know the results - I've just finished Mary Berry's Absolute Favourites and it was a corker. Each recipe got a massive thumbs up!

2. Spending more time at home
As soon as the colder weather hit, I get the sudden urge to spend more time indoors. Embrace the Hygge if you will. Usually I've got a jam packed diary with work, blog and social but over the last few weeks, I've been making a conscious effort to slow down. And I feel so much better for it. It's so nice to go back to work on a Monday and not feel absolutely exhausted following a jam-packed weekend. Plus who doesn't love snuggling under the covers with Netflix on repeat as the rain beats down on the windows?

3. Having a clear out
Call it the back to school feeling but when the Autumn rolls around, I love nothing more than going through my belongings and having a good clear out. I've started listed some clothes on eBay last week and already sold quite a few things. I'm hoping to put the money towards some house bits and bobs. Hopefully it won't be too long before we take the plunge!

How have you been embracing the colder months?

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OOTD: beige trench coat

Outfit:
Black and white scarf: H&M (similar)
Beige trench coats: ASOS (similar)
Raw hem skinny jeans: New Look
Leather look croc print skaters: Vans via TK Maxx (similar)
Red leather lily cross over bag: Mulberry

Nothing ground breaking but a typical autumn weekend outfit. Put together to combat the brisk weather and for a day spent wandering around my favourite part of London. I'd been after a pair of black skater shoes for a while and stumbled across these Vans in TK Maxx during a lunchtime trip. Reduced to £25, I thought they were an absolute bargain and couldn't leave them behind. The leather look croc detailing helps to make them feel a little bit smarter.

I've been coming to Greenwich since I was a kid and it never gets old. The Cutty Sark, Maritime Museum, Queen's House and the market all hold fond memories. But there's still things I've yet to do. The Meantime Brewery is top of my list! One of my favourite views in London is up high by the Observatory in Greenwich Park. Those stunning views of the city down below get me every time. London is a pretty special place huh?

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Restaurant review: the new Autumn menu at Pizza Express

If you're a regular reader of my blog, you'll already know about my love of Pizza Express. So when an email dropped in my inbox asking me if I wanted to try out the new autumn menu, I obviously said yes! So I invited the best friend and we trotted along to our local branch for an evening of pizza, wine and an almighty catch up putting the world to rights.

Offering a range of drinks, starters, mains and desserts with a bustlingly autumnal feel, it was a hard decision to decide what to try. In the end I opted to start with Risotto Fresco, literally a comforting hug in a bowl. Piled high with fresh peppered salmon, juicy tomato, crunchy red onion and a splash of chilli oil, it was absolutely delicious. I almost wish I had sized up and ordered it for my main but alas I was here to try the pizzas. I drooled over my friend's portion of a creamy mushroom bruschetta with lashings of béchamel sauce and sharp balsamic vinegar.

For our main, curious by the thought of ceaser dressing on a pizza I pumped for the Rustichella Romana. Served on a thin and crispy base, the pizza boasted salty pancetta, creamy mozzarella and roasted tomatoes before being topped with a handful of peppery rocket and shavings of strong hard cheese. I'm a massive fan of rocket on a pizza as I think it helps to add a little freshness. I've had many pizzas in the restaurant over the years but I think this one has to be one of my favourite combinations!

Finally to end the meal we were tempted by the chocolate fondant with a melted rich chocolate middle alongside vanilla gelato and the intense honeycomb cheesecake with a layer on salted caramel on a biscuit base. I'm not usually a chocolate fan but this just popped out to me and I'm so very glad it did. That warm melted chocolate alongside the cold gelato was a match made in heaven.

Once again Pizza Express have pulled out some corkers for their new autumn menu. Everything I tried was delicious and it's so nice to see the menu switched up a bit. If you only have one thing, make sure you go for the risotto. I'm dying to go back and try it again!

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Thoughts on leaving home for the first time

I'm in the process of looking for a house to buy. A house to BUY. God that's a sentence that I never thought I would ever write. It seems like we've been saving for years and while we have been saying we've been saving for years, realistically we probably only put some effort into it at the beginning of this year. Back in January it didn't really seem like a possibility but yet somehow, we've managed to scrape together enough money for a deposit for a house. Thank the lord for those 5% deposits. It all so exciting and after spending ten years with my boyfriend, I'm so ready to move out and make a home together.

But yet as it seems to be getting closer, it's also becoming just a little bit scary. At the grand age of 27 years old, I'm getting ready to leave home for the first time. My safe haven. The place where I can be myself. I never moved away for Uni so I haven't had the experience of living away from home. I've lived in the same house in the same town my whole life. I'm only looking to move out into the same town - it's as close to London as we can afford - so I'm really not venturing that far. But, it will be on my own away from everything I have ever known. I'm a massive homebird and as an only child, I genuinely enjoy my own company and in my house I often get that. It's such a nerve wracking thing to set up home with someone and even when you have ten years behind you, you never really know someone until you live with them. Their little quirks that seem cute at the moment but may grate on you after a few months of living in each others pockets. I'm pretty confident not much will change as thanks to our jobs we rarely spend much time together. But there's always those niggling feelings at the back your mind.

Will my own house ever feel like home? Will I feel comfortable in my own home as I do at my home at moment? Will I always feel like my parents house is 'home'? Will my boyfriend and I be able to live in perfect harmony? What will happened why I get only child syndrome and want to be alone?

I suppose all those questions will never be answered until you finally take the plunge and set up house yourself. One thing I do know is, I'm looking forward to finally leaving my shoes downstairs by the stairs without being told off!

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Restaurant review: The Sail Loft, Greenwich, south London

Last Sunday I ventured down to one of my favourite part of London to try out The Sail Loft, a new Fullers pub that is part of Fuller's Kitchen and prides itself of its food. Situated along the river in Greenwich, it's a short walk from the Cutty Sark DLR station around the back of the Cutty Sark itself. Offering fantastic views of the other side of the river, you can gaze at the impressive Canary Wharf and watch the river come to life.

As soon as walked in, I fell in love the nautical theme. Quirky sailboat ornaments, copper interiors and bundles of rope decorated the pub, making it feel more like a country pub rather than one in a bustling city. I'd already given the interiors a thumbs up but was the food about to hit the spot too?

Yes it did! When I found out the pub boasted the former chef of Duck & Waffle, I knew we were in for a treat. With eyes bigger than our bellies, we scoured the menu and opted for a creamy spiced pumpkin soup and roasted octopus with wedges of onion to start. Just the right start to wet our appetites. The octopus was tender, flavoursome and served alongside a spicy chorizo jam, it had a great kick. I often find octopus can be rubbery and squeaky but this was cooked to perfection. I can vouch for the soup being delicious too, thanks to stealing a mouthful!

As it was Sunday, we decided to pay tribute to our British heritage and opt for a roast dinner. Controversially I'm not too much of a fan of a roast and it's not always my first choice as I can find they can be boring. But I really fancied one this day so took the plunge! Choosing roast chicken, when the plate arrived I actually did a little gasp. Half a roast chicken is actually quite a lot! Paired with glazed root vegetables, a fluffy Yorkshire pudding, crunchy roast potatoes, a bundle of kale and lashings of gravy, it was a joy to eat. The chicken was juicy and tender and the potatoes were exactly how a roast potato should be. Nothing worse than a weak, undercooked roastie!

A delicious cheese board was just the ticket to round off such a great meal. Black bomber cheddar, Ragston soft cheese and Barkham Blue cheese helped to give the board a luxurious feel.

I'd heard good things about The Sail Loft and after visiting myself, I discovered all the praise was well deserved. Sometimes places rely on their good location to draw customers in but this time, the food is just as fabulous as the views. The portions were generous, prices were decent and the food was absolutely delicious. We left with full bellies and big smiles on our faces. Thanks for such a wonderful afternoon Sail Loft!

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Hotel review: Hotel Loft, Bratislava, Slovakia

As I mentioned before, for our trip to Bratislava we got a little bit merry on NYE and decided to throw caution to the wind. I stumbled across Hotel Loft on booking.com and was drawn in by the industrial feel with ultra-modern interiors. The decor felt like it had decor and promoted a homely feel rather than the sterile vibe that hotels sometimes have. After spending two nights in the hotel, I couldn't be happier with our choice.

Located just a ten minute walk from the Old Town, the hotel was in the perfect location. Away from the main hustle and bustle yet close enough to be part of the action. We opted for the premium room which I think it worked out to be only about £25 more than the standard. It was totally worth paying extra. We got to enjoy a free mini bar, incredibly spacious rooms, free wifi and a divine king-sized bed. I adored the industrial vibe of the room with it's brown, neutral tones, making it a joy to come home to each night.

One thing that really caught my attention while researching hotels was the fact the hotel boasted it's very own micro brewery in the grounds. Something we definitely took advantage of while we were there! They offered a more casual pub downstairs with a selection of traditional and European meals. With more than 200 wines on offer as well as their beer Fabrika, you could be in for a long night to try them all! Alternatively, there is a smarter wine bar opposite if you want to be more sophisticated. When the sun is shining they have a great beer garden too! We opted to eat in the beer pub one night and it was really good. Nothing ground-breaking but huge portions of comfort food that was perfect after a long day.

If you ever find yourself in the city of Bratislava, I would wholeheartedly recommend the hotel. It's something a little different from the sterile environments, the staff couldn't be more helpful and it's in a great location. The brewery really gave the hotel something extra special - and I'm not even a beer drinker but I loved it!

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