Blair Drummond Smiddy Farm Shop (Stirling) 2023 : Review

Visit & Vibes

I fancied a wee drive and this was the first place that came to mind, I wanted to see if they had gotten any new goodies inside for sale…plus to try something else on their menu.

Décor★★★★★
Noise Level★★★★★
Restaurant Temperature★★★★
Table Dressing★★★★
Restaurant Cleanliness★★★★★
Disabled ToiletsYes

The Food

Smiddy Burger & Chips £13.95
Two delicious mince beef patties, topped with Applewood smoked cheddar, bacon, tomato, gherkin, and Smiddy relish. Served on a toasted brioche bun with a salad garnish and chips.

First and foremost, the portion size of the meal was more than generous; it was downright impressive. My lunchtime journey began with the accompanying chips, and I was delighted to discover that they were cooked to perfection. What’s more, they were seasoned just right, requiring no additional salt to enhance their flavour.

With a hearty appetite, I took my first two substantial bites of the burger, and I was immediately struck by the harmonious blend of flavours. The rich relish, the smoky cheddar cheese, the crispy bacon, and, of course, the succulent beef patties all worked in perfect synergy to create a taste sensation that left me craving more.

Despite the substantial meal I had enjoyed, I didn’t feel uncomfortably stuffed or ready to burst. Instead, I experienced a satisfying fullness that left me content and thoroughly pleased with my dining choice.

In hindsight, I was genuinely delighted to have tried this culinary masterpiece. It stands as a testament to the establishment’s commitment to delivering not only quantity but also quality.

For anyone seeking a memorable dining experience, I wholeheartedly recommend giving this remarkable burger a try – it’s a delectable dish that won’t disappoint.

Dish Flavour★★★★
Appearance★★★★★
Serving Size★★★★★
Aroma★★★★★
Value for Money★★★★★
MY RATING:★★★★★

Final Thoughts…

I can’t wait to go back and check out some more products, and also some more dishes and cakes.

Have you been here? what did you buy or eat let me know in the comments.

Service / Staff★★★★★
Ambience★★★★★
Time between Courses★★★★★
Overall Value for Money★★★★★
MY OVERALL RATING★★★★★
The above blog post review is 100% honest and has not been influenced in anyway. Its a true representation of my visit, and my thoughts.

SugarFall Patisserie (West End, Glasgow) 2023 : Review

Visit & Vibes

Sugarfall Patisserie in Glasgow’s West End is a true hidden gem, and I had the pleasure of celebrating their fourth birthday recently. The friendly folks at Sugarfall reached out to invite me to their birthday bash, and I couldn’t resist the temptation of sampling their delectable treats and enjoying some fizz.

When I walked into Sugarfall, I was immediately blown away by the visual presentation of their cakes.

They were a feast for the eyes, and I could have easily spent the entire day just ogling at them.

They also had some larger cakes for sale and these looked just as tasty as everything else.

On the left-hand side, they had these adorable little samples of their cakes, and of course, I had to try a few.

Each one was perfectly baked and incredibly moreish.

Now, I must confess I couldn’t try any of the the fizz as I was the designated driver, but from the looks of it, everyone else was thoroughly enjoying it. And the rest of the sweet treats – the macaroons and more – all looked equally stunning. The presentation at Sugarfall is nothing short of perfection – a solid 100% in my book.

I also had the pleasure of chatting with the owner, who is an absolute delight. It’s heartwarming to see that Sugarfall Patisserie has weathered the storm of COVID and the challenges faced by businesses in the West End. It’s a testament to their dedication and the quality of their offerings.

The Sweet Treats

While I was here I couldn’t leave without purchasing a few cakes to take home, and this is what I got.

Cheesecake (Gluten Free)
Silky smooth Belgian white chocolate with fresh fruit and a crumbly cookie base

I recently had the pleasure of indulging in a slice of cheesecake that left me absolutely delighted. It was a pleasant surprise when I realized, after getting home and reviewing my photos, that the description mentioned it was made with smooth Belgian white chocolate.

As I took my first bite, I was met with an explosion of flavours that danced on my taste buds. The combination of the sweet, creamy white chocolate and the tartness of the fresh strawberries was a match made in dessert heaven. The cheesecake’s cookie base added a delightful crunch that complemented the silky filling perfectly.

I found myself yearning for another slice as I savoured every bite. The cheesecake was the ideal treat for my insatiable sweet tooth. It had an irresistible quality that left me craving more – a truly Moorish delight.

If you’re a fan of cheesecake and want to experience a delightful twist on a classic, I highly recommend trying this Belgian white chocolate cheesecake. You may even find yourself wishing you had bought two slices, just like I did.

Dish Flavour★★★★★
Appearance★★★★★
Serving Size★★★★★
Aroma★★★★★
Value for Money★★★★
MY RATING:★★★★★

Banoffee £7.8 Fresh bananas, caramel vanilla mascarpone cream

My recent dessert adventure led me to try something a bit different from my usual choices: a banoffee treat. While I’ve sampled my fair share of banoffee creations in the past, I couldn’t resist the temptation this time, especially since it looked so enticing.

With anticipation building, I took my first bite, and it was an explosion of deliciousness. The flavours were simply extraordinary. The rich combination of banana and caramel, adorned with luscious mascarpone cream, was a masterpiece of balance. Each component contributed its unique character without overpowering the others, creating a harmonious symphony of taste.

The mascarpone cream, in particular, elevated the entire experience, adding a creamy, slightly tangy note that complemented the sweetness of the banana and caramel impeccably. It was a true delight for the taste buds.

In the end, I couldn’t help but savour every bite of this exceptional banoffee creation. It was a delightful departure from the ordinary, and its impeccable balance and outstanding flavours left me utterly satisfied. If you’re a Banoffee fan, this dessert is an absolute must-try. It’s a testament to the magic that can happen when flavours come together in perfect harmony.

Dish Flavour★★★★★
Appearance★★★★★
Serving Size★★★★★
Aroma★★★★★
Value for Money★★★★
MY RATING:★★★★★

Popcorn £7.5 caramel mousse with caramel and pecan insert

In my recent culinary exploration, I decided to go a bit random and selected the popcorn dessert from the menu. Being a fan of both popcorn and caramel mousse, I thought it could be a winning combination.

Upon the first spoonful, I was met with flavours that were indeed quite good. The marriage of popcorn and caramel mousse was a sweet and salty symphony that had the potential to be a true standout. However, while enjoyable, it didn’t quite claim the title of my personal favourite dessert. In my book, cheesecake still held that honour.

That said, it’s important to note that taste is subjective, and for those who are avid popcorn and caramel mousse enthusiasts, this dessert might be their ultimate indulgence. The flavours were undeniably delightful, and I can see how this combination would be a crowd-pleaser for those with a sweet tooth and a penchant for the rich, buttery notes of caramel and the crunch of popcorn.

In the end, while it may not have been my top pick, I believe this dessert has the potential to be a real winner for anyone who shares a passion for popcorn and caramel mousse.

Dish Flavour★★★★★
Appearance★★★★★
Serving Size★★★★★
Aroma★★★★★
Value for Money★★★★
MY RATING:★★★★★

Final Thoughts…

Overall all three cakes were visually stunning, tasted amazing and were very moreish!

Next time I pass I will try another few cakes, so keep watching for what I get and my thoughts.

Service / Staff★★★★★
Ambience★★★★★
Overall Value for Money★★★★★
MY OVERALL RATING★★★★
It’s important to note that all the views and opinions expressed in my blog posts and vlogs are entirely personal, have not been influenced in any way and reflect my individual perspective. I value authenticity and honesty above all, and my content is a genuine reflection of my thoughts and experiences.

Piada (Glasgow) 2023 : Review

About Piada

We have been working on perfecting our dough for almost a year now and would love for more people to know about us. A little bit about the concept below:

Piadinas are typical from the region of Emilia Romagna on the northeast coast of Italy. I personally grew up in Northern Italy in a small town called Voghera, but I learned to make piadinas by hand when I lived in Riccione (a long time ago now 😌)

We use a simple recipe and make the dough daily using extra virgin olive oil so it’s always light and vegan-friendly. The fillings are mostly traditional, but we have introduced a few special ones like the Weegie (with chicken), and some of the vegan ones are combinations that I created.

Visit & Vibes

I had the pleasure of being invited to Piada in Glasgow recently, and from the moment I arrived, it was evident that I was in for a lovely lunch experience.

The interior exudes charm, boasting a delightful blend of modernity, brightness, and impeccable cleanliness. As luck would have it, the day was bathed in nice sunshine, prompting me to choose a window seat where I could relish my meal while indulging in some people-watching.

Piada’s ambience not only set the stage for a delightful dining experience but also allowed me to savour my lunch while basking in the warm glow of the sun.

Décor★★★★★
Noise Level★★★★★
Restaurant Temperature★★★★★
Table Dressing★★★
Cleanliness★★★★★

The Food

La Romagna (n/a today normally £8.90)
Italian sausage, potatoes, smoked scamorza & truffle mayo

As I perused the enticing menu, it quickly became apparent that choosing just one dish would be my mission for this lunchtime adventure. Amidst a tempting array of options, my culinary compass led me to the La Romagna, an enchanting creation adorned with Italian sausage, perfectly roasted potatoes, and a generous drizzle of truffle-infused mayonnaise. The mere mention of truffle mayonnaise and Italian sausage had already set my taste buds aflutter with anticipation.

When the plate arrived at my table, it was a visual delight, and I couldn’t wait to dig right in.

What followed was nothing short of a mega tasty lunchtime dish. You could taste each ingredient individually and they all combined very very well creating a very tasty and morish bite.

The dish’s sheer deliciousness made it disappear from my plate with remarkable ease. For anyone who revels in the allure of Italian sausage, I wholeheartedly recommend this masterpiece.

La Romagna is one that you won’t want to miss.

Dish Flavour★★★★★
Appearance★★★★★
Serving Size★★★★★
Aroma★★★★★
Value for Money★★★★★
MY RATING:★★★★★

Final Thoughts…

Firstly a big thanks to the guys at Piada for my lunch invite, and today’s Piada.

This was a very tasty and filling dish, and if you are in the area do check them out and let me know what you got and your thoughts.

Service / Staff★★★★★
Ambience★★★★★
Overall Value for Money★★★★★
MY OVERALL RATING★★★★★
It’s important to note that all the views and opinions expressed in my blog posts and vlogs are entirely personal, have not been influenced in any way and reflect my individual perspective. I value authenticity and honesty above all, and my content is a genuine reflection of my thoughts and experiences.
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