Fat Frocks: review

Celtic Manor Resort - The Mulberry Bar review

By Gem - 08:00:00

The Celtic Manor is a five star luxury travel destination which is just a short drive from my house. Obama stayed there during the NATO summit hosted in the UK a few years ago (super fancy) and I have visited the resort previously for an afternoon tea and a spa treatment.

Last Thursday I was lucky enough to attend the launch of The Mulberry Bar which is the latest addition to the Celtic Manor Resort in Wales. The Celtic Manor hope the new bar will be an exclusive stop off for a pre-dinner cocktail, the perfect spot for an evening hideaway, or the ideal excuse for a glass of champagne for those staying at the resort.

The bar is hidden away from the main atrium of the hotel and has a plush décor, subtle lighting and comfy corners to settle into and enjoy a tipple or two. When we arrived my friend and I were greeted by friendly and knowledgable staff who proceeded to explain the variety of drinks on offer from Champagne and gin to creative cocktails, made the bar's mixology experts.

The drinks we enjoyed were not your high street pre-mixed affair, these cocktails all had an element of performance and drama.

The first drink we tried was the house special - a Mulberry Spritz. The drink contained vodka infused mulberries, mulberry jam, Blackberry Pimm’s, a hint of elderflower and wine which was added to the mix by being poured through the ice cuvée. This was delicious and light and I could easily have had three.

I loved the spritz but the champagne cocktail, the Candy Floss Royal was equally as tasty. It came served with a fluffy cloud of pink candy floss in a martini glass, which melts when you pour over the dessert wine and champagne mix revealing strawberries underneath. I was worried this drink would be too sweet but it was just right.

One drink I would love to return to try is the Tom Collins which comes served with laughing gas!

I was really impressed with the extensive list of spirits available at the bar including Welsh and Japanese whiskey but as a gin lover the sight of the well stocked gin cart made me very excited indeed. They had a selection of gins from all over the world which included my all time favourite Rock Rose gin from the Scottish highlands.

The staff took the time to explain all the different gins to us and were able to recommend the perfect gin and tonic combinations based on our tastes and I tried the really unique Gabriel Boudier Saffron Gin. This French gin is handcrafted in small batches only being made from the finest botanicals including saffron, one of the most expensive botanicals on the planet. The amber colour of the gin was really eye catching and the main taste was still juniper and I'm glad the saffron was a more subtle taste and scent and wasn't too overbearing. This would be perfect paired with a classic Indian tonic water and orange peel.

I really enjoyed my evening at the new Mulberry Bar and would definitely return for a special occasion. A visit wouldn't be a regular occurrence as these cocktails are certainly not 2 for £10 but I wouldn't mind splashing out and treating myself to delicious drinks, in relaxed surroundings all whilst being accompanied by a pianist that formerly performed at the Dorchester.

*Our drinks were complimentary in return for an honest review. All words and thought are my own.

7 Comments

lifestyle

Celtic Manor Resort Champagne & Beauty Bar #NationalSpaWeek

By Gem - 17:18:00

Our 21st century lives can be hectic and stressful and it seems life rushes by quicker than ever before. We are told to eat wholesome food and exercise to combat stress and fatigue but little treats and time out can also have a big impact on your wellbeing. From the 30th October – 5th November 2017, thousands of spas and salons across the UK are uniting to offer lots of exciting treatments and offers to encourage people to try a spa and enjoy some relaxation.

I was invited to review the brand new Champagne & Beauty Bar at Celtic Manor Resort to get a feel for the #NationalSpaWeek festivities. Celtic Manor is a five star luxury travel destination which is only a five minute drive from my house. I have visited the resort previously for an afternoon tea but I've never really been one to get spa treatment or spend too much time grooming myself.

this is a picture of 100s of bottles of nail polish lined up

this is a picture of a nail technician applying gel polish

this is a picture of a latte at the cleric manor champagne and beauty bar

The beauty bar is the perfect addition to the resort and a pretty spot (love the gold details) to enjoy a little pampering. I was treated to a file and polish using the Jessica nail polish collection. I had gel polish which is hard wearing and is still going strong two weeks later. The selection of colours was a little overwhelming so the lovely therapist chose a cute pink shade for me which is perfect for someone like myself who never gets her nails done and wanted something subtle. My hands were nourished by the oil applied, looked incredibly neat after a file and I had the opportunity to have a natter with my friend who joined me and the team at the Beauty Bar.

It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience but I would love to return on a day when I don't have to go to work so I can sip on some cocktails and bubbly whilst having a treatment. My coffee hit the spot but some champagne would have been even better.

I highly recommend taking some time out during National Spa Week to do something with your friends or family. Put away your mobile phone, back away from the group chat and enjoy some time face to face.

*Thank you to the Celtic Manor for hosting me. My treatments were complimentary, opinion and words about the service provided are my own.

9 Comments

Cardiff

Time to try something new - YO!Sushi Cardiff

By Gem - 08:00:00

this is a picture of sushi katsu curry pork japanese food

Can you believe I've never eaten sushi at a restaurant before? I think I've picked up a pack at M&S for lunch and tried a few bits at an event but I've never been able to try out a variety of dishes so I was really looking forward to my trip to the Cardiff branch of YO!Sushi.

There are loads of choices which suit a well seasoned sushi aficionado or a sushi newbie like myself. If you are a little put off by the idea of raw fish then you can try some tempura, a salad, soup or vegetable roll. If you were like me before my first visit and aren't too sure how it all works in store I can assure you it is super simple. All dishes are freshly prepared and you can see them being made in front of you. If you want a particular dish on the menu but can’t see it on the belt, just press the call button and a member of staff will pop over and take your order. You can help yourself to water from the taps on the tables and green tea comes with unlimited refills.

I sampled some new dishes on the menu but was also able to try some old favourites like the katsu curry. I thought of my meal like Japanese tapas, I got to have a little bit of everything rather than being stuck with only one option and being jealous of what my friends were eating or having regrets about my choices.

this is a photo of katsu curry japanese food

The Clam & Enoki Miso Soup - Shiro miso broth with clams in their shell, enoki mushrooms, wakame, spring onion and shichimi powder was light and refreshing after a heavy katsu dish, perfect for someone with more adventurous tastes.

this is a picture of clam miso soup yo!sushi japanese

Okonomiyaki which is a savoury cabbage filled pancake with loads of toppings and smoked bonito tuna flakes was a highlight for me and under 150 calories. I also loved a slow braised pork belly dish with a sweet sauce and rice called Buta No Kakuni. If you're after something spicy I highly recommend the dynamite rolls, they got their name for a reason!

If you want to try one of the new items on the menu now is a really good time to go because there is a free dish on offer if you spend over £10 (voucher here)

I really enjoyed my first trip to YO!Sushi, if you want to visit you can find your local store here.

*I was a guest at YO!Sushi but all views and words are my own

5 Comments

Burgers

Gourmet Burger Kitchen - Cardiff

By Gem - 20:38:00

Martyn and I have eaten our fair share of burgers since we met. We often opt for a burger when eating out, whether that's grabbing a quick bite to eat or having a date night and have tried pretty much all of the burger offerings in Cardiff at some point.

I've eaten at Gourmet Burger Kitchen in Birmingham a few times previously but I was looking forward to going back and seeing what they offer now, especially since so many big burger chains have opened in Cardiff recently like Shake Shack and Five Guys. How would GBK stack up against its competitors?

Before I delve in to what I thought about my food I'll share the history of the company. Back in 2001, three Kiwi guys set up the first Gourmet Burger Kitchen in Battersea, South London. Now with over 60 restaurants across the UK, GBK still pride themselves on serving up a variety of handcrafted burgers, combining 100% prime beef, hand selected and traditionally reared on independent farms across the South West counties with the freshest ingredients and sauces made from scratch, every day, in each GBK kitchen.

When it came to order Martyn opted for the Old Colonial which is the current 'special'. It is a 30 day dry-aged steak burger with Red Leicester cheese, crispy bacon, pickles, Bangkok slaw and beef ketchup. Martyn said this was right up there with his all time favourite burgers and he would definitely chose this again. Our waitress told us that the burger had proved so popular it is going to be added to the permanent menu when it gets its next seasonal change. The burger was perfectly cooked, (medium), just how Martyn likes it.

I opted for the Bacon Pesterella which is a grilled chicken breast, crispy bacon, mozzarella, rocket pesto, relish, green goddess sauce and salad. This was a great antidote to the smaller patty style burgers I've had from other burger restaurants in Cardiff recently and chicken made a lovely change from beef. I could also convince myself that a grilled chicken burger was a slightly healthier option than some of the others on offer...

Both Martyn and I were stuffed after our burgers and couldn't finish our fries but I made sure I tried some of the perfectly crisp cheese and truffle chips. The garlic mayo dip was freshly prepared on site that day and was a hit with both myself and Martyn. GBK offer lunch time menu with slightly smaller portions which I would definitely opt for next time if I visited early in the day. I have yes bigger than my belly!

Gourmet Burger Kitchen does retain a casual, takeaway vibe and you pay at the counter when you order as you would at any fast food joint but the seating and atmosphere gives it more of a restaurant feel. You aren't surrounded by groups of teenagers throwing fries and they were playing some Northern Soul songs when we arrived so I felt at home.

I had a lovely time at GBK Cardiff Library with Martyn and I'm sure I'll return in the near future.

GBK Cardiff Library

Open Monday - Thursday11:00 - 22:00
Friday - Saturday11:00 - 23:00
Sunday11:00 - 22:00
02920 668 379

*This post was written in collaboration with St David's. The meal was provided for review purposes but all views are my own as always.

5 Comments

gin

#DeliverMyDrinks - Rock Rose Gin

By Gem - 09:00:00

8 Comments

food

Wagamama - Eat Club

By Gem - 20:10:00

9 Comments

beauty

Armani Diamonds - Scent in the City

By Gem - 10:33:00

I've always been fickle when it comes to fragrance. I was a Vera Wang Princess girl in my teens, preferred Vivienne Westwood Naughty Alice at University and now I buy Jean Paul Gaultier Classique and it's always on my Christmas present list. I wear perfume everyday, even a little spritz if I'm not leaving the house but I had never put much thought into why we wear and love fragrance so much. I guess fragrances are a way that we can show off our individuality and personality and our love for wearing fragrances all comes down to the fact that they make us feel happy.

There are certain fragrances I hate, not because of the smell itself - but because of an unpleasant association. It can bring back a memory, or a person from the past who used to wear that certain fragrance. I love Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male because that's what my partner wears and I notice the smell lingering on fabrics when he's not around.

Our perfume preferences vary greatly depending on where we live and what sex we are, Fragrance Direct did some research and here are some surprising facts:

18% of female participants and and 7.9% of men admitted to owning six fragrances or more.

Participants of the survey said they spend between £51 - £100 on fragrances a year.

The most popular scent in the UK voted by female participants in the survey, is Chanel Coco Mademoiselle, with a huge 17% choosing it as their favourite.

The most popular scent amongst male participants was Calvin Klein CK One, with 13% of men said it was their favourite.

5% of men said they spent over £500 making themselves smell nice. That's a lot of bottles of scent!

Armani Diamonds is the most popular scent in Cardiff which is the city I work in. I had never tried this scent before receiving some to review because I'm strictly a Classique girl but I have to admit the women in Cardiff know their stuff. I love the scent, it's much more subtle and refreshing than my normal choice and my partner noticed that I was wearing something different and liked it. It's got some rose, lily of the valley, patchouli and freesia with hints of raspberry and vanilla. The scent lasts all of my working day and it's definitely going to be my day time scent now and I'll reserve Classique for evenings and nights out when I want to make more of a statement. Emporio Armani Diamonds Eau de Parfum Spray 30ml retails for £32.99 at Fragrance Direct (you save about £8 on there).

The top 5 scents from women across the UK & Ireland are:
Dublin - J'Adore, DiorLiverpool - Chanel, Coco Mademoiselle
Newcastle - Gucci, Guilty
Cardiff - Emporio Armani, Diamonds
Birmingham - Calvin Klein, CK One

How do you match up to others in your city? What are your favourite scents?