JUST JULIA TRIES: Mackie's 19.2 (Aberdeen)

Located 19.2 miles from the Westertown home farm where the Mackie family first started making their infamous ice cream 30 years ago lies Mackie's 19.2 - the Scottish ice cream company's first parlour.

Having captured the hearts of the nation with their delicious staple favourites, and some new ones too, it was natural for the ice cream empire to eventually pop-up in the city centre of Aberdeen with their own digs.

A local company, Mackie's has been keen to put its mark firmly on the city and with the new Marischal College development now open to businesses, it was natural for them to find their new home in front of one of Aberdeen's most prestigious buildings, Marischal College.

Meandering down to the other end of town where the ChristmasVillage lies, Calum and myself decided to pay Aberdeen's newest ice cream joint a visit late last Sunday afternoon - because eating ice cream right before dinner is the done thing, right?

It was dark by 4pm, but the parlour was bright which ensured I spotted it from the corner of my eye immediately. It was cosy, with lots of people and plenty of staff on to hand to tend to all.

The ice cream parlour is well-decorated. It's sophisticated, but at the same time, the ripple of multi coloured lighting which changes colour frequently, partnered with the giant neon cow sign in the window screams fun and edgy.

With room for 40 covers, it's spacious, although when we visited, it got busy really quickly - so if you want to grab a seat at one of their booths or the beautiful marble tables, grab one when you can.

As we delved into the menu I didn't quite know what to do with myself. I have a really sweet tooth, and I love desserts so when the menu consists of crepes, waffles, ice cream, cakes and more, I must admit, I was a little overwhelmed. Sticking to my guns, and what Mackie's is most famous for, I decided to go for ice cream.

Calum had already eyed up the sundae's and was on the case of picking his three flavours. Me on the other hand, back to square one. A cone, a tub, a lolly, a sundae or a milkshake? I wanted them all.

With more than 20 new flavours of ice cream to choose from including buttery and jam, raspberry Eton mess and rhubarb and custard, there was something for everyone.

Calum ordered his sundae; one scoop of banana rainbow ice cream, one of salted caramel, and one of cookies and cream topped off with a flake, freshly chopped bananas, chocolate sauce and a large serving of whipped cream. A branded wafer finished the dessert off.

Being greedy (it was Sunday so it's allowed) I also decided to get a sundae - three scoops; one chocolate orange, one white chocolate and coconut, and one toffee popcorn with rainbow sprinkles, tiny meringue pieces, coconut sauce and a lots of whipped cream plus a wafer on top.

The sundaes were huge, and we both loved them. I was pleased how well my flavours went together, and was happy with the size of the sundae. At £6.20 you want to make sure you're getting your monies worth - and that we did.

Sadly in the end, I had to admit defeat as it was just too much for me. The flavours I picked were fabulous. The chocolate orange was by far my favourite, but the coconut sauce which lined the glass was lovely and sweet and worked really well with the toffee popcorn and the white chocolate and coconut ice creams I had chosen.

Calum finished his in record timing, so I didn't manage to get a whiff of his, never mind a taste, but by the clean dish, I figured he enjoyed it...It seems I was correct.

Other than the ice creams, we didn't really manage to sample much more than that so I can't comment too much on the other dishes, but from what I could tell my the looks on customers faces, Mackie's has nailed it.

A supporter of local businesses where it can be, Mackie's tries its hardest to use as many local suppliers as it can, which was great to see from a consumers point of view. I loved that they had numerous local business' on show including Bon Accord Drinks, So...Aberdeen and Rora Dairy to start.

The company is also well known for it's chocolate and crisps, so it's no surprise they had plenty of chocolate on sale too, as well as huge slabs which would be perfect as gifts. I spied the smaller, individual handmade chocolates but decided to wait until my next venture to put them to the taste test. I was far too full for that. 

There as a little bit of everything in the parlour, from savoury choices, to tray bakes, to chocolate and ice cream and everything sweet in between.  A lot of time and effort has clearly been spent in finding a layout which not only works for the consumer, but works for the staff too. There's something for all ages, and it definitely seems like a place where all generations will come together. Besides, there's nothing better than seeing a grandparents out with the grandkids sharing an ice cream made by local people.

I for one was very impressed.

 

Overly satisfied and bellies full, we were really pleased with how our first experience of Mackie's ice cream parlour had panned out.

Not only do they have an array of sweet treats to keep you going until the cows come home, the savoury offering was also much better than I had anticipated and it was fantastic to see so many other local business' I support included in the offering.

A great space which I have no doubt will be a busy one at that. See you again soon...

  For Now...

Just Julia

FUN FACT: For every sundae you purchase you get one stamp on your loyalty card - buy six sundae's and the seventh is on Mackie's!

Cereal killer Cafe (London): Review

I bloody love breakfast. And I bloody love cereal. So what do you do when you've got less than 48 hours in London? You travel as far as you can to get the best damn bowl of cereal money can buy, obviously.

Located in the quirky/hipster/unconventional borough of London that is Shoreditch, you can find The Cereal Killer Cafe, the worlds first international cereal cafe. With over 100 types of cereal on sale on sale - trust me, you're not stuck for choice - and with endless toppings to add to your cereal, and 30 different varieties of milk, there is literally something for everyone here - be that for what I couldn't really class as a healthy breakfast, or a late afternoon snack.

Walking into the cereal speakeasy, which dons an impressive selection of limited editions to some of the nations most-loved cereals, nostalgia kicked in. Gone are the days of finding a free spoon in your rice krispies or the numerous collector Tony the tiger figurines. Kids these days don't get to experience these defying moments of beating your sister to finding the toy - even thought this usually just consisted of me raking through the unopened box until I found it. That my friends, is one the benefits of being an early riser.

Turning to the wall of cereal, I was genuinely amazed at how many types of cereals there are, I wanted them all.

With an abundance of choice, it seemed an impossible task to decide on which cereal to pick, never mind which toppings you'd like. Eventually, after buying some time joining the long queue, I settled on chocolate hazelnut Krave topped with party rings, freeze dried marshmallows and crispy M&M's - all part of a stable diet and of course, a healthy breakfast. Oh, and white chocolate milk to accompany too...yum!

My boyfriend (the sort to copy a winning combination) also opted for the hazelnut Krave and added Oreo biscuits, party rings, and crispy M&M's too, topped off with banana milk.

Venturing downstairs, I was intrigued to see what childhood memories I could captivate in this underground cereal fantasy. The stairs were narrow, leading to a treasure trove of cereal memorabilia. Flashback to my bedroom circa 1995 being surrounded by lost but never forgotten brands, I was embracing my inner 90's kid, and my god I was in my element. Come to think of it my 101 Dalmatians wallpaper didn't seem to make an appearance, although I was kind of glad about that...

Spying a seat - or should I say an empty bed for that matter - we settled down and let loose on the milk. I tucked into my medium bowl of cereal, savouring every sweet, sweet mouthful. My other half delved into his large bowl, only coming up for air when he needed to add more milk. 

For a minute, you could almost forget that you're sitting in a cafe, on a randoms bed, chowing down on a bowl full of sugar - there was nothing healthy about this breakfast, but when you're holiday it's all about indulging - that's what everyone says, right?

It is a little strange to think I'd basically shared a bed with so many other strangers who had experienced the very same feeling of euphoria on, however, when there's a life size poster of  one of your hero gladiators, Jet, staring you in the face, you kind of just get caught up in the moment.

The interiors took me straight back to my childhood. A Spice Girl wannabe, I reminisced over all of the toys you used to get in your cereal for free (ah those were the days) and loved seeing all of the old branding for many household names. Never did I think cereal could be so fascinating...

Being the standard tourists we are, it was a definite must-visit for breakfast from me. I love quirky eateries like this, and although it wasn't the healthiest, most nutritious breakfast we've ever had, we were going for the experience, for the thrill of picking out your own cereal and topping it with as much sugar you could get your hands on. 

Yeah ok it might not be everyone's cup of tea, but I wasn't going to miss out on the opportunity to visit. Life is all about making memories and experiencing new things, as well as eating pretty delicious cereal too.

From American cereals, to outrageous pop tart flavours, to a stacked hot chocolate which is bound to leaving you full for days, to cereal cocktails, these guys know how to put the fun back into cereal, and give us a real taste of nostalgia when we need it most.

I'll definitely be back for a bowl.

The funniest part about this post? Guess who just finished a bowl of cereal...

  For Now...

Just Julia

Rye & Soda: Bloggers Brunch/DIY Bloody Mary

When it comes to brunching, I can't say I've ever 'brunched' quite so well as one of my best friends who lives in Dubai. The brunches out there are those of legends, why? I have no idea, but its one of those 'you've got to see it to believe it' type experiences. Brunch has never really been a big trend in Aberdeen. Fish and chips, yes. Burgers, kind of, and now gin. But brunch seems to be that one trend eateries across the North-east have never really managed to conquer  because of course, offering both sweet and savoury options is vital when tackling the brunching game. That is until Rye & Soda came along...

Renowned for its ever-growing gin and spirits collection, Rye & Soda recently added a new head chef, Chris Tonner, to their team, bolstering the restaurant's food offering. The food at Rye & Soda has always been good, but with Chris' leadership, it's about to get lit up. 

Last weekend at an Aberdeen bloggers brunch, we were tasked with the fun job of making our own Bloody Marys (even though DIY usually does not agree with me), adding garnish to one of three ready-made drinks which included a tomato juice, a carrot and beetroot juice, and a spicy tomato juice, for those with a more acquired taste. With the tomato juice now mixed into the shot of vodka which had been measured into my glass, it was time to get my hands dirty. With an array of ingredients available, I was looking forward to trying to create the perfect Bloody Mary.

Everyone knows I adore BBQ sauce, so obviously that was in first, quickly followed by bacon dust, a splash of lemon juice, some Lea and Perrins sauce, and a handful of fresh tomatoes and chillies from the Veg Company. I also added a stick of celery and a pickled onion for good measure.

As a result of the bloggers feedback, and a determination to be allowed to make our own drinks again, Rye & Soda will be rolling this concept out for customers to try themselves very soon. So if you love Bloody Mary's, watch this space...

Chris Tonner then talked us through the ethos of the menu, and touched on the dishes he had prepared for us to try.

Dishes included;

• Bruschetta ‘Ellie’s' Urban-farmed Tomatoes & Herbs 
• Chef’s Daily Salad (see specials board) wth pomegranate, feta cheese and crispy onions 
• Mini burger sliders in sweet brioche buns
• Curried smoked haddock risotto
• Gin and beetroot cured salmon
• Macaroni cheese bites
• Potato skins topped with Katy's eggs and a creamy, tangy sauce
• Dark Chocolate Muffins

My must-try's have to be the mini burgers, the macaroni cheese bites and the smoked haddock risotto - but I would highly recommend all of the dishes happily.

Ambassadors for shopping and eating local, these guys are all about utilsiing the local larder, and working with business' within the North-east region to bring the most creative, inspiring dishes to the table. By doing so, Rye & Soda can offer a trendy, adaptable menu, working with the freshest ingredients possible.

Whilst we devoured the food outside on a beautiful Autumn afternoon, Elias talked us through a few different wines from the restaurant's bottle shop, pairing the wines to the dishes perfectly.

First up was a sweet Viognier Reserva from Chilie, paired with the gin and beetroot cured salmon which was extremely fresh (£9.85 for a bottle). Then a dry white Riesling from Australia (The Courtesan - £13.90 for a bottle), perfect with the bruschetta, and last but not least, the Tempranillo red wine (£8.95 for a bottle) was paired with the succulent burgers, marrying in both flavour and texture on the palette.

With a huge focus on shopping and eating local in Aberdeen at the moment, this is one Aberdeen-based independent which is guaranteed to leave you hungry for more. With a talented chef and bar team, highly trained staff who know their stuff when it comes to creative bespoke dishes/drinks, and a cosy, homely atmosphere where you can let your top-knot down, Rye & Soda is a foodie haven, craving to show off it's offering. Go check it out (located in the Academy Centre), you won't regret it. 

Eat, drink and shop local, when possible. The talent behind these independents will really impress you if you give them the chance.

  For Now...

Just Julia

The Fairmont: Savoy Afternoon tea (review)

When you think of decadent afternoon tea's within Scotland I would be surprised if the Fairmont St Andrews wasn't on your top five list.

Now host to the prestigious Savoy Afternoon Tea, which originates from The Savoy Hotel in London (also managed under the Fairmont group), afternoon tea has never tasted, or looked so good.

After a recent multi-million pound refurbishment to the hotel's aesthetic and public areas, the five star hotel has completely changed its look. With the concept of bringing the outside inside, it is clear there are notes of the sea and land beautifully captured within the hotels interior design. One showstopper within the airy atrium lounge is the 60-metre lighting sculpture 'Zephyr'. Designed by artist George Singer, the sculpture resembles a fish in the sea, changing colour as the lights hit it - truly stunning.

Not wanting to starting the afternoon off with a pop too early, I opted for a stunning exotic Oolong tea - an oriental honeyed, sweet tea which is famed for being one of the Queen's favourite teas. My guest for the afternoon, the gorgeous Sarah of Blogs Vlogs Etc, decided on a traditional breakfast tea, although was almost tempted to try out one of the floral teas too. Maybe next time...

I indulged in my fancy tea, whilst the staff talked us through the experience and the delicious food we were about to devour.

To start, we were treated to a delicious selection of finger sandwiches which included; Ayrshire ham with wholegrain mustard and apple chutney on wholemeal bread, coronation chicken brioche rolls (these were divine!), a rich classic egg salad with watercress on white bread and smoked Scottish samlon with herb cream cheese on mated brown bread. The winner for me was the mozzarella, beef, tomato, pesto and balsamic glaze on herb and spinach bread - who would have thought green bread would have tasted so damn good. I'm officially converted.

The sandwiches were accompanied by baked raisin and plain scones too, which I lathered in Cornish clotted cream, strawberry preserve and homemade lemon curd too obviously. They were heavenly, melting slowly in my mouth with every bite.

Next up was probably my favourite part of the experience, the delicate tea pastries which were utterly more-ish. I  hate to admit it, but I had already loosened my belt buckle in preparation for this - no cake was going to defeat me.

The choices included; 

Seasonal gateaux with pistachio sponge and black cherry Bavarois,

Lemon curd tart with candied lemon sponge, Italian meringue, coated in white chocolate.

Classic opera cake boasting intense coffee butter cream, jaconde biscuit, and dark chocolate.

Lavender éclair infused with vanilla cream in a choux bun.

Strawberry sable with a lightened vanilla custard, fresh strawberries and sweet tartlet.

And in true Julia fashion, I tried them all.

These sweet treats were incredibly beautiful, and not only tasted delicious, they also looked so delicate and were perfectly positioned on the silver platter in dashing military fashion.

Teapots topped up, I was beginning to feel rather full, but there were still two final cakes to sample...breathe in...breathe out...

With a deep breath and the loosening of another buckle, I was ready to take on the Atrium Lounge signature cakes. A triple chocolate brownie cake and a refreshingly light Victoria sponge cake, one at a time the cakes made their way into my mouth. I was in afternoon tea euphoria.

After relaxing in the Atrium for a while after our Savoy Afternoon Tea experience, we were lucky enough to get a quick tour of one of the standard rooms at the hotel. Large rooms with a spacious bathroom and huge shower, I was envious of the guest who would be stepping into the hotel room a few hours later. Whoever you are, I hope to god you used that bathtub as it looks lush!

My first visit to The Fairmont at St Andrews was exceptionally pleasant and I couldn't recommend the Savoy Afternoon Tea enough. At £25 per person it's brilliantly priced and for a little extra you can also include a glass of Moet & Chandon NV or Moet & Chandon Rose NV.

This is the perfect experience if you're looking to get out of Aberdeen for the day. Only an hour and a half(ish) drive from Aberdeen, you could easily spend all day getting lost in the beauty of the hotel. I would absolutely love to stay and try out the other facilities the hotel has to offer including the spa,  and the bar and grill restaurant, however I think I will give the golf a miss. Maybe that's one my boyfriend would be interested in - although he'd more likely enjoy being pampered in the spa too!

  For Now...

Just Julia