News and Reviews - December 2009

No doubt 2009 will go down in history as a year of doom, gloom and banking disaster. Sheffield's pubs and restaurants have taken a hammering like everyone else – but the result has been an unexpected win for their customers.
While one or two old favourites have caved in under the pressure, most have adapted to the tougher market with resilience and imagination. And that has meant greater choice and better quality at the budget end of the scale.
Chef Richard Smith began the year by closing his acclaimed fish restaurant Catch but swiftly reopened it as Canteen, a back-to-basics version of neighbouring Artisan. Likewise Cary Brown was back in town with the new Mini Bar, offering pared down, tapas-style versions of his old Slammers favourites.

By Lesley Draper, the Telegraph, published 31st December 2009. Read more

http://www.sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk/foodguide/Top-of-the-menu-for.5947336.jp

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He's behind you!

Robinson Crusoe Pantomime Lunch
20th, 23rd, 24th, 26th December

Take some time out with your friends and family.Enjoy a well earned break from the hustle and bustle of Christmas preparations and relax with your family and friends. Enjoy our pantomime classic, Robinson Crusoe, as we serve you and your loved ones with a delicious 2 course lunch. This is a treat for everyone!
Lunch starts at 12.30pm and booking is essential. Tickets are £19.95 per adult and £9.95 per child under 12
 
20% discount on all tickets for bookings made on or by Friday 11th December!
 
Telephone 0114 252 5480
www.millenniumhotels.co.uk/copthornesheffield
 

Location: 1855 at the Copthorne
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Over the past 10 years, Britain has become the height of culinary cool.

As reported by Jasper Gerard in the Telegraph Online 11 December 2009

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/foodanddrink/restaurants/6779749/The-restaurant-highlights-of-the-Noughties.html

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... Head chef Abdrabou Achnatih is a Latino who worked for many years in the Canary Islands – all of which adds up to the perfect recipe for a Latin American restaurant 'with a European twist'. "We're passionate about our food; that's what you need for success of a restaurant," says Francisco. To ensure they got the recipe right the Mama Mia team started out with a lengthy menu then gradually refined it to feature a broad range of both dishes and prices. The accent is on authenticity: where else in the city can you get paella for one, made with real paella rice? Pasta and pizza were banned until they gave in to perceived demand and settled on a token two of each. "But people don't ask for them – in four weeks we've only sold ten…"
Reviewed by lesley Draper, the Telegraph, 10th December. Read more

http://www.sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk/foodguide/FOOD-REVIEW-Mama-Mia-Abbeydale.5898567.jp

Location: Mama Mia
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The stage is set for a promising newcomer

... The new theatre restaurant, the Crucible Corner, is a little cracker.
It is not in the theatre itself but opposite and at first it looks unpromising as you pick your way through a building site to get to what was Ruskins wine bar in Tudor Square, a brave idea that never got off the ground.
Now renamed and redressed – the white walls are broken by giant black and white photos of Famous Crucible Thespians (Derek Jacobi, Kenneth Branagh et al) – it serves both the Crucible itself and the next door Lyceum, as well as the Library Theatre rather better than its predecessor Eat.
We decided to go early for a theatre tea (without the theatre) although the place is open from 9am for breakfast with last orders at 8pm.
So far, according to executive head chef David Wilson, the trade is mainly sandwiches and salads at lunchtimes and people get their teeth into something more substantial in the evenings.
Reviewed by Martin Dawes, the Star, 2nd December. Read More

http://www.thestar.co.uk/food/The-stage-is-set-for.5872916.jp?articlepage=1

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