News and Reviews - Thu 7th Jan 2010

SO the season of merrymaking is in full swing and most of us have chomped our way through enough mince pies and turkey dinners to weary even the liveliest of palates.
If you're longing for a meal that's guaranteed to spark the tastebuds, then the latest arrival in Ecclesall Road is right up your street – and the 'no reservations' policy means it won't be booked up.
Spice Market Café is the eagerly awaited new offering from BrewKitchen, the Sheffield group that includes Artisan, Canteen and the Cricket Inn at Totley.
Master Chef Richard Smith is the culinary force behind it and, once again, he seems to have hit upon the perfect ingredient to round off the company's offer. The Spice Market borrows elements from each of the other outlets but is, essentially, different from all of them.
"An exciting mix of the fantastic cuisines of Asia with the British love affair with spices," burbles the publicity leaflet. "Let us take you on a journey of cooking through Thailand, India, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Cambodia, China and Malaysia, all with a great British take."

Reviewed by Lesley Draper, the Telegraph. Read more:

http://www.sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk/foodguide/FOOD-REVIEW-Spice-Market-Cafe.5932916.jp

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It's a long wait for my liver and mustard fried potatoes but, sitting over my glass of Empire bitter in the Rutland Arms on Brown Street, Sheffield, I wasn't in a mind to complain. After all, any pub chef who can take the time and effort to make his own baked beans, rather than open a can, gets a Brownie point or two. And Paul Hil, who may have only one 'L' to his name, has earned several Brownie points from me.
Reviewed by Martin Dawes, the Star, read more

http://www.thestar.co.uk/food/FOOD-REVIEW--The-Rutland.5956890.jp

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A couple of weeks back a local restaurant boss looked at his tinsel decorations and shook his head sadly. "Christmas used to last four weeks, now it's down to just two."It's what is going to happen in January which worries me."
He wasn't the only one. It's been a belt-tightening year for customers as much as eateries yet new ones still open up in a city which has far too many restaurants.With a credit crunch on, I spent this year looking even more acutely than normal to find real value for money in the less glamorous places. It was often to be found in places which were more cafes than restaurants.
By Martin Dawes, the Star,Published Date: 30 December 2009. Read more at
http://www.thestar.co.uk/food/Value-for-money-the-holy.5943132.jp
 

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