Norfolk week: Pick of the best

Friday, July 9, 2010

It is with pleasure that I bring you a selection of the week’s highlights from our Norfolk trip….

Butler’s Pantry, The Appleyard, Holt

I could spend ages in this kitchenware shop buying Emma Bridgewater teapots, mugs and everything else! They also have a fabulous range of eco frying pans, Joseph Joseph and cake decorating materials. I bought a super cute traditional style salt pig with spoon from here. Their adjoining restaurant is also excellent (I’ve eaten there a couple of times in the past and the food has always been great).

Adnam’s Cellar and Kitchen, Victoria Street, Southwold

Indulge yourself in a day out in Southwold! Home of Adnam’s ale, it is a beautiful seaside resort which largely remains unspoilt by crass tourist attractions. What you will find here though is the beautiful Adnam’s shop full of their ales (as one might expect), a good selection of carefully chosen wines, specialist and locally produced foods and some wonderful gifts. We picked up this beautiful lighthouse schnapps bottle for £24.

lighthouse schnapps bottle from Adnam's Cellar and Kitchen, Southwold

Find out more about Cellar & Kitchen here.

Dairy Barns, Hickling

As I will reiterate time and time again, I love to support local business, so I’m happily introducing you to Dairy Barns, a former milking parlour converted to a comfortable and beautiful bed and breakfast. It’s a beautiful setting to get married and hold your wedding reception. I also love the fact you can hold an afternoon tea here (with champagne!) – perfect for ladies who lunch.

You can learn more about Dairy Barns here.

Simply Norfolk, Staithe Street, Wells-Next-The-Sea

Gorgeous homeware, I wish I could buy the whole shop (to put in my dream home!). Cute little bird decorations, Gisela Graham mugs to die for and beautiful rose candle holders. I bought some gorgeous Cath Kidston-esque napkins from here (post with them in coming soon!)

The Last Wine Bar & Restaurant, George’s St, Norwich

wood-pigeon-skewers-the-last-wine-bar-norwich

I hadn’t been here for a good four years, but on my return, the food was still amazing. Friday is steak frites night and the steak is wonderfully juicy (like i’ve never had before!). But what really stuck out for me was the starters: Wood pigeon skewer with asian spices, mouli and green mango salad and scallops with spinach oshitasi, crispy rice noodles, wasabi and sweet chilli. Simply delicious.

Scallops from The Last Wine Bar & Restaurant, Norwich

Byford’s, Shirehall Plain, Holt

The best cream tea we ate all week! I saw a quote from Smitten Kitchen that she gets nostalgic for times and places she never knew. This was exactly how I felt in Byford’s. I could imagine Victorian ladies meeting friends here, the low ceilings with its wooden beams and traditional interior. It really served as the perfect environment to enjoy a spot of scones with clotted cream, finger sandwiches and a selection of their wonderful cakes.

Arthur Howell – butchers, Staithe Street, Wells-Next-The-Sea

Quite simply, the nicest fillet steak I’ve ever seen in a butchers. The meat was well hung, marbled with fat and full of flavour. My mum loves shopping here too (she usually buys up the shop).