Grillstock Smokehouse Bath & Royal Crescent StrEAT' Bath 'Festival'

This weekend was organised around food and eating!

On Sunday a group of my friends got together and we went to the Royal Crescent StrEAT' Bath 'Festival', I use inverted commas as I expected a food festival to have more than 5 stalls. Whilst there was a variety of food to chose from, all stalls had massive que's and they didn't seem ready for the amount of people there. As it wasn't a ticketed event I understand they couldn't prepare for the amounts they expected, but it did feel lacking...maybe next year they can sort the food issue out - as it was advertised as a food festival I expected more.

Also it was advertised as free, but there was a forced donation upon entry. Using one gate as the entrance and exit (unless you were prepared to climb the wall to get in and out) with stewards explaining that there was a donation, but it was clear it would be difficult to get past without the donation. Don't get me wrong I have no problem with donating to a good cause, but it was the pure lack of choice I was against, there was also no information about what the donation was going to, which was annoying.

Apart from the above annoying aspects the day was fun, a few drinks, some great jerk chicken and a game of frisbee later we decided to find the next meal. The Grillstock Smokehouse had recently opened in Bath and after the great experience at Grillstock festival there was no other option than to eat there.

I ordered the BBQ pulled pork plate:

Which was pulled pork, fries, coleslaw, smoked sausage and pickles (£8). The menu is great and very reasonable, there are a lot of options which don't include bread and meet my (annoying) diet restrictions. 

However there were a few problems, which I will list:

1. The pickles were not pickles - they still tasted like cucumber just with too much vinegar on them. I would have much prefered a gherkin, from a jar.
2. The staff were.....lacking (lets put it nicely), they made a mistake telling us which meal was being provided, and of course you believe it when a waitress says "brisket roll" that it is, the said brisket roll. However once smothered with hot sauce it was then discovered that the advertised brisket roll was a pulled pork roll and there had been a mix up. Which is fine, I've been a waitress and it happens, the normal response would be to apologize and offer to change the buns. As it is a mistake made by the server, not knowing what dish is which. But there was nothing, so solution, the waitress just stood there with a blank face. I appreciate the venue is new, but there was a clear solution which was not offered. And we all found it rude that there wasn't an apology.
3. The drinks are mega over-priced (but the food is cheap...so maybe it balances out)
4. Someone had the burger with pulled pork, but the burger was dry, to quote the customer "a burger shouldn't suck the moisture from your mouth". Whilst it might not be the place you go for a nice rare piece of beef, you don't expect seriously overcooked.

Now, for the good points, also listed:

1. The food was very reasonably priced,
2. The waiter/welcommer on the door was really nice and helpful,
3. It is in a great location and the layout of the venue is great, however shouting over the music to talk got annoying...quickly. 
4. It was 10/10 for food porn, everything brought out from the kitchen looked great.

Overall, I am glad I have eaten there, and as it is new I can look over the flaws and hope things get better over time. 

Merry Christmas and (a delayed) Happy New Year!

So it's 2014, and this might be a rather delayed moment to reflect on the festive period but it has been the only time I've sat down and thought to do it. 

As everyone says Christmas and New Year was a busy few weeks, I had an amazing time with my family and enjoyed the home comforts. However this was all shadowed by my over whelming guilt of not spending enough time doing University work. 

New Years Eve was a great night, although the club I was in missed the countdown. But I was with amazing friends and my boyfriend. 

The last few weeks if 2014 where spent with my friends and family:

Mockmas (Christmas with my boyfriends family): 

I cut my hair short an am slowly getting use to it. 

And 2014 has already been great. 

My grandparents had their diamond wedding anniversary. It was amazing to share it with them and relive their 60 years. 

I've already done some crafting/DIY (hair curlers to a curling wand).

Although a photo from last year it shows my love for Pinterest, I will keep promoting Pinterest to everyone I can find a recommendation for joins it. The one I thought would be the hardest was my boyfriend and he is now on Pinterest! (Yay) 

With all the joy that came with bringing in the New Year and seeing the last one off brought a short sharp realisation of the year to come. I will have finished University (again) and at the moment i swear not to go back into education, I am loving my masters but I'm ready for a full time job and full time earnings. Not so much a resolution but a promise to get a full time job and feel like a real grown up. 

The next year looks bright and I am determined to keep it that way.

(More like a New Years resolution) I will be taught/trying to get into meditation. My boyfriend practices a lot and I am lucky enough that he is going to give ago at teaching me. 

I will try to be more regular with posting about my bloggable items. Between Jan 16th and Feb 3rd I have a inter semester break and on the top of my to do list is to clean out my wardrobe. I will be following a strict method and will post as I do it. 

Happy 2014!!