Bar San Juan, Chorlton

Turning up at a popular tapas restaurant that doesn't take bookings at 8pm on a Saturday night probably isn't the quickest way to get your dinner...

Luckily the atmosphere inside San Juan is buzzing; authentically Spanish (a little crazy and crowded), taking you a world away from the icy winter wind merely on the other side of the door.

Whilst we waited (they'd quoted us an hour and a half, we were seated within the hour which was ideal), we had two pints of Spanish beer to 'limber up' in time for the feast.

Our little round table quickly became stacked with dishes and plates; from memory I think we ordered:

• Olives (so buttery, d-lish)
• Toasted bread with (the most incredible) olive oil and herbs

• Whitebait - crisp n' crunchy for the win (really really salty - goes well with the beer)
• Lamb parcels with a sweet 'jus' for dipping 
• Meatballs in tomato sauce 

• Patatas bravas with a spicy tomato sauce
• Quails egg perched on top of ciabatta with a chorizo paste. Yep... Heaven.

The other great thing is how reasonably priced everything is - dishes are about £3-4 each on average.
We also got a top notch bottle of Tempranillo for £13.95,

It's messy food. So would be a funny first date territory. And you might have to share a table with another couple, but it all adds to the fun (and food envy).

I didn't take my big cam, so these are all taken on my phone, and as you can guess it was pretty dark in there, so sorry if some of the pictures are a bit blurred. It doesn't do the food justice really, which essentially means you have to visit now.

Well worth it, I cannot wait to go again...

Instagram Catch Up: Life through a lens

Cake. Wine. Friends. Spring.

The above sounds like the intro to a very feminine poem doesn't it? But it's basically how I'd sum up the past two weeks. I've got posts I want to write up separately but wanted to share what I've been up to recently...

I received a surprise gift in the post from my little sister - she'd crafted me a stuffed bird; isn't it cute? (there's also something still really exciting about receiving something in the post that isn't a bill - cheap thrills eh!)

Grew up absolutely hating on peanut butter (especially with 'jelly', EW), but now, grown up, it's one of my favourite toast toppings..

..and it tastes awesome on these clean and healthy pancakes (recipe from Fifi's Skinny Munch) 

Can't get enough of this 'Snow in Love' Yankee candle. It smells so fresh.

I know, I know, I'm always going on about how much I love anti-pasti. But look at it!! 

New absolute favourite red. Oaky, rich and incredibly smooth - anyone would think I knew what I was talking about! It tastes amazing. 

This doesn't look all too appetising but trust me it's clean eating at its most indulgent. Grated sweet potato and carrot cooked with spices, poached egg on top, tuna and leafy greens. I'll do an in-depth recipe soon as it's so easy to make and REALLY tasty.

How beautiful does this look? Taken at a park in Manchester when I was running.

How beautiful does this look? No, I'm not mistaking this photo for the flowers above. There are fewer things more holy looking than this picture of red wine after a stressful day! 

You know when you see your name on something and have to take a photo of it? Yeah, that. This was taken at The Dish Ran Away With The Spoon - you need to try their red velvet cupcakes, I'm addicted.

The naughtiest, gooeyest, salted caramel chocolate cake that I wolfed down at the Halo blogger event on Sunday. The event was pretty special, keep your eye out for my post on it!

Of course, you could just follow me on instagram for more.. ;)