Rosie Corriette

Notes from a retired blogger

Tag: london

  • Puttshack Brunch Club | Review

    Puttshack Brunch Club | Review

    What do brunch and mini golf have in common? Well quite a lot actually if you ask Puttshack with the launch of their brand-new brunch club offering at the weekends.

    Brnaded beer mat help up in front of a bar

    Ahead of the launch we were Invited to a special preview brunch at Puttshack Bank. Let’s start with the food because let’s be honest it’s pretty important it’s a two course brunch offering. For the main we went for the eggs Royale and the chicken waffle both were amazing and cooked really well.

    chicken waffles and egg on a blue plate

    eggs royale on a blue plate

    For dessert we shared a cheesecake and churros my personal favourite was the cheesecake definitely recommend going for that. Now all too often the mere mention of free flowing ‘bubbles’ invokes an involuntary eye roll from me as you just know it’s going to be really rather hideous; but not this time. The prosecco served with brunch was not only palatable it was really nice, with a good depth of flavour and no lingering acidity – something that really stood out.

    churros and cheesecake on blue plates

    With a resident DJ the vibe is definitely party-esque and fun but it’s not over the top or overbearing, you can still hear yourself think and hold a conversation; it adds to the atmosphere it doesn’t dominate it – I think that’s really good Puttshack have got that balance just right.

    Brunch finished and it was time to tee off – It’s worth noting at this point that I am absolutely atrocious at mini golf and that’s absolutely fine my putting partner stole the golf show and won tremendously I was there to add the humour, as you can see from this hilarious action shot. Honestly it was just an achievement that I hit the ball in the right direction! Mini golf is all about friendly competition and not taking yourself seriously.

    Woman holding mini golf club laughing

    Ticket wise there are two options: a premium ticket will get you brunch which includes 75 minutes of unlimited Prosecco beer or a Mocktail +2 courses and a game of mini golf afterwards for £45 or a standard ticket gives you the brunch and booze without the mini golf afterwards for £40. It was a great day date for us, yet equally would be perfect for larger groups. 

    branded putt held in woman's hand

    Whilst Puttshack itself is open to children it’s worth noting that the brunch is available to 18+ only.

    And if you’re still not done after all that fun, then there’s a bar with a nothing mini about it cocktail menu to keep you entertained.

    two cocktails on black table next to black menu

    Brunches are in danger of becoming a bit stale – so anything that is fun (without being gimmicky) is a winner for me; that’s exactly what Puttshack Brunch Club have done here: a great core offering of brunch with lots of fun that doesn’t feel forced or rushed. 

    Puttshack brunch club is available every other Sunday at Bank and you can book online here.

    Disclosure: We were guests of Puttshack for the purpose of this review.

  • UK City Breaks – Have I Been Missing Out?

    UK City Breaks – Have I Been Missing Out?

    I like to think of myself as an early adopter, apart from when it’s trendy. Make something trendy and suddenly I’m like a stubborn mule: looking at you UK city breaks. International travel restrictions and all the uncertainty that comes with living and attempting to travel during a global pandemic has seen an exponential (is this not the word to linger from 2020) rise in the staycation – the search term ‘staycation’ increased by 511% in July 2020 alone (Pi-Diametrics July 2020). 

    Love it or hate it the word staycation appears is here to stay. Once seen as a poor substitution for hopping on a plane to the continent, a UK city break has enjoyed monopolising the travel market for the past couple of years; however as international travel is tentatively becoming easier, UK destinations will have to shake their money makers that bit harder in order to compete with their international counterparts.

    But do they have anything to worry about? I’ve been guilty in the past of dismissing UK destinations in favour of heading abroad, and whilst I’m not about to turn my back on jumping on a plane; does a change in pace of travelling have me missing the wood for the trees?

    I’m surprisingly untravelled when it comes to sophisticated UK city breaks – I say sophisticated because I’m not sure visiting friends while at university and sampling the delights of student nights counts! The familiarity of some cities will be welcome but I’m also looking forward to discovering completely new destinations. 

    The undeniable and never ceasing excitement of a hotel breakfast (I refuse to believe I will ever tire of this underrated pleasure of life) and a morning of exploring that lays ahead, all while you have the customary cup of tea in bed. Just me?

    Being London based, I’m particularly spoilt as the Capital’s connectivity, in particular the rail network means city breaks can be as short as one night – or as long as you wish to explore – and still pack a punch when it comes to an itinerary. Whilst I may be taking advantage of the transport to leave London for a few days, I’m not turning my back on the Capital entirely: I still enjoy getting lost in the city I call home, perhaps a micro-staycation without having to leave the TFL network is on the cards too?

    View of southbank from North of the river Thames

    And as much as I love an airport (there’s just something about them) you can’t deny the lure of turning up minutes before a train’s departure as opposed to the hours needed for air travel.

    So yes, I’m late to the UK city break game, but maybe being achingly cool isn’t such a bad thing after all.

  • The Gruffalo Live

    The Gruffalo Live

    “A mouse took a stroll in a deep dark wood, a fox saw the mouse and the mouse looked good…” I only need to say these words and Boo will scamper and fetch her beloved and somewhat tattered copy of The Gruffalo. Since it’s publication in 1999, The Gruffalo has become part of modern day childhood so what better treat to kick off the Christmas holidays than a trip to Vaudeville Theatre in London to watch The Gruffalo Live.

    Boo-at-The-Gruffalo-Live

    Boo didn’t need any persuading as we headed up on the train, she loves the Gruffalo and sat patiently waiting for the show to start as we chatted about her favourite part (apparently that’s not fair, and she loves it all!) The show was brilliant, with a great cast who managed to fit in a few jokes for the parents… All I say is Whack’im is the funniest snake you’ll ever meet.

    The-Gruffalo-Live-London

    The Gruffalo Live is like the book, it has something for everyone: from a 4 year old who knows it word for word and you can see the magic glisten in her eyes to parents who take pleasure in making such fun memories, thanks Gruffalo for a splendid end to what has been a fantastic 2015! Boo couldn’t agree more and what better way to celebrate than with a Shirley Temple at Byron after the show!

    Boo-at-Byron-Burger-And-Cocktail

    Disclosure: We received complementary tickets for the performance. All opinions are 100% honest.

  • The Tiger Who Came To Tea Live

    The Tiger Who Came To Tea Live

    Chances are there’s not a single one of you reading this who haven’t read The Tiger Who Came To Tea by Judith Kerr; it’s an institution, a sure winner no matter how many times I suggest it as Boo’s bedtime story. But can you imagine it as a play? We were invited to the Lyric Theatre last month to watch the story of The Tiger Who Came To Tea jump to life.

    “Will there be a real tiger Mummy?” it’s a fair question when you’re four and I have to admit I was a little dubious as to how they were going to portray the tiger on stage; children aren’t suckers when it comes to theatre and the suspension of disbelief still has to be achieved if the audience no matter how young are to have an authentic connection with the story.

    The production was lovely, and I use that word wholeheartedly, from curtain up until the final applause, Boo was mesmerized and engrossed on a level I didn’t think would be possible. The tiger is in fact a costume, but one that works so well and really does look like the character from the book. There’s lots of singing and apart from a few tweaks the story is very much the same and just as well received.

    The Tiger Who-Came-To-Tea-Live-at-The-Lyric-Theatre

    The Tiger Who Came To Tea gets a big thumbs up from both me and Boo; it’s got the winning combination of a great story that is well and truly loved with a considerate production which helps to keep such a classic so fresh and appealing – a perfect excuse for a family trip to the theatre.

    The Tiger Who Came To Live is at the Lyric Theatre until the 10th January 2016.

    Disclosure: We received complementary tickets for the performance. All opinions are 100% honest.

  • The Toy Store UK: Redefining the Magic of Toys

    The Toy Store UK: Redefining the Magic of Toys

    A few weeks back before the Christmas rush began me and Boo were invited to a VIP tour of The Toy Store, London’s newest premier toy shop and a brand promising to change the way we buy toys.

    The Toy Store has long been a destination in Dubai and the middle east but their newly opened Oxford Street location is their first European store. Me and Boo headed to The Toy Store on a busy Saturday afternoon and were greeted by Paul, the General Manager who straight away kicked off our tour in the impressively pink Barbie section; Boo was mesmerized from the word go and it didn’t take me long to realise that The Toy Store’s ethos of it being a place to inspire play and fun really is reflected in everything and everyone you come across during your visit.

    The-Toy-Store-UK-Mummy-and-Boo

    As our tour continued Boo got the opportunity to play with a whole range of different toys from Bonnie and Pearl dolls to being the star racer and not forgetting meeting Mr Fun – who’s exclusive to The Toy Store and is real hit with the children, even if he does have trouble fitting on the escalator!

    Boo-loving-the-Bonnie-and-Pearl-Dolls

    Boo-owning-the-new-Anki-race-set-at-The-Toy-Store-UK

    Boo-and-general-manager-Paul-from-The-Toy-Store-UK-meeting-Mr-Fun

    Boo was very lucky and was allowed to pick some Lego out as a gift from The Toy Store, the beginning of a life long love affair with everyone’s favorite toy.

    Boo-loaded-up-with-Lego-at-The-Toy-Store-UK

    Shopping trips aren’t often that memorable for children and for a good reason (we place emphasis instead on experiences with family and friends rather than material things), but our visit to The Toy Store was so much more than ‘just shopping’’ Boo still chatters away about how much fun we had together that Saturday afternoon and she’s right – it’s a destination of fun not only for children but for the adults who are lucky enough to share the experience with them.

    Mummy-and-Boo-selfie-at-The-Toy-Store-UK

    Boo's-amazing-day-at-The-Toy-Store-UK

    Disclosure: We were gifted the toys during our shopping trip at The Toy Store. All opinions are 100% honest.