New Menu Launch - Slug and Lettuce Harpenden

Today the Slug and Lettuce in Harpenden launched their new menu and I decided to go and try it! For those that know me well will know that The Harpenden Slug is one of my favorite watering holes in Harpenden as their cocktails are divine! I am however also partial to a lunch or breakfast date there with my son Benji, who has been a popular presence since he was little. So me popping in to try out their new menu was a must.

The Slug and Lettuce group like to update their menus often which I like as it keeps things fresh and exciting. It makes you as a customer step out your comfort zone a bit,  as sometimes we tend to order the same thing over and over again.

So what did I have? This was between two people, well we each had a cocktail platter! 

Mini Cocktail Platter - Tapas 'Tails £11.45

mini French Martini, Strawberry Bellini, WooWoo and Mojito

How could I not have this gorgeous little array of cocktail goodness! All my favorites on one plate.
The cocktails may be small in size but still, pack a punch. My only disappointment was with the French Martini as they have changed the recipe and I did really miss the vanilla vodka.

Small Plates - 5 for £18

Crispy salt & pepper shrimp bombs with paprika garlic mayo , BBQ Chicken skewers with pineapple salsa, Lotus-style steam buns with BBQ pulled pork, pickled red onion

I am a person who likes choice when it comes to food and I enjoy a few little dishes to nibble on rather than one big one, so the small plates are perfect for me. The Shrimp bombs were good and the Pulled Pork buns were delcious - I could eat the pulled pork all day. And although the chicken skewers were tasty I wasn't a huge fan of the pineapple salsa. But everything can't always be perfect.

Calamari strips with a spiced tomato sauce, Chorizo in sweet chili sauce

We also had the breaded calamari strips that were again delicious, especially with the spiced tomato sauce but the Sweet Chilli Chorizo was by far my favorite! I just wish I had more bread to dip into the sauce.

Dessert Plates 3 for £7

Lemon & Lime Tart Wedges The zesty one, Warm Brownie Bites With whipped double cream, Warm Mini Churros Caramel-cream-filled churros, with dipping sauce

For dessert again we went for the small plates and really indulged in the sweetness! The lemon and lime tarts were well 'tart' but yummy and the brownie bites were warm and gooey just how I like them. My favorite though was the mini churros and the divine sauce they came with. I will however mention or shall I say warn you, the filling inside is HOT! So if you are like me and tend to skim over things ie the menu, you may end up burning your mouth with its unexpected molten center.

Overall we enjoyed our meal. The food is good and didn't break the bank, which is something we all tend to look for these days when eating out. So if you about in Harpenden and are feeling a little peckish why not pop into the Slug. You can see their full menu's here. 

Tappas anyone - Mexican range by Crofton by Aldi...

As a food blogger and lover of entertaining collecting amazing dishes, serving plates etc. is something that has become a bit of an obsession. The dream is Ina Gartens Kitchen and if you know who that is you know what a mean. She is prepared for every theme and every occasion and has a kitchen you would never want to leave. It is a foodie and wanabe food photographers dream.

Now if you not Ina or a professional foodie on tele this obsession can be expensive but if done the way I do it, by hitting the supermarkets and charity shops, you can feed your habit without breaking the bank.

Places like ASDA, Sainsbury's and Aldi can sell some really amazing things without a huge price tag, especially when they are coming to the end as that is when they go on sale. And charity shops, especially where I live can be goldmines. My favourite has to be Aldi though. They have 'themed months' which is  fun and great for blogging! But most importantly it is all really well priced and great quality.

My latest purchase was a few bits from their Mexican range.  They had all sorts from serving dishes, to jugs and even hotplates and all so brightly coloured. They were sold along side fajita kits and Mexican spices, basically giving you everything you could need to have a fabulous Mexican themed dinner party.

There was so much to choose from but I went for the items I would use most. I think all of this only came to £20! Which is amazing!! And to be honest although Aldi has a once its gone its gone policy you can still pick a few of the bits up and for half the price. You just have to dig :)

Again I will mention that the quality is great  and if you look after it, it  will see you through many the fiesta :) or other occasion.

And on a side note I will say... I will be first to admit I was a supermarket snob but ever since my first trip to Aldi I have never looked back. And that applies to groceries too.

Have you ever visited Aldi and picked up something fabulous for the kitchen or home?