Tag: restaurant

Tulum Travel Diaries; Final Night Fever At Gitano

March 15, 2026

Tucked deep within the wild embrace of the jungle, an evening at Gitano Jungle Tulum feels like stepping into a beautifully chaotic dream. It’s effortlessly atmospheric, where glamour meets the bohemian spirit of Tulum.

As the sun disappears and the jungle darkens, the space comes alive with shimmering disco energy as mirror balls sway gently from the palms, candlelight flickers between the trees, and tables weave organically through the natural maze of the jungle floor.

I leaned fully into the Tulum aesthetic for my outfit of the night. I wore my new Las Lulas flared-sleeved crop top, complete with handmade tassel details that danced every time I moved.

Paired with my palm print mini skirt from Topshop, pearl platform sliders, my Seaside Stories gold shell necklace and Heaven Mayhem gold shell earrings, the look felt perfectly suited to a night in the jungle.

Naturally, we began with cocktails to toast the final evening of our holiday. I ordered a classic Paloma; sweet yet salty, refreshing and glowing with that dreamy sorbet pink hue.

And what’s dinner in Tulum without a little entertainment? Throughout the evening a group of professional dancers performed around the restaurant, transforming the space into a lively jungle disco. Their energy was infectious and added a vibrant party atmosphere that made the night feel even more special.

To start, we shared a simple but deliciously satisfying hummus with pita chips.

For mains, we opted for a selection of plates to try a few different dishes: a cauliflower steak, buttermilk chicken, watermelon basil salad and chipotle potatoes.

The cauliflower dish was the standout with a perfectly roasted, tender flesh topped with a rich, creamy sauce that was just so tasty and moorish.

To be transparent, it was definitely a splurge with the bill coming in at just under £200. But sometimes travel is about unique experiences and dining beneath the palms at Gitano certainly felt like one, so it was worth it.

Between the glowing candlelight, the delicious food and cocktails, and the dazzling performances, it made for an awesome final evening dinner in Tulum.

A little wild and playful with a side glamour, it was the most memorable way to celebrate another beautiful holiday together; good night Tulum ❤

Tulum Eats; Mexico Meets the Med At Ciao Osteria

March 10, 2026

We stumbled across Checkpoint Ciao Osteria following a lovely dinner at their sister pizzeria just down the beach road in Tulum. It was a place so charming that one visit simply wasn’t enough.

We first wandered in for a pre-dinner drink, taking two seats at the bar with no intention of ordering much more. But the moment we spotted the bread basket on the menu, curiosity got the better of us.

This was far from your standard bread and butter situation. Instead it arrived as a beautifully elevated appetiser: warm sourdough bread accompanied by creamy burrata cucumber salad, a delightful mini parmigiana, and of course a side of olives.

Simple ingredients thoughtfully done, the kind of sharing plate that makes you slow down and savour each bite. That little taste of the menu was all it took to convince us we needed to come back for a proper dinner.

The interiors alone are reason enough to visit. The design feels like a dreamy blend of Bali and Morocco, yet somehow still perfectly suited to the laidback spirit of Tulum.

One of my favourite details was the striking sun sculpture above the arched entrance, instantly setting the tone for that Mediterranean meets Mexico atmosphere you are welcomed with inside.

When we returned a few nights later, we were seated in the restaurant’s beautiful indoor-outdoor dining space where the palms sway above and warm evening air drifts through the room.

The central open kitchen feature, something we noticed was a theme across many restaurants in Tulum, gives the whole place an inviting, lively energy.

Naturally, we couldn’t resist ordering the bread again to start. This time it arrived with a slightly different accompaniment, swapping the mini parmigiana for marinated peppers with tonnato sauce, equally delicious and just as indulgent.

For mains I chose the homemade pasta topped with a generously creamy burrata that melted beautifully into the sauce, whilst my boyfriend went for a classic lasagne layered with rich bolognese ragù, a comforting and hearty dish.

And because pasta always calls for something fresh alongside it, we shared the Checkpoint salad of crisp lettuce, tangy orange, sweet apple and crunchy walnuts.

Everything was genuinely divine, from the flavours to the presentation. The experience was made even more memorable with the wonderfully friendly and attentive service, the kind of hospitality that makes you feel welcomed and at ease.

Beautiful interiors, exceptional food, and warm, thoughtful service, Checkpoint Ciao Osteria delivers all three effortlessly. If you’re craving Italian cuisine with a Mediterranean soul while in Tulum, this new spot is absolutely worth a visit ❤

Tulum Eats; Every Night’s A Party!

March 3, 2026

The foodie options in Tulum are abundant with plenty of variety, from fine dining restaurants offering lots of alternative cuisines, to health food cafes and of course traditional Mexican street food. However for me when dining out on holiday, it’s more than just the food I’m looking to impress me, but the atmosphere and ambience needs to be on point too.

Now I’m not usually one to necessarily need entertainment with dinner, although we discovered that’s exactly what they like to offer in Tulum at some of the top rated restaurants.

Starting with one of my favourite restaurants for Greek food in Tulum, we visited Ilios twice during our trip and each time had a brilliant experience.

Every night at 9pm there is a fire show and acrobats to entertain guests around the restaurant floor as they enjoy their meal.

It’s quite the spectacle and lasts about half an hour, so you’re getting a great show for free alongside your dinner.

The evening we went for my birthday celebrations we even smashed plates Greek style and had sparklers to dance with, it was such a laugh!

Moving on to Tora where they serve delicious Japanese cuisine, later in the evening we were handed sparklers for a boogy as the DJ played the drums live during his set.

The waiters all get involved too making for a super fun and lively atmosphere amongst diners even after the sparklers are over.

We had a delightful spread of Japanese dishes including the smoked and poached salmon sushi roll which was divine.

Another top restaurant I want to mention for its aesthetic interiors and delectable food is Chambao.

As a traditional steak and grill, the menu is classic dishes done to perfection.

The bread basket with an assortment of three different butters to start was outstanding, and I’m not even usually a big bread basket lover.

I opted for the pear, goat cheese, walnut salad which was beautifully presented and packed with flavour and goodness.

Whilst my boyfriend had an epic steak burger with all the extras, we couldn’t fault a thing.

Although there is no entertainment at this place, the aesthetic interiors and indoor-outdoor style of dining make for a wonderfully romantic setting for a date night dinner.

The only other place I will mention, but save the details as it deserves its own separate post, is Gitano Jungle.

We went here on our final night and were treated to an awesome show complete with disco balls hanging from the jungle canopy.

So that’s a roundup of my top restaurants in Tulum if you’re looking for an elevated dining experience beyond just the food; because every night’s a party in Tulum ❤

Cosy Date Night Season

December 15, 2025

Winter has a way of gently nudging us indoors and this past month felt like a celebration of cosy date nights, good food, and leaning fully into that slower, more romantic pace.

With darker evenings and a definite chill in the air, we found ourselves gravitating towards warm, welcoming spaces and making a bit of a ritual out of going out for Saturday night dinner together.

One of our newest local favourites has been The Falcon, a traditional English pub that’s recently changed hands and undergone a renovation inside.

It still has that classic pub charm, but with a fresh, thoughtful update that makes it feel extra inviting.

The menu strikes the perfect balance between comforting pub grub and slightly more unexpected dishes.

My absolute favourite is their Durban jackfruit curry; rich, warming and packed full of flavour, it’s the perfect winter dish.

There’s something so reassuring about having another lovely pub right on our doorstep, somewhere that already feels like it’s becoming part of our routine.

Another highlight was heading into Farnham town for a slightly different kind of date night at Thai Lotusland. 

Thai food is one of our favourite cuisines and we have a few regular local spots we like to go, but this one is new to our rotation.

We dined in the sunken seating area for a change, instantly making the evening feel more intimate and a little bit special.

It was fun experiencing something alternative to the usual wining and dining setup and the food was every bit as comforting and flavourful as we’d hoped.

We also revisited one of our old-school favourites, Côte Brasserie a few weeks back.

It’s one of those places that never disappoints with delicious French food, faultless service, and romantic vibes that are always on point.

The Côte in Lion and Lamb Yard is particularly lovely, and by the end of November it was already feeling extra cute and festive with the Christmas lights twinkling outside.

The pinnacle of date nights this season though, was without a doubt our evening at the Four Seasons Hampshire. 

Visiting in early December meant we just missed the pre-Christmas rush, making our experience feel even more exclusive.

We booked drinks and dinner in the Wild Carrot Bar and having worked there over three years ago now, it certainly was nostalgic to be back.

The opulent Christmas decorations throughout the hotel were even better than I remembered, from the ginormous Christmas tree by the grand staircase next to reception…

…to the impressive gingerbread village displayed along the central walkway.

It’s the kind of place that makes you feel like a kid in a fairytale.

After a scenic stroll around the grounds, we were seated in the stunning bar area which gives serious old money vibes with its plush sofa seating, elegant chandeliers, and feature fireplace.

As you’d expect, the service was impeccable and the food didn’t disappoint.

After some complimentary nibbles with our aperitif, I opted for a classic prawn cocktail served with brioche soldiers, while my boyfriend went for the BBQ chicken burger and fries.

Comforting, indulgent, and perfectly done, nothing beats simple food done excellently.

If you’re looking for festive, cosy vibes with a sprinkle of class and elegance, Four Seasons Hampshire really is the place to go.

So that’s my round-up of a winter’s month filled with wonderful date nights; wholesome, cosy, and full of all the aesthetic, stylish touches a girl could wish for.

It’s been a reminder that sometimes the simplest plans done well, are the ones you end up cherishing the most ❤

English Country Pub Fine Dining; The Mutton

September 14, 2025

Since opening a few years ago, The Mutton at Hazeley Heath has been a firm favourite local pub for Friday drinks as well as their award winning menu of traditional pub dishes done to a five star standard.

So this Saturday we decided to book a table in the restaurant for date night and as always enjoyed a delectable meal complete with top service.

Now we are well into September, it felt like the last weekend I could get away with white jeans and mules, so I wore my Topshop white slim fit jeans paired with a ruched detail backless top, my gorgeous Senso pink satin mules and a Cult Gia dupe mini box bag.

Blush pink hues for date night is a timeless classic and I would’ve worn my pearls to complete the look, but with a nigh neck top on I opted for statement gold drop earrings which I recently got from Na-kd.

With 8:15pm reservations, we arrived at The Mutton for 8pm to have an aperitif. I sipped a classic Dirty Martini which was delightful; I felt very Carrie Bradshaw from Sex & The City ❤

The interiors at The Mutton are very classic countryside chic with a subtle modern twist, and the low lighting in the restaurant makes for the perfect sophisticated evening atmosphere.

To start we shared the sourdough bread with charcoal butter and homemade spicy pickles which were divine.

For main course I ordered the chargrilled sea bream, crushed potatoes, seasonal vegetables and white wine sauce with a side salad, whilst my boyfriend had the sirloin steak with nduja butter, fries, pickled shallot, parmesan and rocket salad.

I had a glass of the Gyotaku, Christophe Mittnacht Alsace, French white wine upon recommendation from the waitress as a pairing to my fish dish.

As always it was a 10/10 meal presented beautifully, cooked to perfection and full of incredible flavour.

We savoured every last bite and with clean plates all round, we left very satisfied indeed.

The bill came to just under £150 so its certainly on the pricier side for a meal out, but definitely worth it for a special occasion or a treat for date night.

The Mutton at Hazeley Heath remains our top spot for fine dining in Hampshire, so be sure to try it for yourself if you’re in the area – https://themuttonathazeleyheath.co.uk

Hampshire Eats; The Mutton

September 1, 2024

Living in the quaint countryside of Hampshire, we are spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing a pub which serves great food too. From more traditional pubs serving up hearty homemade, traditional dishes, to the fantastic array of gastro pubs offering high quality, premium restaurant standard dishes, there’s a variety of options for all occasions.

One of our local pubs The Mutton, has become a favourite of ours for date night when we’re looking for something more premium than your average pub restaurant. Having reopened following a full renovation a few years ago, it’s made its mark on the food scene in Hampshire and has become known as one of the best gastro pubs in the area.

With a 7pm reservation on the final day in August, we were hoping to dine outside on their stunning terrace with sunset views over the neighbouring fields. Unfortunately the overcast evening scuppered our hopes of an al fresco date night dinner.

Regardless, we had a wonderful dining experience in the cosy restaurant area of the pub along with my parents who joined us for the meal as well. We started with drinks in the bar area so I kicked the evening off with my go-to cocktail of choice, a Margarita.

I couldn’t resist a picture with my margs which matched the green details of my outfit just perfectly; we love a green moment ❤

At 7:30pm we were seated at our table which was a super cute and cosy corner with sofa bench seating and plenty of cushions for extra comfort.

We started with a few small plates to share including the bang bang cauliflower, the beef spring roll with pack choi and a basket of sourdough bread with smoked butter.

This bang bang cauliflower was exquisite, the perfect blend of Chinese spices without the heavy coating of batter you might expect from a dish like that.

My main course was the chargrilled sea bass served with crushed potatoes, locally grown market vegetables and a white wine sauce.

They do fish really well at The Mutton and this sea bass was made particularly special by the white wine sauce which we poured over the dish ourselves upon it being served.

My boyfriend had his usual order of the sirloin steak served with fries and this delicious salad of rocket, parmesan and pink pickled shallot.

For my parents it was the pesto gnocchi with burrata for my mum, then my dad had the sea bass too as well as a side order of the irresistible parmesan truffle fries.

We skipped dessert and just had some coffees to finish as we’d had starters. All of the food was as usual a 10/10 and service very friendly and attentive. We were enjoying ourselves so much we were the last ones out of the restaurant at 10:30pm!

Whilst I think the food is very well priced for the incredible standard, it’s the wine which tends to make the final bill on the pricier side compared to the average pub.

However we are never disappointed with our experience at The Mutton and it is amazing to have such a brilliant pub right on our doorstep for when we do fancy spoiling ourselves.

The Mutton combines creative seasonal dishes with more traditional pub favourites, all made using the very best of British ingredients. If you’re in the area you must visit The Mutton for lunch or dinner for an elevated, quintessential British pub experience – https://themuttonathazeleyheath.co.uk

LUSH Event; Seasons Surrey

September 26, 2021

Seasons Kitchen, Farm Shop & Street Food at Lavershot Barns, brings together fabulous food and drink all wrapped up in one unique experience. From organic, locally sourced produce used to create the Restaurant and Street Food menus, to the bespoke designers from Lush Landscapes and on site florist at Lilys Flowers, Seasons Surrey is your one-stop weekend destination to unwind, shop and dine in style.

With an invite to a private event hosted this Friday by Lush Landscapes, I was lucky enough to experience Surrey’s latest hotspot for an after work cocktail accompanied with some delicious street food too. Kicking off with a glass of bubbly, we explored the gorgeous grounds designed by the team at Lush Landscapes; how idealic to sit in front of this chic fire pit with a glass of prosecco as the sun went down over the farm.

As the saxophone played into the evening, we took our seats at our table and ordered some street food from the extensive menu inspired by worldwide cuisine. From a healthy Chinese dragon rice bowl, to a German hotdog and Greek lamb flatbread, there was something for everyone. I opted for the plant based American style burger with fries – a classic which certainly didn’t disappoint.

Once the sun went down, the Ministry of Sound DJ took to the decks and I was feeling those Ibiza vibes as we sipped our cocktails amongst such gorgeous surroundings. I’m already planning our next trip to Seasons Surrey to browse some special treats in the Farm Shop and of course sample their Michelin star Restaurant.

Thank you Lush Landscapes for hosting such a wonderful event! Visit Seasons Surrey and explore all that they have to offer for yourself here – https://www.seasonssurrey.co.uk