Jive Kitchen opening! Mexican Street food in Norwich

I went to the opening night of Jive Kitchen last week. It’s gone into the old spot that was Le Bistro on the corner of exchange street which is a top notch location with a nice view over the iconic Norwich marketplace. Mexican food and generally anything edible with a kick of spice is right up my street so when I heard about the couple that are behind Jive Kitchen, who picked up their love of the cuisine from their travels in Mexico and combined that with existing chef skills- I had to be one of the first to check out what they had done to the place.

On entering I saw something so eye-catching that I have never come across before and the had used pennies to decorate the stairs as you go up to the restaurant.  thrifty and decorative way to empty your piggy bank but seriously in the candlelight it was very very effective. img_1350

When we got inside we were welcomed with either a glass of Prosecco or a margarita, the anticipated launch was clearly very popular and both floors of dining barely had a spare chair with lots of guests standing too. Clearly this was the place to be-the newest addition to the Lanes area of the fine city. Me and my OH took a spot at the bar to soak up the atmosphere, get a F-row view of the cocktails being made and in a hope to be first in the rotation of mini Mexican canapés as the came down the stairs. (L-R Pork crackling with guacamole, mini beef soft shell tacos, refried bean cakes)

 

 

We had a few drinks while we were there and tested out their lager choices (We had Modelo and Corona), tried a full size Margarita and cracked open their gold patron which they introduced a new twist of shooting with a lick of chipotle tabasco before. They were the biggest shots I’d ever done so by this time after just a few bite size nibbles I was pretty half cut!

 

 

The decor is the rustic distressed look with exposed brick walls, raw wood tables and cracked paint walls and woodwork with industrial style hanging bulb lighting which does suit the place and gives it a warm vibe.

 

 

I’m looking forward to revisiting now they’re officially open to try a full meal, you can take   a ganders at the menu HERE!! Good luck to guys behind this, I hope they see great success, I love Norwich for having so many unique independents, it keeps it special. I’m sure I’ll be a frequent visitor as my new work place in a few weeks Jarrolds is dead opposite.

Has anyone tried the main menu themselves? What did you think?

Thanks for reading!

Love Holly xx

My bedroom makeover <3

I am absolutely buzzing to redecorate my bedroom and I’m loving the rose gold and blush decor with cool whites and grey! Below is some inspiration rooms from pintrest and a selection of things that I want to buy from Ikea (images 3, 7 11), Maison Du Monde (images 1,5,9,10,12,15,18)  and Dunelm Mill (images 14 and 17)  There is gonna be some serious flat pack assembly and bill credit card bills going on in my house!!!

Has anyone got any ideas that would look great? Or wanna share a room you love?

Love Holly xx

Jimini’s edible insects! Bon Appetit!

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So my latest post is a slightly different subject matter to what I usually write about but when I started to talking on twitter to Jimini’s (twitter: @jiminisFood) I thought ‘Hey, I’ll try anything’

For some time now I’ve been aware that eating insects has been very popular and a standard element of the menu in Asia and there had been recent whispers that this niche snacking choice could potentially be the latest foodie trend to hit the UK too, so as a lover of all things a bit different and a lust for being ahead of the game I grabbed this opportunity. Raphaelle who I had been in contact with via e-mail was kind enough to send a selection of products from paprika grasshoppers and soya mealworms to all the flavours of energy bars they make!!

So to get a really good view I set out with testing the mealworms and grasshoppers as nibbles to have with having a few vinos with my family.

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The meal worms were my preferred choice of the 2 and both of them had a real crunch to them, my boyfriend really liked them and sat happily munching away and my young cousin thought that the idea of eating bugs was very cool but for me the fact that they look like what they are I did struggle to get over. I think that these would appeal to people maybe well travelled, kids and be great for parties looking for a twist with the buffet.

What I really wanna focus on though is the fruit protein bars!!

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These are made with cricket flour which is 60% protein and these are great. Think Nakd bars and Trek bars but with more fruit and a really generous amount of nuts for energy. They really are nice. Coming currently in 4 flavours, apple & cinnamon,  apricot, goji and chia,  dark chocolate and fig,  bananas and dark chocolate. All coming in at under 200 calories and packed with nutrients and antioxidants, high in fibre, not to mention dairy free and gluten free along with organic they are the perfect pre/post workout choice, great for a snack or as breakfast on the go. They are full of flavour and do not taste packed with artificial sweeteners and flavours like some fruit bars do. They taste fresh! Look out for these bars because I love them! All products are made in France at Jiminis HQ! Currently stocked in Selfridges if you fancy grabbing yourself some and be sure to check out the Jimini’s site too (jiminis.com) although at the moment you’ll need to be a dab hand at French, I’m just happy looking at the pictures!

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Has anyone else been lucky to try any of Jimini’s delights? Or tried insects in general? Thanks again to the folks at Jimini’s for letting me try your products!

Love Holly x