Christmas Blues

Look at the pretty lights! Ooo! This tree, surrounded by artificial snow, is outside the front of the Daffodil Restaurant. Its a bit garish for me but it does make a lovely festive scene. Very Christmassy.

Christmas is a strange time of year. It means all sorts of things to different people. To some it is a Religious celebration, to others its about friends and family, to some its about the presents, and to others its the food, drink and all the seasonal trimmings that make Christmas. To most people its a combination of all these things. Christmas is also a time to look forward with optimism to the coming year, but at the same time remember with fondness those people that are no longer with us, those people that have left our lives. We can look back on mistakes made with wise eyes, missed opportunities with sorrow, and things to come with joy. At this time of year its fine to occasionally have the Christmas Blues.

Curry Corner

The answer to Saturdays puzzle is Curry Corner. And the TV program that the Indian restaurant featured on is F Word, Gordon Ramsey's Channel 4 food show. Each week the best restaurants in different categories go head to head to be crowd Britain's Best Independent Restaurant, unfortunately Curry Corner just missed out on a place in the final, to be broadcast in a few weeks time. But still good on them for beating so many other great Indian eateries.

And the winner of the Cheltenham postcard? Bob The Bolder of Durham Daily Photo. He named the restaurant but not the TV show, but he was still the closest. Congratulations to him.

Nellie

This stone elephant is one of a pair that stand either side of the doorway of a restaurant that has recently starred on television. Ooo, I know, lets have a little competition! Name the restaurant and the TV program and win a Cheltenham postcard. Exciting! Answer and more revealed on Monday.

Dong! Dinner Is Served

We are still having a look around the shops and restaurants in The Suffolks. This figure is one of a pair, ready with a gong, in the window of Indian restaurant B-Ten. I've had a couple of takeaway meals from here and the food is delicious. Best of all if you collect your food you get a discount off of the bill and if they deliver it to your door you get some free beer. A win win situation!

What is your favourite kind of takeaway meal?

Just Desserts

I'm short of photos so time to share a delicious dessert with you all. This is one of the very fine puddings at The Daffodil restaurant - green apple and calvados parfait with blackberry compote. So there!

Past Times

I must say that cocktail drinking at The Daffodil is not one of my regular pursuits, on the other hand pretending I'm Tom Cruise in the film Cocktail at home is! But last Friday we went there for lunch and having a cocktail in the bar was an essential part of the relaxed midday eating experience.

As I've mentioned before, The Daffodil is a former art deco cinema and this photo (which I have fiddled with slightly) looks like it could have come straight from a 1930's silver screen blockbuster.

Pull Up A Chair

Just a quickie today. Its Bank Holiday Monday here so I'm due a rest. This is one of the very comfy chairs in the cocktail bar at the Daffodil restaurant. The lighting in the eatery and bar is perfect for all sorts of arty photos.

Daffodil Stairs

We went to The Daffodil restaurant yesterday for lunch. It is a fantastic restaurant set in a former art deco cinema, and although it has gone through many refurbishments and renovations it still holds onto its wonderful style. There was so much to photograph as well as cocktails to be drunk and delicious food to be eaten. I couldn't decide which photo of the staircase to post, colour or black and white, so went with both. I'll leave you to choose your favourite.

Marley In Rhodes

I'm back! First things first - once again many thanks to my fellow CDP bloggers who lent photos to appear here in my absence, and thanks to those who continued to visit and comment while I was away. Now, on to the holiday snaps!

We had a fantastic week in Rhodes, staying in the village of Pefkos. Lots of lazing by the pool, eating and, of course, drinking! Today and tomorrow I'll share with you a few photos.

The view from our balcony of the bay towards Lardos.

Colourful beach balls and buckets.

Night time view of Enigma restaurant. We ate here a couple of times and sat on the open roof terraces. Lovely.

Bell tower in the neighbouring village of Lindos.

The Greek sense of humour shines through everywhere, like on this sign outside a bar. Who could resist an offer like this?!

More snaps tomorrow.
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Marley In Birmingham

As you may have noticed I've been AWOL over the weekend. One of the reason being our trip to Birmingham (about 50 miles North of Cheltenham) to surprise AJC for her birthday. Phoebe and BFF had been plotting and planning, the result was me and Phoebe sitting in the bar of the hotel where AJC and BFF were staying. Surprise AJC! We went to a great restaurant, Metro, but due to me working yesterday and rubbish transport links (no trains or buses after 9.15pm from Birmingham to Chelt!) we had a fleeting visit, but we enjoyed ourselves none the less. Here are a few photos of our whistle stop tour.

The Council House building in Victoria Square

Mirrors in the Metro Bar and Grill

'Iron: Man' statue by Anthony Gormley in Victoria Square.

The Town Hall all lit up

BFF - thanks for inviting us, it was great to see you both.
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Chairs And Tables

Today's post is in honour of Virginia at Birmingham, Alabama Daily Photo and her fantastic photos in her rapidly growing Table/Chair series. Having often been inspired by her style of photography I thought I'd go a step further today and go for an outright copy! (Hope you don't mind V!)

Over the past few years nearly all of Cheltenham's restaurants and bars have added outdoor seating areas - some a few chairs, others a whole dining room. As the weather here has been summer-like already the al fresco eating areas have emerged early, but the day I got out, camera in hand, the heavens opened and diners were forced back indoors. But what to do with all those chairs? Tip them up and hope for the best!

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Stone Stairs

It's been a long time since I've posted a black and white photo, time to rectify that. These stone stair leads up to the entrance of Pizza Express, opposite the Town Hall. I haven't eaten there in quite a while but the food is good and the restaurant is really nice. I like the simple design of the railings. What do you think?
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Two Things Challenge - Corner / Door

I was hoping to find a door on a corner but it didn't happen! Instead I've got a photo that will make you wonder what is round the corner (no, I don't know!) and below a door that will make you wonder how long did it take to carve that (my guess - a long time!)


To see what others have come up with for this weeks challenge head over to Two Things Challenge.
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Dragon Lamp

Would you fancy a front door lamp like this? I know its a bit ostentatious but it would certainly be a talking point! This dragon lamp is one of a pair that are either side of the entrance to the Thai Emerald restaurant. The eatery produces the best Thai and oriental food for miles around (in my opinion.) They have a wide menu and, if you can't chose what to eat, they offer a buffet style menu with a vast range of dish brought to your table - a great way to try a bit of everything!

Have a great weekend.

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A Pizza Church

Last night Phoebe and I went to one of our favourite restaurants for something to eat, to celebrate the start of our week off of work (Yay!) This is Zizzi's, an Italian restaurant now taking up residence in a former church, which the new owners restored the interior of, keeping nearly all of the original features of this fantastic Gothic Revival style building. The top photo shows the open kitchen, with pizza oven, in the area that was once the altar. As you can see, the place is beautifully lit at night which enhances all of the stone work. The photo below shows the balcony, which is where you'll find the bar. Last night there was someone playing the piano, you can see the lid of the grand piano in the bottom of the photo. Hopefully you'll be able to make out the wooden ceiling with its carved features. If you want to see the outside of the building then check out a previous post here.

Both of these photos were taken with my camera phone, hence the quality.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Art Deco Daffodil

Today's photo is by a guest photographer - Phoebe's Mum P. This is the interior of The Daffodil restaurant. AJC and DJ Groin Strain were down from Manchester for the weekend and the four of us were very kindly treated to lunch at the posh restaurant by P & B (Phoebe and AJC's Mum and Dad.)

The restaurant used to be one of Cheltenham's six cinemas and The Daffodil Cinema opened on 5th October 1922. The cinema remained open until 1963 when it closed its doors for the last time. The art deco building was left to crumble until 1977 when it was converted into a bingo hall and then into an antiques emporium. In 1997 the building was lovingly restored to its art deco glory by new owner Mark Stephens, who opened his restaurant The Daffodil. More recently the buildings interior was redesigned by TV interior designer Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen. Although the design is relatively modern it still has a 1920's feel, with grand sweeping staircases, dramatic lighting and original features. The kitchen is open to the restaurant and sits in the place once occupied by the cinema screen. And, most importantly, the food and service are fantastic.

Thanks again P & B for lunch and the photo! It was good to see AJC and DJ Groin Strain too!

And finally - its my birthday today. Happy Birthday me!

Millennium Plaza

These rather funky, urban looking apartments have just been built on the corner of Portland Street and Albion Street, right on the Inner Ring Road. To my mind its not the best place to live in Cheltenham but I bet there are good views from the balconies and more so the Penthouse. One of the apartments in this development is rented out as an hotel room, which is very odd in a residential building. Well it is round here. This new build sits on the sit of a former restaurant that was doomed from the start. The Millennium Restaurant was a space-age themed diner, and the building stood out like a sore thumb. It was built at the end of the 90's and it had a huge roof that was pitched like a birds wings in mid flight. I wish I had a picture to show you! The place only lasted a couple of years and sat empty for much of the start of the new millennium before being demolished last year. I don't think Regency Cheltenham was quite ready for the New Millennium!

Its A Restaurant!

Yes, the carved stone head on the church with a difference, from yesterdays post, is on the front of a restaurant!

Zizzi's is a great Italian restaurant that took over the building about five years ago. Before that the former church, which was de-consecrated in 1974, was used as the Church Hall for St Philip and St James Church based in nearby Leckhampton. The church, once St James', is in Suffolk Square and is built in the Gothic Revival style. It was built in 1825-30 on land sold by the Earl of Suffolk's daughter, and was designed by local architect Edward Jenkins. It was, and still is, the impressive focal point of the upmarket Suffolk Square. Inside all of the original stone carvings, pillars and balconies still exist; with the open kitchen under the magnificent stained glass window, in the area of the former altar. It is stunning inside and next time I eat there I will take some photos. As a bonus the food is great too!

There was no outright winner from yesterdays quiz. The nearest guess was Vanky, but they have no link to their profile, so I can't give a link to their blog. Therefore the honour of a link goes to Jackie in Glasgow, who came second. Check out her great blog at Glasgow Daily Photo.

Spice Of Life

The Indus restaurant is one of my favourites in town. It serves delicious Indian food, their Naan bread is the best! The front of the building stands out from all those around it, what with its columns and mosaic tiles. And inside it is alive with colour, paintings, bright fabrics and fantastic smells. The staff are friendly and give great service and it isn't that expensive to eat there. And when you leave the ladies are given a flower. Ideal for a night out when you've forgotten to get flowers for your date!

Check out the menu to get your taste buds going!

Ladies That Lunch

The outdoor tables of the restaurants and cafes on the Promenade are full of al fresco diners as we enjoy some lovely early summer weather here in the UK. Cheltenham is known for its shopping and these ladies were obviously taking a well deserved lunchtime rest before continuing on their mission! Credit crunch? What credit crunch?!