For my 2000th post, I debated going back to my very first Insta posts and resharing, then decided they were too rubbish 😂
I considered running a new giveaway, but the timings didn't work out (keep your eyes peeled, though, more giveaways coming soon!)
So instead, I've decided to introduce myself properly!
I'm Emily, I'm in my early 40s, and I started this Insta account (it was BristolBites back then) in November 2011. In 2023, we moved to Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, to be closer to family, hence the name change!
Scroll through and you'll find recipes, product reviews, new foodie finds, food and drink venue reviews, hotels we've stayed at, exciting UK attractions and more: a bit of everything food, drink and UK travel-related!
I'll eat almost anything (grapefruit being the big exception), but Turkish food is my absolute fave...and I'm curious by nature - I'm always seeking out new foods, drinks and places to try! From cooking new things at home to discovering new favourite places, I'm excited to keep sharing my finds with you all! 🥰
I love a good meal that has loads of different flavours, which is why I love restaurants that offer tapas/sharing plates! At home, I tend to make a lot of "bowl meals" incorporating a number of different elements for a real flavour feast.
Some of you may have seen some of these on my stories, but I thought I'd share some of our recent evening meals in one carousel post! I have a bit of a thing about roasted sweet potato chunks, clearly 🤣
Which of these would you choose? 👀
Meal planning | evening meal ideas | dinner ideas | easy recipes | easy evening meals | burger bowl | mezze bowl | hummus bowl
We're big fans of the @tesco cinnamon tear & share bun in our house, so when I spotted two new flavours in our local big Tesco, we obviously had to try them!
First up, the tiramisu tear & share bun, described as a "sweet bun with dark chocolate chips, cocoa and coffee filling, topped with mocha flavour full fat soft cheese icing and cocoa powder". Like the cinnamon version, the bun itself was beautifully soft and chewy, the chocolate chips adding texture and richness, and the coffee flavour nicely pronounced. The creamy frosting definitely gave tiramisu vibes, big fan of this product!
The birthday cake tear & share bun is a "sweet bun with raspberry flavour filling, topped with vanilla flavour full fat soft cheese icing and multi coloured sugar strands". There's just enough raspberry flavour to keep it interesting, and that combined with the vanilla frosting and sprinkles definitely give that birthday cake flavour! Unlike the cinnamon one, though, I don't think I'd eat the birthday cake sharing bun for breakfast, more as a dessert or a treat!
These Tesco sharing buns are priced at £3.50 each, which I feel is pretty fair - you don't need much at a time!
Which of the three is your favourite?
Could this be the most retro tea room in Suffolk?
Plastic floral tablecloths, artificial flowers galore, vintage crockery, old metal advertising signage adorning the walls...and a (laminated, of course) menu with pricing that feels far too low for the 2026 climate.
Swipe through the photos to see this Suffolk café in its full glory - and for location details! If you're a fan of all things vintage/retro, it may be one to visit!
(Plus @suffolkadventuregolf is on the same site, so it's a convenient place to refuel after a game of crazy golf).
Full review coming soon!
[ad - gifted] Want to upgrade your salt and pepper chips? Use waffle fries to make your fakeaway more fancy!
These skin-on, gluten-free and vegan waffle fries from @lambwestonathomeukie are suitable for both air fryer and oven, and their lattice shape means more surface area for the salt and pepper seasoning 😋 Find them exclusively in the freezer aisle at @morrisons - along with their equally delicious Thick Cut Pub Chips!
#LambWeston #PubChips #WaffleFries #MealsAreMoreFun
*Gifted via @gifta_uk
[ad - gifted] I think this may be the best crazy golf in Suffolk!
Suffolk Adventure Golf in Sudbury offers 23 holes, all of which are Suffolk-themed - you'll end up learning a lot about local dragons, ugly trees, famous residents of the county and more!
There's a really nice variety of holes at this Suffolk crazy golf course, including tunnels, holes for the balls to drop through, marble run-style elements and even one hole where the ball travels down a little stream to get to the hole. Add in the animatronics and it's a really fun course with something new to enjoy at every hole.
When we went, there was a real mix of people, from families with young kids to couples enjoying it as a date activity. When you've finished, you can head over to Old Joe's Tea Room on-site for a drink and a bite to eat.
Tickets are priced at £10 for adults, £8 for kids, or buy a family ticket (2 adults, 2 kids) for £30. Check out @suffolkadventuregolf to find out more!
Suffolk days out | things to do in Sudbury | Sudbury activities | family activities in Suffolk | crazy golf in Sudbury
We visited @finneganswhiskers - the only cat café in Suffolk! If you're a cat lover, it's well worth getting yourself over to Sudbury to visit: book a one-hour slot and immerse yourself in the world of the six resident felines, while enjoying delicious coffee and beautiful homemade sweet and savoury bakes. All of the cats have their own personalities, and are clearly very happy and well cared for, which is lovely to see! Our first visit, but certainly won't be our last!
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#ad Water's great to cook pasta in, right? I mean, it works, but does it add protein and collagen, flavour and comfort to your finished pasta dish?
Nope.
That's why I've made this tortelloni piccata using @oxo_uk Chicken Bone Broth instead. By cooking the pasta directly in the broth (with some other ingredients too), it makes for a tasty, easy one-pot meal you'll want to eat again and again.
To serve 3-4 people, you will need:
- 60g unsalted butter
- 3 cloves of garlic, crushed
- 3 tbsp plain flour
- 750ml OXO Chicken Bone Broth (you'll need two cartons)
- 600g fresh tortelloni
- Zest of half a lemon and juice of a whole lemon
- Small handful of chopped fresh parsley
- Small handful of capers
- Grated Parmesan, to serve
1. Melt your butter in a pan large enough to hold the tortelloni. Add the crushed garlic, and cook for around 30 seconds until fragrant.
2. Add the flour, whisk well to combine and cook, still stirring, for around a minute until golden.
3. Gradually whisk in your OXO Bone Broth, a small amount at a time, and bring to a simmer.
4. Add your tortelloni and cook, stirring regularly to avoid it catching on the bottom of the pan, until done. It may take slightly longer than the packet instructions as the pasta will not be fully submerged in the liquid.
5. Remove the pan from the heat, then stir through the parsley, capers, lemon juice and lemon zest. Serve topped with grated Parmesan.
It's one of many ways you could use OXO Bone Broth...I've tried it as a ramen base, as a comforting drink...how do you use bone broth?
OXO Bone Broth is nourishing - protein contributes to a growth in muscle mass, enjoy as part of a varied and balanced diet and healthy lifestyle. #madewithoxo #madewithxox #OXO
Santon Downham, in the heart of Thetford Forest, is a tiny little village with a population of only around 240 people. However, it's also a popular spot for walkers, hikers and riders - and has a fab wild swimming/paddle boarding/kayaking spot at St Helen's Picnic Site.
It's also home to @brewand.bloom - a gorgeous little tea garden that's open Friday to Sunday during the warmer months. Just look for the pink gate and the blackboard outside and you'll find yourself in a beautifully designed, secluded garden, where tea, coffee and cakes are served from a beautiful retro caravan. It's a stunningly serene spot and the owners are SO lovely - highly recommend a visit (and the carrot cake) if you're ever in the area! Just remember it's cash only 😊
I'd say this place definitely fits the description of a Suffolk hidden gem 😉
[ad - gifted] Does size really matter? Well, in this case I definitely have no complaints 😉
These serious slabs are from @chunkfudge1 - and they definitely live up to the name! It's not just the size that's a selling point, though: these guys create fudge slabs in all sorts of exciting flavours - from Billionaires to Banoffee Pie, Maple Waffle to Mini Egg - and when I say they're LOADED, I'm not lying.
I was sent a box of three to try (currently 3 for £20 on the Chunk Fudge website), and went for:
• Lemon Meringue Pie, with its delicious zesty flavour and plenty of meringue and digestive biscuit pieces, topped with a generous amount of white chocolate
• Bakewell Tart, with an authentic cherry Bakewell flavour, vanilla fondant icing and an entire Bakewell tart inside
• Tiramisu, with rich and decadent vanilla, espresso and dark chocolate flavours, and even pieces of ladyfinger biscuit inside!
Use code BREAKSANDBITES for 10% off your first order over £18, and thank me later 🤤
Which of these flavours would you reach for first?
Finally made it to Lark in Bury St Edmunds, and it won't be the last time! We chose the kitchen selection menu, priced at £65 per head on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday lunchtimes: an incredible variety of flavours, textures and techniques.
One of the standout dishes for me was the earthy mushroom arancini with a serious intensity of flavour, made even more decadent by the Périgord truffle shavings on top.
And can we please take a minute for the El Capricho Ox Pie in the fifth photo? Dense, chewy pastry cut open to reveal the tenderest of meat inside, as well as a bone filled to the brim with creamy, rich marrow, served surrounded by parsley sauce with a fresh herb salad on top.
I totally get the hype. Thanks @lark.restaurant and @chefjamescarn for a great first experience!
#larkrestaurant #burystedmunds #suffolk #suffolkfood
[ad - gifted via @invyted.app ] You've had a busy day. You deserve a treat.
And these frozen chocolate-covered raspberries from @hidden.fruits definitely hit the spot!
Big, juicy British raspberries, frozen at their peak ripeness, enrobed in layers of ethically-sourced Belgian chocolate...what's not to love?
Hidden Fruits is a small family-run business, and it's clear they're passionate about creating premium, decadent treats. Find these in the frozen aisle at @sainsburys - which are you reaching for first?
#HiddenFruits #BritishBerries #FreezerFind #ad