Hudson and Hudson, so good they named it twice!

My Sunday evening involved me feeling extremely full and satisfied after a late afternoon lunch at Hudson and Husdon in Colchester, Essex. Hudson and Hudson is a hidden gem situated just off the main road. It's a beautiful artisan kitchen and larder, which is suitable for any occasion.

Let's run Hudson and Hudson past my three trusty questions:

1. How much is it going to set me back?

They are currently running an amazing value set menu of two courses for around £16.00 or three for just £19.00. Obviously myself and my lesser half decided, being the fatties we are, on the three courses. The overall cost? Two three course meal's, a side dish, a soft drink and a large glass of Sauvignon Blanc for £50.75. Incredibly reasonable for the amount of food we consumed!!

2. Is the alcohol affordable?

Yes! Approximately £6.00 for a large glass of wine and the possibility to purchase your favourite bottle to take home from the on site larder. Can it get any better! From their twitter account I noticed they are offering a delicious variety of cocktails. Hudson and Hudson also have a vast variety of beers and wines.

3. What's on the menu?

Being the set Sunday lunch menu there was a choice of approximately three dishes for each course. My choices were, for starter, a delicious duck liver parfait accompanied with warm bread. For mains, I decided on the beef. It was accompanied by a huge Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes, a giant carrot, a scrumptious ham and shredded cabbage dish and me being the piggy I am, ordered a side dish of cauliflower cheese. The cauliflower cheese was one of the best I have ever tasted, and what made it even better was my lesser half dislikes cheese so I had the whole dish to myself! The beef itself was well cooked and melted in the mouth, unfortunately mine was a little fatty, but nothing to affect my overall opinion of the meal. For desert I indulged in a chocolate fondant accompanied with Chantilly cream and cherries, a incredibly naughty dish but oh so delicious.

I would recommend Hudson and Hudson for a Sunday Roast, a tasty treat from their larder or a evening out over the weekend. Their website is still under construction but I advise you to keep checking and subscribe to their mailing list, http://www.hudson-hudson.co.uk you can also keep up to date by liking them on Facebook or following them on twitter, @HudsonandHud 

The food is good, I'm not kidding Yew!

After a recent visit to the Yew Tree, I decided to give it a cheeky review and run it past my 3 key points of dining out:

1. How much is it going to set me back?

2. Is the alcohol affordable?

3. What's on the menu?

 

My lesser half and myself ventured here after craving a Sunday Roast. The Yew Tree was a pub that holds fond memories from past family meals and I was hoping it wouldn't disappoint. The Yew Tree is a beautiful, picturesque, traditional pub in the village of Great Horkesley and is part of the Chef and Brewer chain.

 

I started my meal with a bubble & squeak which was delicious. The potato cake was well complimented with a free range egg and succulent hollandaise sauce. My lesser half had sticky beef noodles, which naturally I had to taste and must say it was pretty moreish. Was such a generous portion and would have done most people for a main meal!

 

Being a Sunday it would have been rude to order anything but one of the their roast dinners. The choice being gammon, rack of pork loin, topside of beef or Norfolk turkey breast. We both decided on the topside of beef with all the trimmings which was cooked to perfection. Being the fatty I am, I also added pigs in blankets and cauliflower cheese from their vast selection of scrummy sounding side dishes. My only criticism would be the roast potatoes, they were a little small and lacking in crispiness. Unfortunately we were both stuffed and couldn't manage a desert.

 

For those with children they also offer a great children's menu with starters, mains and deserts!

 

So in answer to my three points:

1. Very reasonably priced:
    - Starters ranging from £3.49 - £6.49
    - Mains ranging from £8.99 - £15.99 

    - Deserts ranging from £3.29 - £5.99

2. I was unfortunately the designated driver on this occasion so stuck to the diet coke however looking at the wine menu your averaging around £4.50 for a 175ml glass. They also over cask ales, ciders and soft drinks. I'd say they are all adequately priced.

3. I attempted to get your taste buds tingling with my review above but why not have a look on their website for the menu. As well as upcoming events and deals such as signing up to their online club and receiving a free starter or pudding. http://www.chefandbrewer.com/pub/yew-tree-great-horkesley-colchester/c1249/