Skip to content
  • Whitefield Weather Station
  • Family
    • Family Tree
    • Holidays, Trips & Great Days Out
    • Parties, etc
    • Our Home
    • Milestones
      • Night Sky
      • Adele & David
      • David
  • You’ll like this story..
  • Home
  • Great Food & Recipes
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
Fifty Four and Counting

Fifty Four and Counting

Blogger, Photographer, Writer – just a good old honest opinion of restaurants, products, services and life in general

Category: British

British food

The Bridge, Prestbury – Probably the Best Fish and Chips I have ever had!

BritishfiftyfourandcountingOctober 15, 2020

Just had lunch in The Bridge in Prestbury, Cheshire on a chilly but sunny day with my wife. We were determined to have some time out together and Prestbury fit the bill. The area here is so quaint and we were pleasantly surprised to find the autumn colours were all around us as we walked…

Continue Reading
BritishfiftyfourandcountingNovember 22, 2019

Dakota Bar & Grill, Manchester – Wow! I was not expecting this in Manchester!

I’ve heard great things about the Northern Quarter of Manchester. In fact the entire city seems to be on a roll.…
AttractionsfiftyfourandcountingSeptember 4, 2018

Royal Yacht Britannia, Leith, Edinburgh, Scotland – Sadly Her Majesty was not aboard when we visited

Globally we have something that the rest of the world truly envies… our monarchy. The Americans can’t get enough of us…
BritishfiftyfourandcountingAugust 13, 2018

Metro Bar and Restaurant, Grassmarket, Edinburgh – Great Food, Good Service and in a Clean Bright Setting

Opposite some of the oldest establishments below Edinburgh Castle on the other side of the road in Grassmarket stands the Metro…
BritishfiftyfourandcountingMay 13, 2018

Blackhouse, The Grill on the Alley, Manchester – Like Steaks? You need to try a Tomahawk!

All over the world specialists exist in every field; people who do something so well that they become well known for…
BritishfiftyfourandcountingJanuary 28, 2018

Dearden Tea Rooms, Haslingden – Quirky tea rooms with great food

Lancashire boasts an enormous amount of well known landmarks, such as Blackpool Tower, the Lancashire Railway and Rossendale’s outdoor ski slope…
BritishfiftyfourandcountingDecember 16, 2017

Oscars Restaurant, Ramsbottom – Not what you’d describe as fine dining

On the edge of Ramsbottom stands The Red Hall hotel, a venue we’ve visited a couple of times for formal dinners…
BritishfiftyfourandcountingJune 1, 2017

The Chocolate Cafe, Henley on Thames – A Riverside Pit Stop for a great lunch

You just don’t say no when offered a cruise along the Thames by friends with a stunning boat like something from…
BritishfiftyfourandcountingMay 4, 2017

Grill on the Alley – Like a reliable friend

Manchester has a surprising number of culinary hot spots where survival is based on high foot fall or in some instances where…
BistrofiftyfourandcountingMarch 30, 2017

The Inn at Whitewell – a worthy trip out for a hearty meal

The Trough of Bowland is a beautiful location worthy of a visit especially on a sunny day. The stunning views, rivers,…
BritishfiftyfourandcountingFebruary 25, 2017

Manchester House – an immersive culinary dining experience

I’ve lived and worked all my life in and around Manchester and for the first 25 years of my work was…
BritishfiftyfourandcountingFebruary 23, 2017

The search is on for this years winners of the ‘Fifty Four and Counting Best ‘Restaurant’, ‘Pub Grub’ and ‘Street Food’ Awards 2017

Spread the word! Fifty Four and Counting 2017 Awards are on! I know .. there are loads of great restaurants out…
BritishfiftyfourandcountingFebruary 18, 2017

Battlers Green Farm, Radlett, Hertfordshire – really nice shopping village and tea rooms

If you’re looking for somewhere to go I doubt you’ll be disappointed with Battlers Green Farm. It’s quaint here, set in…
BritishfiftyfourandcountingFebruary 15, 2017

Nando’s Middlebrook Bolton on Valentine’s Day & Match night

Turning up on a match night for a meal at the Middlebrook  complex in Bolton, which is also home to Bolton…
BritishfiftyfourandcountingFebruary 12, 2017

Prezzo – Mill Hill, London.. surprisingly good food and atmosphere

Entering into the world of Prezzo for the first time in Mill Hill was somewhat of a surprise. I had no…

Posts navigation

Older posts
Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Great Recipes Cooked & Tried
Crushed Pistachios, Cranberries and Salmon Fillet
A Really Healthy Breakfast Cereal
Moist and Succulent Spatchcock Chicken
View All Recipes
Categories
  • +Cars (4)
    • +Car maintenance (1)
    • +Volvo (1)
  • +Chocolate (4)
    • +Hotel Chocolat (2)
  • +Countries (293)
    • +America (3)
    • +Austria (16)
      • +Vienna (8)
    • +Cambodia (10)
      • +Siem Reap (4)
    • +Greece (4)
      • +Rhodes (1)
    • +Holland (32)
      • +Amsterdam (16)
    • +Hong Kong (5)
    • +Israel (1)
    • +Italy (16)
      • +Sicily (8)
        • +Cefalù (2)
        • +Palermo (2)
    • +Poland (2)
    • +Russia (1)
      • +St Petersburg (1)
    • +Scotland (33)
      • +Edinburgh (17)
    • +Spain (8)
      • +Tenerife (4)
        • +Costa Adeje (2)
    • +Turkey (1)
    • +UK (86)
      • +Burnley (1)
      • +Bury (5)
      • +Gatley (1)
      • +Leeds (1)
      • +London (5)
      • +Manchester (23)
      • +Prestwich (2)
      • +Telford (1)
      • +Whitefield (2)
    • +Vietnam (40)
      • +Halong Bay (3)
      • +Hanoi (5)
      • +Ho Chi Minh City (1)
      • +Hoi An (2)
      • +Mai Chau (3)
      • +Mekong Delta (2)
  • +Food (79)
  • +For Grandpas (19)
    • +Child Car Seats (1)
    • +Model Making (4)
    • +Toys (4)
  • +Gardening (3)
  • +Health (3)
    • +NHS (1)
  • +Home Improvements (2)
    • +Bathrooms (1)
  • +Lifestyle products (13)
    • +Clothing (1)
    • +Desk Art (2)
    • +Handy Tips (2)
    • +Jewellery (1)
    • +Leather cases (1)
  • +Music (4)
  • +People (30)
  • +Personal Family Events (9)
    • +Grandson (2)
    • +Mothers Day (1)
  • —Restaurants (235)
    • +Asian (6)
    • +Australian (3)
    • +Bistro (12)
    • —British (25)
      • Battlers Green Farm, Radlett, Hertfordshire - really nice shopping village and tea rooms
      • Blackhouse, The Grill on the Alley, Manchester - Like Steaks? You need to try a Tomahawk!
      • Dakota Bar & Grill, Manchester - Wow! I was not expecting this in Manchester!
      • Dearden Tea Rooms, Haslingden - Quirky tea rooms with great food
      • Grill on the Alley - Like a reliable friend
      • Guy's Thatched Hamlet - “Still great character, worth a visit.. but needs some attention”
      • Healy's Wine Bar & Brasserie, Accrington - “Great place punching above its station!”
      • Manchester House - an immersive culinary dining experience
      • Marks & Spencer's Cafe, Manchester - a really great pit stop!
      • Metro Bar and Restaurant, Grassmarket, Edinburgh - Great Food, Good Service and in a Clean Bright Setting
      • Nando's Middlebrook Bolton on Valentine's Day & Match night
      • Oscars Restaurant, Ramsbottom - Not what you’d describe as fine dining
      • Pizza Express Hale - A popular place.. especially early on a Sunday night!
      • Prezzo - Mill Hill, London.. surprisingly good food and atmosphere
      • Royal Yacht Britannia, Leith, Edinburgh, Scotland - Sadly Her Majesty was not aboard when we visited
      • Starbucks .. they're not all the same!
      • The Bridge, Prestbury - Probably the Best Fish and Chips I have ever had!
      • The Chocolate Cafe, Henley on Thames - A Riverside Pit Stop for a great lunch
      • The Firepit - Rawtenstall .. attentive, great food and fab atmosphere.
      • The Frozen Mop, Mobberley - “Thought if try this place again...”
      • The Inn at Whitewell - a worthy trip out for a hearty meal
      • The Parkfield Inn - a place that's sociable
      • The search is on for this years winners of the 'Fifty Four and Counting Best 'Restaurant', 'Pub Grub' and 'Street Food' Awards 2017
      • The Walled Garden Bistro, Preston - “Just love this place”
      • The Woodside, Worsley, Manchester- “Great Restaurant, but felt like cost cutting on the food side of things”
    • +Chinese (5)
    • +Coffee shops (9)
    • +Dutch (3)
    • +European (12)
    • +Greek (3)
    • +Healthy (16)
    • +Hungarian (1)
    • +Indian (3)
    • +Italian (16)
    • +Lebanese (3)
    • +Master Chef (3)
    • +Mediterranean (12)
    • +Middle Eastern (7)
    • +Polish (1)
    • +Pub Grub (13)
    • +Street food (4)
    • +Tapas (1)
    • +Teppanyaki (1)
    • +Turkish (1)
    • All the Shapes, Prestwich Village - quirky with good food
    • Armenian Taverna - “Quality food in a warm atmosphere”
    • Armenian Taverna - Albert Square back with a modern twist
    • Artisan, Spinningfields, Manchester - Probably the Best Value Sunday Roast ever!
    • Australasia Manchester, Down Under again, but even better this time!
    • Australasia, Manchester – Down Under, Buzzing and Unique
    • Battlers Green Farm, Radlett, Hertfordshire - really nice shopping village and tea rooms
    • Bellisimo Bistro, Burnley - Definitely not what we expected!
    • Blackhouse, The Grill on the Alley, Manchester - Like Steaks? You need to try a Tomahawk!
    • Bocconcino, London - Advance to Mayfair for Authentic Italian food within a Tuscan Setting
    • Croma, Prestwich - A draft with good food
    • Dakota Bar & Grill, Manchester - Wow! I was not expecting this in Manchester!
    • De Bakkerswinkel, Amsterdam - Afternoon Tea but not as we know it!
    • Dearden Tea Rooms, Haslingden - Quirky tea rooms with great food
    • Dooties, Bury - a family gem in an unlikely location
    • Dooties, Bury - Great food and more..
    • Eisvogel Restaurant, Prater, Vienna - its Unfair to label the food average!
    • Flourish Craft Bakery, Watford - Fabulous food located in an unlikely industrial park!
    • Grand Pacific, Manchester - An explosion of flavours bound with atm​osphere
    • Greenberry Cafe, Primrose Hill - The little Gem with an Organic Flavour
    • Grill on the Alley - Like a reliable friend
    • Gusto - Manchester - Italian food for the discerning
    • Guy's Thatched Hamlet - “Still great character, worth a visit.. but needs some attention”
    • Hanoi Street Food Tour.. and the meaning of 'sticky rice!'
    • Healy's Wine Bar & Brasserie, Accrington - “Great place punching above its station!”
    • Isis Hotel and Restaurant, Swinton - “Great food, fabulous pianist on a Thursday night”
    • Jasmine, Chorlton - Every table is taken, it shows how good the food is
    • La Tasca, Trafford Centre - Surprisingly good food and great service
    • Manchester House - an immersive culinary dining experience
    • Manchester House, Spinningfields - Probably the best champagne afternoon tea in Manchester
    • Manchester House, Spinningfields - Where flavour, texture and expectations get a reboot!
    • Marks & Spencer's Cafe, Manchester - a really great pit stop!
    • Metro Bar and Restaurant, Grassmarket, Edinburgh - Great Food, Good Service and in a Clean Bright Setting
    • Moeders Restaurant, Amsterdam - Most likely the most motherly restaurant ever!
    • Nando's Middlebrook Bolton on Valentine's Day & Match night
    • Naturally fast food can be healthy from a motorway services
    • Oscars Restaurant, Ramsbottom - Not what you’d describe as fine dining
    • Pacifica Cantonese, Eccles - “Exceptional food and service ... Genuine 5 stars!”
    • Pacifica Cantonese, Eccles, Manchester - The Place to get Genuine Cantonese
    • Pasha Restaurant - Great food lovely staff but noisy upstairs
    • Piccolo, Gatley, Manchester - Simple Italian food
    • Pizza Express Hale - A popular place.. especially early on a Sunday night!
    • Platzki Restaurant, Manchester - Where Genuine Polish Hospitality is Served
    • Pllek, Amsterdam - OMG! I was not expecting this in a shipping container
    • Porada Whitefield
    • Prezzo - Mill Hill, London.. surprisingly good food and atmosphere
    • Restaurant Mini, Vienna - Hungarian Cuisine at its best
    • Sani Resort, Halkidiki, Greece - Where 5 Stars exceed your expectations
    • Sanity, Abnormality and an Escape from Reality - Porto Sani, Halkidiki, Greece
    • Spice Essence, Kirby Lonsdale - “So good, the head chef of the hotel we stayed at recommended it!”
    • Starbucks .. they're not all the same!
    • Starbucks Middlebrook Bolton
    • Sunset by Australasia, Manchester - A Beach Bar in the City with a Refreshing Twist!
    • Ta'aam, Prestwich - Tasty middle eastern food
    • Teppanyaki Restaurant, Costa Adejé Palace, Great food from a performing chef!
    • The Alchemist, Media City, Manchester - The Asgards have landed.. and they make great food!
    • The Avocado Show, Amsterdam - Probably the Freshest & Healthiest Meal I have ever had!
    • The Bridge, Prestbury - Probably the Best Fish and Chips I have ever had!
    • The Chocolate Cafe, Henley on Thames - A Riverside Pit Stop for a great lunch
    • The Coffee Cup in Hampstead .. popular, food ok, but in need of TLC
    • The Firepit - Rawtenstall .. attentive, great food and fab atmosphere.
    • The Frozen Mop, Mobberley - “Thought if try this place again...”
    • The Parkfield Inn - a place that's sociable
    • The Pavillion Bistro - "Well... I didn't expect this!"
    • The Prachee - a Great taste of India in Prestwich
    • The search is on for this years winners of the 'Fifty Four and Counting Best 'Restaurant', 'Pub Grub' and 'Street Food' Awards 2017
    • The Vine, Whitefield - An original menu designed with style
    • The Walled Garden Bistro, Preston - “Just love this place”
    • The Woodside, Worsley, Manchester- “Great Restaurant, but felt like cost cutting on the food side of things”
    • Too Mai, Hampstead - Fresh food that's just delicious!
    • Trattoria Carppacio, Palmero, Sicily - Great food and value considering its location
    • Twenty Five Hours hotel, Vienna, where they claim to be mad!
    • Vesuvio - “Shame, could so easily be a precious gem but lacks sparkle and presentation”
    • Vlaamsch Broodhuys, Amsterdam - A Delightful lunch in this Rustic Bakery
    • When to Mock a Crispy Duck!
  • +Tech Reviews (1)
  • +Theatre, Cinema and Performance (60)
    • +Cabaret (1)
    • +Canal Café Theatre (1)
    • +Cinemas (8)
      • +Film reviews (3)
      • +Odean Trafford Centre Cinema (1)
    • +Comedy (9)
    • +Drama (1)
    • +Hopemill Theatre (2)
    • +Lowry (1)
    • +Magician (1)
    • +Military Tattoo (1)
    • +Musicals (1)
    • +Palace Theatre, Manchester (1)
    • +the Edinburgh Fringe (11)
    • +Whitefield Garrick (1)
  • +Tour Companies (12)
    • +Big Bus Tour (1)
    • +I amsterdam city card (7)
    • +Lovers Canal Tours (1)
  • +Trains (9)
    • +CAT (1)
    • +GVB (1)
    • +OBB (1)
    • +S-Bahn (1)
    • +Virgin Trains (1)
  • +Travel (167)
    • +Airlines (15)
      • +British Airways (2)
        • +Avios (1)
      • +EasyJet (3)
      • +Hong Kong Express (1)
      • +Jet2 (1)
      • +Vietnam Airlines (2)
    • +Attractions (44)
      • +Amsterdam Museum (2)
      • +Angkor Wat (1)
      • +Ann Franks Museum (2)
      • +Dutch Resistance Museum (1)
      • +Ferris Wheel (1)
      • +Hofburg Palace (1)
      • +Ironbridge Gorge Museums (1)
      • +Jewish Museum (1)
      • +Lovers Canal Tours (1)
      • +Rembrandts House (2)
      • +Rijkmuseum (2)
      • +Royal Coster Diamonds (1)
      • +Royal Coster Diamonds tour (1)
      • +Schönbrunn Palace (1)
      • +The Royal Yacht Britannia (1)
      • +The Tulip Museum Amsterdam (2)
      • +The Willet-Holthuysen Museum (2)
      • +Tiergarten Zoo – Vienna (1)
      • +Verzets Resistance Museum (1)
      • +Vienna (1)
    • +Baltic Cruise (16)
    • +Cathay Pacific (2)
    • +Cruise (1)
      • +Victoria Cruises (1)
    • +Guest Houses (4)
    • +Holiday homes (1)
    • +Hotels (34)
      • +25Hotel – Vienna (1)
      • +Alberi del Paradiso (1)
      • +Atrium Platinum (1)
      • +Cityview Hotel – Hong Kong (1)
      • +Frederico II Palace Hotel (1)
      • +H10 Costa Adeje Palace (1)
      • +Hanumanalaya (1)
      • +Ink Hotel, Amsterdam (2)
      • +Sani Resort (2)
    • +Jet2 Holidays (1)
    • +Manchester International Airport (1)
    • +Taxis (2)
      • +Uber (1)
    • +TransIndus (1)
  • +World Affairs (42)
    • +Greater Manchester Police (1)
    • +Health (11)
    • +UK Politics (10)
Recent Posts
  • Aedes Ars Medieval Village – completed. A really satisfying, forgiving, and original kit to build
  • Sam’s Study, Rolife – A Challenging Miniature Room with detail
  • Mini Model House, Robotime – Challenging to Build, Rewarding when Completed.
  • A Really Surprising Reaction from a Roll On Antiperspirant!
  • Lisbon and its famous Tram – A model worth building
Archives
I decided to turn my hand to something different, I decided to turn my hand to something different, during this lockdown. Having completed a number of projects recently such as the Truck for Max, Medieval Village the Lisbon Tram, I came across a world of miniature model kits. The finished marketing results looked less achievable when first opening the cardboard box that the kit comes in. #craftkits #minihouses #modelmaking #Robotime #Rolife
I have to admit that this pandemic is wearing me d I have to admit that this pandemic is wearing me down.... I actually didn’t put this roll-on under my arms .. but what I did was memorable! #antipersperant #deepheat #Dovemensantiperspirant #rollonantipersperant Find out the whole story at www.fiftyfourandcounting.co.uk/Wordpress/a-really-surprising-reaction-from-a-roll-on-antiperspirant
When Compensation isn’t Compensation! #deliverie When Compensation isn’t Compensation! #deliveries #myHermes I recently had a need to send a parcel and so decided to use MyHermes. I've used them in the past and to be honest never had an issue with their service. On this occasion, due to the lockdown and social distancing I opted for the pickup from my home for an additional 60p rather than the drop off service I've previously used. The following day, Wednesday, I left the package on top of my dustbin as I had instructed, if out, this where the parcel could be found. We're living in very difficult times, I understand this and so was not totally surprised that no one collected by the end of the day. After all I could understand the drivers are probably overloaded. So the following morning, Thursday I again put the parcel out, but once again it was not collected. So Friday morning, I eventually tracked down a number to call MyHermes. After an hour holding on, I was answered by an assistant. "My parcel was not been collected as planned on Wednesday" I said. "Yes that's right" said the customer service agent "The drivers are not collecting from homes. We should put something on the website!" "Oh!… Link: https://fiftyfourandcounting.co.uk/wordpress/when-compensation-isnt-compensation/
2020 Global Pandemic, is this really happening? Th 2020 Global Pandemic, is this really happening? Thank Goodness for the NHS! #Coronavirus #CoVid-19 #Health #healthemergency #NHS #Politics Panic buying, people die-ing, the army on standby, schools and shops closed, self-isolation, hardship and all because of a virus disease that we can’t see. These are unprecedented times. A period like we have never known in our lifetime. So how do we get through all of this? To start with you stay calm and follow government advice. But other than this all we can do is sit this out, keep well and accept that we are all in this together for the long haul. Whilst we’re keeping our act together, attempting to avoid the daily increasing death count, our NHS subject themselves to the dangers of a highly contagious and invisible disease. This week the people of the United Kingdom stood at their front doors and applauded the frontline Hero’s .. those who together protect us from this virus. Our NHS is part of our defence. Fighting a battle like no other. Stay safe. Link: https://fiftyfourandcounting.co.uk/wordpress/2020-global-pandemic-is-this-really-happening-thank-goodness-for-the-nhs/
Lockdown! – Boris calls time!Perhaps an alternat Lockdown! – Boris calls time!Perhaps an alternative approach? # After a softening up of the British people and one final sunny Mothers day, the Prime Minister has finally brought down the curtain and started a very long interval. It's definitely not something we are used to. But I have a view regarding the approach the government has taken. I wonder if others would agree if this would work. What would have been so terrible if the country froze stock markets, stopped businesses from issuing invoices, prevent payment of purchase invoices. No one to receive wages or any bills, no taxes, nothing. No rent to be paid, no rates, mortgages, gas or electric bills. Instead issue every person with essential weekly food vouchers that have a total value of say £90 a week that can only be delivered. This way no one starves, no one profits, and no one is forced to pay any bills. I’m sure there is a flaw in my thinking but what do I know! Link: https://fiftyfourandcounting.co.uk/wordpress/lockdown-boris-calls-timeperhaps-an-alternative-approach/
I amsterdam city card – Amazingly convenient and I amsterdam city card – Amazingly convenient and great value! # We planned a four day leisure weekend in Amsterdam in part because we'd not been to the Netherlands and because a friend was celebrating her 60th birthday and a group of us also planned to be there. The weather forecast left a great deal of uncertainty, apart from an assurance that it would include cold, wet and windy conditions. So we wrapped up warm and set off in our own car to once again use the efficient Meet & Greet service at Manchester Airports Terminal 1. Sadly, after boarding our EasyJet flight, we had to disembark for a later departure as our plane was 'broke' according to the Captain! (Read more about it here) With only a one hour flight we didn't waste much of the day by our delayed departure and on arriving at Schiphol Airport, our train journey to the centre was around 15 minutes using the NS Sprinter. On arrival at Central Station, we collected our 72 hours I amsterdam travel/access cards (€105 each) from a really friendly bunch of people along with maps and guides. Their shop is located within the station. They offer a whole range of travel cards and have an excellent website full… Link: https://fiftyfourandcounting.co.uk/wordpress/i-amsterdam-city-card-amazingly-convenient-and-great-value/
Load More... Follow on Instagram
Recent Posts

  • Aedes Ars Medieval Village – completed. A really satisfying, forgiving, and original kit to build

    February 21, 2021

  • Sam’s Study, Rolife – A Challenging Miniature Room with detail

    February 21, 2021

  • Mini Model House, Robotime – Challenging to Build, Rewarding when Completed.

    February 21, 2021

  • A Really Surprising Reaction from a Roll On Antiperspirant!

    February 21, 2021
Recent Posts
  • Aedes Ars Medieval Village – completed. A really satisfying, forgiving, and original kit to build
  • Sam’s Study, Rolife – A Challenging Miniature Room with detail
  • Mini Model House, Robotime – Challenging to Build, Rewarding when Completed.
  • A Really Surprising Reaction from a Roll On Antiperspirant!
  • Lisbon and its famous Tram – A model worth building
March 2021
M T W T F S S
1234567
891011121314
15161718192021
22232425262728
293031  
« Feb    
TAG Cloud
Amsterdam attractions Austria Baltic bistro boutique hotel Brilliance of the Sea Bury cambodia comedy Coronavirus CoVid-19 Cruise Edinburgh Edinburgh Fringe featured food fresh ingredients good food good value great food Hanoi Health health emergency healthy healthy food I amsterdam city card italian food Italian restaurant Manchester manchester restaurant museum Pandemic prestwich pub grub restaurant restaurants Scandinavia Sicily siem reap theatre travel Vienna Vietnam virus
Copyright © 2018 Fiftyfourandcounting.co.uk. All rights Reserved
Boston Theme by FameThemes