Hello Happy Bunny

Last week, I met up with my sister in Exeter. Unfortunately due to the recent bad weather we had a little train trouble but when we eventually arrived, the first thought that came to our mind was FOOD! We had a craving for Italian food and originally we wanted to go to Jamie’s Italian but it was fully booked. Nearby is Carluccio’s, which my sister said was quite good so we headed there. The front of Carluccio’s resembles a shop with cakes, biscuits and other Italian sweet treats which you can buy to takeaway. Behind this is a dining area – it doesn’t look particularly impressive or restaurant like. It looks like a cafe (indeed some people just ordered tea and coffee). The menu looks quite good – it displays Italian dishes with impressive ingredients. We opted for the Christmas menu – 2 courses for £17.99. I opted for the Risotto Festivo (a mushroom and spinach risotto with porcini oil and cheese wafers on top) and the Panettone with vanilla ice cream – I went for the more Christ...

From last month the Rhino Trail has seen several rhinos specially designed by local artists in Exeter and along the English Rivera. I saw two rhinos last time I had a shopping trip in Exeter. Autumn season also sees Starbucks bring back the Pumpkin Spice Latte, a perfect way to warm up in the cold weather!

Some photos from Exeter… This is a photo of a pancake from Buffet City. We went for lunch £5.95 per person. There is plenty of choice, although sadly not much that I liked. I found it a little bit greasy, overcooked and lukewarm. It is pretty much standard fare Chinese food, eat as much as you like. Desserts are also included, again a little uninspiring. One thing I like is the pancake station, which they cook and prepare in front of you. This is a chocolate and banana pancake. This is a friendly bear in the cathedral quarter…and below are some shots of Exeter Cathedral. It was a lovely sunny day with blue sky! I also did a bit of shopping – a box of macaroons from Patisserie Valerie (I was also going to buy some Portuguese egg tarts, but they had sold out when I returned!) and some chocolate from Hotel Chocolat.

Exeter Quayside, just a few minutes walk from the city centre, boasts fantastic river views, independent art and gift shops, restaurants and cafes. There are also swans and ducks.

Tea On The Green ( www.teaonthegreen.com ) is a popular eating establishment for locals and tourists, situated just beside Exeter Cathedral. Serving hot and cold food, coffee and teas and fresh homemade cakes, it draws a lot of appeal. I ventured in about half past 2 in the afternoon, just in time for afternoon tea. On the menu, it states that no cream teas or afternoon teas will be served from 12pm to 2.30pm because the kitchen are normally busy with hot food orders, so I have arrived just in time! I ordered the "Exeter" - for £8.45, you get a pot of loose leaf Breakfast Blend English tea, salmon and cucumber sandwiches, and a slice of cake of your own choosing. There were so many that sounded good, but in the end I opted for the Bramley Apple Tart. Salmon and Cucumber sandwiches Bramley Apple Tart, served warm with cream! This is a good value afternoon tea, and I think it is great that you can choose your own cake. I really liked the apple tart, it loo...

Today, I went to Wagamama for a quick lunch. I had the Yaki Udon (thick rice noodles with shrimp, prawn, eggplant, pepper, pickled ginger and egg) and a new addition to the menu, a Hirata Steamed Bun. There are three different flavours of the Hirata Steamed Bun - the one I ate was the Korean Beef and Onion Bun. Yaki Udon Hirata Steamed Bun Delicious!