BISTRO FRANC LIVERPOOL (MATTYB RECOMMENDS)

Looking for a three course dinner in Liverpool priced at just £12.95? Not possible I hear you cry! Well let me take some time to introduce you to Bistro Franc on Hanover Street, Liverpool. This French restaurant has been operating in the city for a fair few years now and is famous for offering it's patrons a three course pre theatre menu for just that. Cheap? Yes, but is the food any good? With tickets to the Liverpool Empire theatre one evening last week to see the touring production of Rent and without wanting to spend an arm and a leg on dinner; it seemed like the perfect opportunity to try it and find out.

LA BARANTINE EDINBURGH (MATTYB RECCOMMENDS)

With so many tea and cake shops, bakeries and cafe competing with other it is hard to really stand out from the crowd especially when you have opened up in a foodie hotspot such as Edinburgh. Place an Eiffel tower in your window decorated with macarons on the other hand and you are onto a winner! La Barantine's beautiful looking French display is what caught my eye as we wandered around Edinburgh's Grassmarket area one delightfully sunny Wednesday afternoon. So much so that when it came to thinking about somewhere to grab a quick nibble and a pot of tea to refresh our tired little legs, I purposely went back there to go and check them out. The big question was this; is the display just for show or do the goods in there deliver as well?

SCRUMPTIOUS SCRUMPY CHASSEUR

The cold winter evenings drive on and so does the need for a good warm meal in the evening. We can't spend all January eating soups though so what this calls for is a little cheeky chasseur but with my little twist. This veggie friendly stew is perfect for throwing in your favorite winter veg and contains oodles of a good strong scrumpy instead of the traditional wine (well they are both made from fruit at the end of the day so who's bothered). It's a yummy winter warmer that will have you all roasty toasty in no time!