It’s a very personal thing. One man’s gourmet feast is another’s idea of culinary hell. So take our recommendations as you find them….with a generous pinch of Halen Môn smoked sea salt!
Simon was interviewed recently for an article about Restaurants in the North (See Russums and Food & Drink News ) and this got us thinking about where we love to eat in our area.
Hathersage has a popular hotel, some great cafes, a fine deli, some lovely pubs and a couple of great curry restaurants (a regular Sunday night treat!), but these are all a bit too close to home and we might be biased as we know many of the really hard working people who run these places. So we thought we’d mention our current Top 5 favourites in Sheffield…..although it has to be said we are creatures of habit so we might well be missing some amazing places that are just not on our radar.
So in no particular order, other than as we listed them, these are;
We love the ‘speakeasy’ feel of Picture House Social. Look for a discrete sign hung above black doors and head downstairs into the former 1920’s style ballroom and billiard hall of Abbeydale Picture House. Picture House Social is a rare and welcome combination of cool but friendly and welcoming with knowledgeable bar staff creating handcrafted cocktails from a monthly changing menu. They serve brilliant pizzas with a great selection of different toppings (crab, samphire and chilli is a favourite) and to cap it all off, you can play ping-pong (or if you’re good I think they call it table tennis).
Sally and Tim’s vision to revamp this industrial space and create a unique venue is just inspiring. The Chimney House provides the most photogenic backdrop to all kinds of special events. Their team makes every happening feel magic with gorgeous food sourced from local suppliers or made by guest chefs, attention to design detail and a brilliant sense of what makes any gathering a special celebration. Keep an eye on their website and news to bag tickets to amazing events; pop up dinners, candlelit yoga or ridiculously decadent brunch. We’d live here if we could.
A long standing regular haunt that has become a Sheffield institution in its own right. As lovers of an authentic experience it doesn’t get better than this. Matteo and his team are clear about what they do, and as importantly don’t do, and what they do they do brilliantly. Every morning they make batches of paninis using the amazing ingredients they sell in the deli. Their coffee is a unique blend roasted especially for them by local family company Pollards and is rich and dark and makes the perfect afternoon espresso or morning cappuccino. Freshly baked cakes or in Summer gelati artiganale. There is always a buzz about the place, and with walls filled with Italian advert memorabilia and a great mix of old sofas and chairs it just feels like to perfect place to socialise or feel comfortable on your own.
Is without a doubt the best Neighbourhood Café and it’s so good that people from way beyond the neighbourhood head there. Jonny and team programme regular film screenings, and some inspiring acoustic gigs. This feels like the very best Amsterdam has to offer but it’s right here in a leafy burb of Sheffield. Come and play chess, come and have toasties and tea, come on one of their special evenings for pizza. Just come.
Want your food fast but healthy and with fresh, great quality and ‘local where possible’ ingredients? The team behind Street Food Chef honed their Mexican Cantina skills at street stalls around the North before setting up their first premises. Now they have three premises but built steadily and in response to the huge demand they deserve.
So that’s our Top 5! All different but, we’ve realised, with common traits that we applaud and aspire to ourselves at the club. They’re all driven by people and teams who are passionate about authentic food, made with great ingredients and delivered in a relaxed and convivial setting.
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Just an aside, but the picture for this blog comes from the brilliant illustrator and all round top bloke, Lord Bunn. He’s done all our signs at the Club as well as a few of the pictures we have hanging around the place. He’s just done a limited print run of some of his work. So if you’re interested in some great art work for your wall or a damn fine present for someone, you should email his Lordship, The Bunster or maybe just Neil at; mynameisneilbunn@googlemail.com. Tell him the “the Monkey” sent you.
