The last few weeks have been dominated by preparations for Norwich Beer Festival, an event I started to plan in February, along with a lot of other volunteers. This year has been different as the new Bar Manager for the Foreign and Bottled Bar. I have compiled the beer list (for this bar) and learnt all the other roles involved with the running of a bar at the festival.
I have still had time to pop out of the house and sample some of the finest food and drink Norfolk can offer.
I am starting with a brand new place we visited on their 3rd night of opening. Jive Kitchen & Bar is found on Exchange Street in Norwich. They specialise in Mexican street food and I can say that it has been along time since I have tried food that tasted as fresh! They apologised for the delay in getting our order to us, but with food like this it is worth the wait. The menu is small, but seems to be well chosen. The dishes are the right size not to fill you up but to satisfy. I had the prawn starter with Modelo Especial a light Mexican beer; this was followed by a main of fresh tuna Tostadas. The drink to accompany this was a beautiful sipping Tequila and granite (citrusy), suggested by the co-owner. If the starters and the mains were the play the encore was dessert! Homemade Margarita Sorbet, was fresh, crisp and not too sweet, it does not stop there. Intrigued by Peanut Butter Mole, I ordered it on the side. Imagine an Italian Hot Chocolate, rich, not sweet and thick, the Mole knocked its socks off! I will be going back just for the Mole and if they give me some hot milk it will be this year’s winter comfort and stuff the calories!
My husband’s food was of the same standard and I have never seen him have 2 cocktails before. I am not one for exclamation marks but this place deserves them.
My second evening out takes me north of the city, to The Roseberry Ale & Cider House (Roseberry Road). This time I went traditional English, Bangers and Mash. The nice twist with this is that the sausages are made for the pub with Redwell IPA and so it only seemed right to have a beer with it, a nice Pale Ale to bring out the sweetness of the mash. The Pale Ale was also needed to compensate for a slightly over red wine dominate gravy. The mash was light with spring onions added to perfection and with a lovely buttery finish. I have eaten here a few times before and have to say that the Saturday breakfast is a real winner after a heavy night. I don’t like black pudding normally but here it is still soft and not a dry Frisbee.
Original article featured in Iceni Magazine Norfolk – Nibbles and Tipples October 2016
