Tag Archives: review

Review: Motorola MBP855 Connect video baby monitor

Posted in baby, Mummy life, Today I'm loving, Today I'm trying by
MBP855 Connect , Katy Pearson, Sonny Jim, #whatkatydidUK

While Sonny Jim slept – the MBP855 Connect watched

When Sonny Jim was first born we didn’t have a monitor.

He slept in the crib in our room when we were in bed – and when we were up he slept where we were, in a sling or the pram or a rocker.

When he started waking up less though and moved into his own room I suddenly realised just how badly we needed a good monitor.

We went for the Angelcare video, movement and sound monitor because a few of my mummy friends had it – and they really rated it.

And it’s been great. The sensor pad has kept this worried mama reassured past Sonny Jim’s first birthday. And the range meant I could be in the garden and still see and hear my boy.

However. It’s not very portable. So when I was offered the chance to try out the MBP855 Connect video baby monitor by Motorola, I was more than happy to. Continue reading →

Review: Boxwild’s Bird Feeder Gift Box

Posted in Shopping, Today I'm loving, Today I'm trying by
fruit feeder, Boxwild, Katy Pearson #whatkatydid

Fabulous – the fruit feeder in action

Here’s a little confession. I’m a bit of a birder.

Ever since the hubby and I lived for eight years in a teeny-tiny old mill cottage in the middle of nowhere, I’ve loved looking out for the birds fluttering their way into our garden.

We had a pair of robins (one fat, one skinny) that seemed to come back every year and they were joined by an array of other breeds as the seasons unfolded.

Now by the seaside, we don’t seem to play host to quite as many different birds… but the ones that do visit I’m super keen to encourage to keep coming back! Continue reading →

Restaurant review: Irmas, Leigh-on-Sea

Posted in Restaurants, Today I'm trying by

By the husband (Gary Pearson)

Irmas is an easy going, happy-go-lucky, welcome-to-all type place. Where you can breeze in, have a good, hearty Italian inspired meal, a catch-up with friends and/or family, then off you go again.Irmas in Leigh-on-Sea

There’s no waiting around ages for your food, no pretension, no drama.

It was a Tuesday night when we went and the place was very busy with all sorts of people – there was a lively family birthday party, a few intimate couples plus groups of friends sharing a bottle or three of Prosecco.

The venue is modern and open-plan, and the decor is shiny and clean cut. Simplistic table settings with wooden chairs and mini black tiling surround. The staff are young, bubbly and helpful. It gives off a welcoming cheap and cheerful vibe. The food’s not particularly cheap, but the place is certainly very cheerful. Continue reading →

Restaurant review: The Peterboat, Leigh-on-Sea

Posted in Restaurants by

The Peterboat is pretty much synonymous with Old Leigh.

The Peterboat, Leigh-on-Sea

The Peterboat

The pub, perched on the very edge of the estuary, has been there for centuries (since 1757 in fact) and on a sunny summer’s evening there are few places finer to stop for a spot of supper and a cool beverage – or two.

After months of work in the winter off-season, it now has an extended bar and dining area with more seats (handy as it gets super busy.) Thankfully, however the Peterboat lost none of its public house charm in the revamp. Nor have any of its classic dishes (yes, cockle chowder I’m looking at you) been ditched. In fact, the menu has not been amended, specials aside, for at least a year. No pointless, change-for-change’s-sake here, thank you very much.

Continue reading →

Restaurant review: The Regatta, Leigh-on-Sea

Posted in Restaurants by

By the husband (Gary Pearson)

If you are after a laidback evening and some decent food, then it’s worth giving the Regatta a whirl.

The Regatta, Leigh-on-Sea, Katy Pearson

The Regatta, Leigh-on-Sea

It’s one of the latest restaurants to open in the ever-improving Leigh Road, Leigh.

The staff are extremely friendly and informative, and the decor simple, but effective  – light pastel blues giving the  place the nautical feel it’s clearly coveting. The food choice is excellent.

It calls itself a modern British restaurant and offers many old favourites, steak and kidney pudding, for example, plus a varied, if not slightly pricey, selection of fish.

For starters, I went for the baby back pork ribs, which came up honey-glazed. They were a little too fatty for my liking, but theymade for a enjoyable start nonetheless. My wife Katy enjoyed her sample mind, and I was quite taken by the soup of the day she ordered, namely butternut squash – her favourite. Continue reading →

Restaurant review: Nuvo, Leigh-on-Sea

Posted in Restaurants by

By the husband (Gary Pearson)

NUVO, now I’m not sure what that means, but one thing’s for sure this place is fancy, really fancy.

It’s one of a new breed of kids on the Broadway block, and it’s sure making a statement.

Nuvo Leigh-on-Sea

Nuvo

The menu has a real air of class about it, but is it any good?

First up for me was “crispy duck”. It came with watermelon salad and some spiced, honey drizzled cashew nuts.

I’ve highlighted crispy duck, because it actually wasn’t that crispy at all. However, it was a very tasty start and the sweet, fresh combination worked surprisingly well. Although I’d like the duck crispy next time please!

My wife Katy went for English scallops, priced by the way, at a princely £11.95… It came with cauliflower puree, quince jam, crispy chorizo and a helping of cherry confit. All very upmarket. Continue reading →

Restaurant review: The Garden Restaurant at Orsett Hall

Posted in Restaurants by

By the husband (Gary Pearson)

ENJOYING the beautiful late evening sun, sipping a gin and tonic seated within the vast and beautiful grounds at Orsett Hall, I found myself thinking life could be a lot worse…

The Garden Restaurant at Orsett Hall, Gary Pearson

The Garden Restaurant at Orsett Hall, Gary Pearson

Orsett Hall is a lovely place and I was more than looking forward to sampling the restaurant’s summer menu.
It wasn’t long before I realised the food was every bit as good as the view.

My wife Katy went for soup of the day for a starter, while I opted for the poached langoustines. Delicious would be an understatement.

Mine came with a gorgeous little lump of crispy pork, a chervil (French parsley) and mango mayonnaise. A truly heavenly surf ’n’ turf. Continue reading →