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If you've ever been on holiday in Portugal, you'll know that the array of local food on offer is absolutely delicious. As someone who is allergic to fish, however,  I often look for an alternative to the grilled meat dishes served in the majority of restaurants, so I can enjoy a little change. I found something completely different in the town of Luz, at Chicca's. It's a small restaurant which serves delicious home made food, with a variety of vegetarian dishes; pasta; meat, and beautiful pies. The owner, Chicca, is delightfully eccentric, and brings a blackboard packed with daily specials to your table. If you have a question about any of the dishes, then just ask and you'll see just how passionate Chicca is about her food!  I ordered the lasagne (above) and my husband had one of the delicious chorizo pies, which is accompanied by no less than nine delicious mini salads. The best suggestion I can give you is to leave room for dessert - they...

I stumbled upon an online review of a restaurant called 'Made in Belfast', and made a point of visiting it on a recent trip there. Wow - this place is fantastic! The decor is eclectic, with mismatching chairs, and a shabby chic style - but it really works, and gives the place an informal, but quirky feel about it. The food is simply stunning. I had the dish pictured above - beetroot and feta risotto. I wasn't sure what to expect with the vivid pinky colour of the beetroot, but I was secretly hoping it would be pink, and I wasn't disappointed! The flavours were fantastic, and the portion was HUGE! My dining partner had the Moroccan lamb, and it was so tender, it just fell to pieces with his fork. He also thought the flavours were delicious, and I agreed when I had a little taste of his dish! If you're looking for somewhere to eat in Belfast city centre, then I can't recommend this place highly enough. It's cool without trying to...

If you are a food lover, and have always wanted to do "foodie" trip, then read on - I've found something quite unique. Fäviken Magasinet is not simply somewhere to stay - they call it a restaurant with accommodation. If you're a fussy eater, give it a miss but if you're up for a totally different food experience, then this is for you. It is located in the North of Sweden, and is not easy to get to (it's 80km from Östersund airport, which has daily flights from Stockholm) but those who have been say it's well worth the effort. The dining experience is based on using produce from the region, and from the farm on which the restaurant is situated.  Chef Magnus Nilsson is one of the hottest names in the food and restaurant world. It's hard to sum up what you should expect, but think pre-dinner gin and locally fermented rhubarb juice followed by around 20 different dishes (some tiny appetisers) such as clams; diced cow's heart; moss chips,...

Mexican food is a real love of mine, and on a trip to New York a friend recommended I try Rosa Mexicano (which means Mexican pink). There are several of these restaurants in New York alone, and others throughout the USA, and the branch I visited (on 1st Ave) was beautiful. The first Rosa Mexicano opened in New York in 1984, and was applauded by New York Magazine for introducing New Yorkers to an "unfamiliar, elevated version of Mexican cuisine".  It's always a good sign when you hear Spanish being spoken in a Mexican restaurant, and I have to say this is the most authentic Mexican food I've ever tasted - it really is exceptional. The fajitas were simply stunning, but the highlight of my lunch was the guacamole, which is a speciality - and when you've tasted it, you'll know why! The lovely thing is that they prepare it by the table, and you can decide exactly how you want it to taste as they're making it.   I've been trying to replica...

Sometimes the best meals aren't necessarily enjoyed at the swankiest restaurants or most exclusive places. In Tobago, I had a fabulous lunch that was simple but just perfect at the beach bar of the Blue Haven Hotel.  The hotel overlooks Bacolet Bay, on the Atlantic coast of the island, and is said to be the site where Robinson Crusoe was stranded in 1659.  In the middle of the bay is the small beach bar, and I enjoyed a delicious fruit punch while enjoying the views when I arrived at the beach. It was fantastic to see the barman had also poured a fruit punch for the birds to enjoy - great to watch all different coloured birds fluttering around while I enjoyed my drink. I had a few hours on the beach sunbathing, snorkelling and swimming before going back up for lunch. The menu is full of simple but delicious treats such as lovely salads and sandwiches. I opted for the club sandwich, and it is one of the best I have ever tasted. The side salad had a beautifu...

If you're looking for a stylish but laid back country house hotel in the UK, I have somewhere that may interest you! The Pig is a relaxing retreat set in the heart of the New Forest National Park,  just one mile from the village of Brockenhurst, yet only a 90 minute drive from London.  There are twenty six bedrooms with sixteen in the main house, and ten in the stable yard. They are all well equipped and have gorgeous bed linen and great showers and baths. They also have a little coffee machine; kettle, and a mini fridge with cold drinks and nibbles....oh, and the views are beautiful too! Such is the importance of food at this place, they like to call it a restaurant with rooms! There is a walled garden, and the gardener/forager and chef grow and find the food, and then the chef decides what will go on the menu.   The food is so fresh that the menu doesn't just change weekly, in fact it doesn't even change daily....it can change by the hour depending ...

Today's featured restaurant is the first Michelin starred place to be featured on Travel Lightbulb. The whole point of my blog is to feature things that suit everyone, from big budget luxury destinations to cheap as chips finds that are just as special. Chapter One, a stunning restaurant in Dublin, is leaning towards the more expensive side of things, but it's actually great value for the fantastic food and I couldn't leave it out.  It has been said that you are not just buying a meal when you eat here, but that instead you're buying an experience, and I couldn't agree more with that statement. The attention to detail is fantastic, and the staff are friendly and have perfected their service so it's neither overly formal, or too casual. So onto the food itself. The head chef focuses on local and seasonal producer to create an array of modern dishes with robust flavours. There are plenty of options for the carnivore, and also for the fish lover. They a...

In the stunning city of Verona, since the beginning of the 1900s, the 'Antico Caffe Dante Ristorante' has been a meeting point and a part of life for locals. It's been described as the heart of good food and wine in Verona, and is situated in the heart of the city in the beautiful Piazza del Signori. Photo from www.caffedante.it It's an elegant restaurant, and something many describe as an eye-opening experience. While it's located in an area populated with typical average tourist offerings, this is a class apart. It's set in a beautiful historic building, and the food - especially the signature dish of is braised beef cheeks in barolo sauce -  is to die for. Photo from www.caffedante.it The restaurant has an extensive menu, and an even bigger wine list! They also have a tasting menu which includes pre and post dinner drinks; two starters; a main course, and a dessert. Photo from www.caffedante.it Travel Lightbulb was set up to try and he...

I always think it would be nice to be able to bring a bit of the countries you visit home with you. Wouldn't it be good to be able to enjoy a delicacy of a foreign country when you're back on home soil to brighten up your day? Well in my opinion, a new restaurant in Manchester lets you do just that. Le Relais de Venise is better know to many who eat there as 'L'Entrecote'. A few years ago, I visited the original restaurant in Paris (which opened in 1959), and was delighted when it opened another branch in the UK. As well as Paris, there are already successful restaurants in both London and New York, and I wanted to see if I could replicate the fantastic experience I had in Paris. The question is, would it work outside of the French capital? You won't spend hours pouring over the menu here - there is no choice. To start, a simple green salad with walnuts and a mustard vinaigrette. This is served with some pieces of crusty baguette so you can make the most of...

Titchwell Manor is a child friendly boutique hotel which overlooks the North Norfolk coastline and marshes. It's a Victorian farmhouse that has been transformed into an elegant hotel which is renowned for its superb food. The lovely thing about this hotel is the range of accommodation. You can choose between Victorian manor rooms, or more contemporary look in rooms that look onto the stunning herb garden. Not only is Titchwell Manor child friendly, but it's also a great place to bring your dog on holiday. There are lots of open fields and woods to explore, as well as golden beaches nearby. The hotel will even provide a dog bed, dog biscuits and a water bowl in your bedroom! There are two restaurants at the manor - the fine dining Conservatory Restaurant; and the Eating Rooms, which is a stunning and informal dining area and bar with a sea view terrace. I mentioned that the hotel is child friendly, and the cute thing about the kids menu is that it includes mini ro...

On a recent trip to Edinburgh, I discovered a superb restaurant that I'd recommend to anyone visiting the city. The list of places to eat in Edinburgh is quite extensive and making the correct decision on which part of the city to eat in (never mind which restaurant!) is not easy. So if you're looking for somewhere a little bit different, then I highly recommend Maison Bleue. It's located in Victoria Street, in the heart of the old town, which has started to draw more people to that area since the addition of places like The Missoni Hotel. The restaurant is made of a series of atmospheric small rooms, and there are lovely features throughout - a spiral wooden staircase, and stone arches add to the restaurant's charm. So why does it stand out from other restaurants in the Scottish capital? Well the menu is very different for a start. It offers French, North African and traditional Scottish cuisine, and does each one brilliantly. I s...

If you like chicken, and haven't yet tried Piri Piri, I have to break it to you.....you're missing out big time! The dish is traditionally made from Piri Piri peppers which originated in South Africa, and were imported to Portugal from Angola and Mozambique. Restaurants across Portugal have their own individual recipes for the dish; but the Algarve town of Guia is said to have the most authentic Piri-Piri houses, and I am quite confident when I say I think I have found the best. O Teodósio (otherwise known as King of Chicken) opens for lunch at 12 noon; and 6pm for evening meals. Trust me, it pays to get there just before it opens. Long queues of people soon build up, and every time I've eaten there it has been mobbed - quite impressive when you consider it seats nearly 700! Although they do serve other dishes, you never see a menu being handed out - you simply order "Frango piri piri, batatas fritas e salada" (chicken piri piri, chips, and salad). It'...

Travel Lightbulb tries to help people around the world discover places they made not otherwise have found, and today's featured restaurant is a case in point. Unless you know Manchester and its diverse dining scene, you may not even spot that it exists - and that is because it's underground! On the main street, Deansgate, there is a glass triangle in front of the Armani store, and that is the entrance to Australasia.  When you delve beneath the curious glass threshold; a beautiful restaurant and bar await. With driftwood scupltures; comfortable booths, and the sound of chitter chatter, it becomes apparent that the place has a great vibe. This isn't a venue for the shy; as the walk to your table from the main desk takes you through the other diners, and there is a certain amount of posing being done! Having said that this is one of those restaurants where you want to dress well; be noticed, and feel good about yourself - so just go with the flow and strut your stuff...

When travelling, I love to find restaurants that echo the local delicacies and flavours of the region I'm visiting, and when I was in Bordeaux I found a gem of a place that does just that. While wine may jump into your mind when you first think of the French city, you must not underestimate how good the food can be. On one of Bordeaux's oldest streets, La Tupina (which means 'kettle' in Basque) pays a fantastic tribute to traditional cooking in the south-west region of France. Photo courtesy of La Tupina The decor is both beautiful and rustic. In the centre of the restaurant is a huge fireplace, which is used to cook some of the dishes, and there are two cosy dining rooms. There are also tables outside on the cobbled street and, while they're great in the summer, part of the joy of La Tupina is the atmosphere and ambience of the rooms inside. Photo courtesy of La Tupina The specialities of the house include lamb and duck, and as I'd ...