Craft & Dough

New to the growing restaurant scene developing in Kelham Island (arguably Sheffield's most up and coming area) is Craft & Dough, a pizzeria and bar which is part of The Milestone Group, who own a variety of artisanal eateries in the Sheffield region. We've been meaning to go down since the opening last month, and had heard tons of hype, so couldn't wait to try it out.

We popped in for lunch on a Friday, and were instantly struck by how busy it was, with a mixture of families, couples, and professionals all tucking in. The atmosphere is cafe-esque, with the smell of fresh coffee and bread filling the room, and quite open, minimalist decor. The smaller fixtures and fittings add interesting touches, including light fittings made from crystal decanters which hint at the level of finesse available on the drinks menu. The open kitchen adds sociability to the venue and it was great to be able to watch the chef creating our pizzas while we waited.

A great selection of drinks are available - most apparent are the beers, of which around 50 are available, but there also looked to be a good variety of gins and whiskies - the emphasis here on world whisky with Macallan the only single malt Scotch on offer, which is a refreshing change to the usual selection.

We've decided to take part in the Tryanuary initiative this month (look up #tryanuary on twitter) and so went for beers we've not sampled before. From the extensive range we chose Big Ben Brown Ale, a 5.8% offering from Thwaites' Crafty Dan microbrewery, and Founders All Day IPA (4.7%). The Big Ben was crisp but malty, with very apparent flavours of crystal malt, whilst the Founders was just full to bursting with aromatic fruitiness, providing a really tasty passionfruit hit. Both were good choices which worked well with the food.

And so, on to the pizza. We went for a Tandoori (tandoori chicken, raita, chilli, mango salsa and Bombay mix) and a Crafty Cuts, with braised ox cheek, pepperoni, balsamic red onion, mozzarella, oregano, and parmesan. Both were scrumptious - generously portioned, with true care shown in the preparation of all the ingredients. Particularly noteworthy were the delicious red onions on the rich and sumptuous Crafty Cuts, with the balsamic glaze providing a real pop of flavour, and the Bombay mix on the Tandoori which is completely original and added a whole new dimension to the already full-of-flavour pizza. Laura ended up with mango and mint all over her face and could not have cared less. 

It was also great to see that the ingredients include fresh veg which is grown on their own site, Furnace Hill. Another little touch which just shows the attention to detail that the Milestone Group never cease to provide.

Overall, a fun place to go just for a drink, with something interesting available whatever your tipple, but an even better one to go to for dough. Good value, nice vibes, attentive service, and you'll leave with a full happy tum - can't say more than that.

Cheers,

L&J 

Favourite pubs: The Fat Cat

It's a bit of a tradition in my family to love The Fat Cat. As one of my dad's favourites, it's been a place I've been frequenting since I was a nipper, commonly found in the upstairs room with a fruit Looza and a bag of Royster's crisps (what ever happened to them?!). My little sister became famous for being the youngest customer to eat an entire Ploughman's, aged 4.

FatCat.co.uk

Since then, a couple of decades have passed, both myself and Jim have done stints behind the bar, and the Ploughman's lunches are just as massive (and excellent).

FatCat.co.uk

The beer selection is always varied and showcases a fantastic range of local and national brews, with Kelham Island beers (including Pale Rider, Best Bitter and a seasonal special) and Timothy Taylor's Landlord providing a sturdy backbone. As well as the regulars another 6 or so guest cask ales can be sought, along with the occasional Belgian keg beer. The selection of bottled beers is extraordinary for the size of the bar, with a floor space comparable to the mid-sized office desk I am currently writing at. This tiny space could contain up to 5 members of staff at busy times, including during the now famous shows of the Everly Pregnant Brothers on the toilet roof.

The food is always traditional, hearty and delicious, with a good selection for vegetarians and those on a gluten free diet too. It's also excellent value. If you are not wanting to eat a full meal, sandwiches, beer basted pork pies and a selection of varying crisps are on offer.

As a regular haunt for a quiet few on a Sunday evening, you can't get any better than the Fat Cat.

Cheers,

Laura