Wagamama, Livingston

Eating in Wagamama makes me feel really healthy and good about myself for some weird reason. Maybe that all their food is freshly made and their slogan 'positive eating + positive living' has got something to do with that..

Wagamama, translated from Japanese it means 'wilful/naughty child', is a worldwide restaurant chain with over 60 noodle bars in UK alone, serving pan-Asian inspired food.

There is no small tables, just long, canteen style benches where strangers have to sit next to each other. Floor to ceiling windows and simple, modern, 'Swedish' style interior just add character to this unique concept.

Instead of choosing one of their many noodle dishes I went for chicken katsu curry that is chicken breast deep-fried in panko breadcrumbs, served with a curry sauce that had a nice kick of heat and sticky white rice.

asking for a fork instead of chopsticks is never a problem

waiting staff scribbling on the paper place mats

massive portions

the Elements Shopping Centre, Livingston, West Lothian, EH54 6GS - 0150 6442 015

The Townhouse, Melrose

On a Sunday afternoon we found ourselves wandering around Melrose village in Scottish Borders, looking for somewhere to go for our sunday sandwich. There seemed to be couple of options but we were drawn towards the Townhouse Hotel.

The hotel has got two options to offer for people looking for something to eat: their restaurant that is more formal and the brasserie where we chose to have a bite to eat.

I really liked the decor of the brasserie, you can view it here. Chocolate brown walls, original fireplace, contemporary furniture and some nice artwork scattered around. The rest of the hotel seems to follow same kind of tasteful style.

My sandwich choice was beautifully presented honey glazed ham with peach ginger chutney, on toasted really yummy bread, served with green leaves and potato salad.
I would love to go back and have dinner or lunch in here. They seem to have won heaps of awards over the years, for both food and the hotel, and it's easy to see why. My question is that why the hotel is only rated to have three stars?

collage type of artwork on the brasserie walls

seriously tasty bread

welcoming atmosphere

Melrose, Scottish Borders, TD6 9PQ - 0189 6822 645

Cucina LC, Edinburgh

Cucina LC is a place within five minute walk from our flat so we've been here good few times to get sandwiches to go and always find ourselves going back.

Comfy leather chairs, butterfly print wallpaper and a stack of cookery books make this place really cosy and inviting, and even sitting by myself I have never felt uncomfortable, like I sometimes might do in bigger places.

Nice, no-nonsense, freshly made salads and sandwiches, and I always seem to go for the same thing: chicken and cheese wrap with avocado and sweet chili dressing!

Their adorable handwritten menu boards fill up most of the walls behind the counter and make you dizzy with choice.

illy coffee, my favourite

lemon drizzle cake

funny marriage/relationship themed menu

68 Haymarket Terrace, Edinburgh, EH12 5LQ - 0131 467 2671