Food & Drink

Scroll for the tastiest food and drink from across Milton Keynes and North Bucks

21st Feb 2023

Finalists are now revealed for the 1st Nation’s Curry Awards, established to celebrate Asian talent...

The awards will be a celebration of the top Asian curry professionals and businesses with the finalist shortlist being determined by public vote. The black-tie awards ceremony will take place on Monday 20th February in Manchester. The awards highlight the growth of the Asian curry sector and recognise the achievements of those who work their hardest to perfect every meal. Those rewarded, will include chefs, restaurants, managers, takeaways, teams and curry schools. Maaya Indian Kitchen & Bar has been shortlisted in the South East category. Maaay will find out if they will be crowned winners in the elegant ceremony taking place in February. Mo Abdul said: “It’s an honour to be nominated for the first Nation’s Curry Awards, we look forward to attending the ceremony and hope to do Milton Keynes proud on the night.” A spokesperson from event organiser, Oceanic Consulting said: “The curry campaign has been hugely successful..

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17th Feb 2023

3 ‘Flipping Brilliant’ Places to Eat Pancakes in MK this Shrove Tuesday

Pancake Day. Shrove Tuesday. Mardi Gras. Whatever you decide to call it, one thing is for sure – it's a day of fun, festivities...and, most importantly, food! Here are some local gems that come HIGHLY recommended this pancake day. French Affaire, Stony Stratford One of my favourite brunch-time locations, French Affaire is a French-inspired restaurant, buried in the heart of Odell’s Yard in quaint Stony Stratford. Founded by Anca and Razvan Marcu, their intimate and elegant restaurant concept came to life from their love of French produce and their visits to family in the Campagne-Ardenne region. Although in the evenings the restaurant serves up more French fine-dining options, breakfast and lunch is dedicated to some of my favourite French food – Croques and Crepes! Their daytime menu, served until 4pm daily, consists of both sweet and savoury crepes that can all be adapted to be gluten free. There is a..

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10th Feb 2023

‘Valentine’s Day At Home’ Sharing Recipes for this February 14th

Are you thinking of saving up those precious pennies and celebrating Valentine’s Day at home next week? Here are three fail-safe and easy-to-follow recipes to impress your loved one with on February 14th this year. Middle-Eastern Style Shakshuka Serves 2-3 Ingredients: -1 Tbsp of Olive Oil -2 White Onions -4 Cloves of Garlic -2 Bell Peppers -2 Tins of Plum Tomatoes -2 Tbsp of Tomato Purée -1 Tsp Cumin -1 Tsp Coriander -1 Tsp Chilli Powder -1 Tsp Ras El Hanout -1 Tsp Rose Harissa Paste -1 Large (or small, if you don’t like it too spicy) Pinch of Cayenne Pepper -1 Pinch of Sugar -1 Handful of Coriander -1 Handful of Parsley -4 Eggs -Salt and Pepper to taste Fry the onions in olive oil on a low heat until translucent. Finely shop the garlic and add to the..

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24th Jan 2023

3 Bespoke Cocktails to Make at Home for Valentine’s Day

Why not save a little bit of money this month and celebrate Valentine’s Day at home? If it’s your first or your fifty-first Valentine’s Day with your beau, February 14th is the perfect occasion to crack out that cocktail shaker hidden at the back of your cupboard. Whether it’s an intimate 3-course dinner or more of a casual occasion, swap out your usual Mojito or Passionfruit Martini for something a little bit more special this year. Local cocktail designer and enthusiast Sunday Cocktail Club has created 3 bespoke recipes for you to try out and enjoy this year. Despite looking particularly eye-catching, these three cocktails are pretty low-maintenance. They only take a few minutes to shake up and require just a handful of ingredients. However you choose to celebrate V Day, Pulse Magazine has got you! Grab your ‘on the rocks’ glassware and then let Cupid take care of the..

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13th Jan 2023

10 Purse-Friendly January Deals from Local MK Independents

Great Gelato Last week I took a trip to one of my Stony Stratford favourites, Great Gelato. Until the end of January, they are offering a ‘BOGOF’ offer on their thick, traditional original Italian hot chocolates. We got 2 giant cups of what I can only describe as the very BEST hot chocolate I’ve ever had in the UK for £3.50 in total: an absolute steal! If you fancy something different, every week Great Gelato have a whole host of different options including: daily specials, gelato, cookies, brownies, pizza slices and more. All their products are freshly made on site, every day. T’s and C’s: Both Hot Chocolates must be the same flavour and exclude extras. This offer is not valid on Signature or Seasonal Hot Chocolates or Hot Chocolate Combos. Website: https://www.greatgelato.com/ Hustle Gin Local luxury award-winning gin company Hustle Gin is currently offering amazing New Year discounts across their..

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19th Dec 2022

Fresh Fast Food Giant itsu Celebrate their First Opening in Buckinghamshire

itsu has finally landed in Milton Keynes, having celebrated the opening of their first location in Buckinghamshire last Wednesday. The Asian-inspired, healthy fast-food restaurant brand opened inside Centre:MK in Milton Keynes at 11am on Wednesday 14th December. The healthy haven of fast, nutritious, beautiful food will offer local residents and businesses alike a delicious range of hot & cold dishes to takeaway, dine in with their friends or be delivered to local offices as a fresh meal option. “We’re looking forward to opening our first branch in Buckinghamshire while creating new career opportunities for locals on the lead-up to Christmas. Our new location nearby to John Lewis will be the perfect stop-off for those looking for a nutritious & affordable meal to keep them feeling healthy and happy throughout the festive shopping period.” - Neil Miller, Chief Customer Officer. itsu’s ‘steamed not fried’ philosophy sees their menu including hot noodle..

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05th Dec 2022

MK’s Cosy Winter Pub Guide – 2022

Brrrrrrrr. It's certainly starting to feel frosty out there! Here is your guide to 10 of the best local pubs that'll be sure to 'warm your cockles' this Winter! Remember: "Winter is not a season - it's a celebration." The Barge Inn and The Traveller’s Rest Part of the Vintage Inns group, The Barge at Woolstone was built in the early 19th Century to slake the thirsts of men working on The Grand Union Canal and has been a firm favourite of narrow boaters ever since. Having recently undergone a really impressive and modern refurbishment whilst keeping it’s country feel (and, importantly for the Winter, the roaring open fire) The Barge has been the pub of choice, especially for an evening drink, for my family for many years. On our recent lunchtime get together where we brought together family members from Milton Keynes, Enfield and even Ukraine, the lunchtime offerings..

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28th Nov 2022

Saints on Stony – the ‘heartiest’ brunch in Milton Keynes...

If you think that Saints on Stony (and their older sister restaurant, Saints on St Giles in Northampton) is simply just your run-of-the-mill coffee shop, then think again; these hubs of social enterprise are cafés with real heart. Saints Coffee is run by Ben and Nicola – two champions of community betterment. Having recently been awarded ‘Community Café of the Year’ in the Weetabix Northamptonshire Food and Drink Awards, Saints is, at last, getting the recognition it deserves. What makes Saints different? In addition to everything you’d expect from a good coffee shop like brunch, toasted sandwiches, homemade cakes and bakes and – of course – high quality coffee, this small business champions those in the community who really need championing. Saints addresses racism, discrimination and inequality through programmes with local schools, business and charities; they also aim to improve the mental health of those in the community by breaking..

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26th Nov 2022

It’s flippin’ amazing...

Olney Pancake Race is delighted to announce that Francis Jackson Homes are continuing as its main sponsor for the next three years, from 2023. Francis Jackson Homes are a family owned company based in Olney, specialising in well-built traditional and contemporary homes and have been a loyal sponsor of the Olney Pancake Race for the last 25 years. Candy Jackson, Marketing Manager said, “We are very pleased to continue our support of this historic, renowned event which is a firm favourite in the Olney calendar, for another three years”. The race will be run on Shrove Tuesday, 21 February 2023 starting at 11.55am and will be preceded by breakfast, cookery demonstrations and children’s races in the Market Place. If you‘d like more details, go to olneypancakerace.org, like us on Facebook @olneypancakerace, or on Instagram @theolneypancakerace The town is also marking the 250th anniversary of Amazing Grace in 2023. Composed by..

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22nd Nov 2022

The MK Café That’s Really Changing the Game...

If you haven’t already heard of ‘The Gamechanger Kitchen’ in Giffard Park, I’d be surprised. This gem of a café has recently undergone a fairly substantial expansion – and for good reason; TGK was crowned as the ‘Best Coffee Business/Café’ at the prestigious MK Food and Leisure Awards this year. I am lucky enough to live just a stone’s throw away from this incredible café which means I have seen first-hand the huge transformation it has gone through over the past year. A little bit on the owner, Alessandra: having been forced out of a 9-5 job in 2018 and ending up working the odd shift in her father’s coffee shop, Alessandra’s passion for health-conscious but tasty food and drink started to take off. Taking over the café inside ‘Fitness First’ in November 2019 seemed like a great move, until..

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10th Sep 2021

Dining with a nod to the past

Pulse food writer Emma Norris has ventured out to Little Horwood to sample the delights of Harry’s Bar and Kitchen at Horwood House. Last month I was lucky enough to be invited to the newly-refurbished restaurant situated in the picturesque surroundings of Horwood House Hotel which correctly claims to combine ‘heritage, comfort and warm, friendly service.’ The Grade II listed Manor House has recently undergone a £5.5 million overhaul, including a big change-up to their in-house restaurant. Harry’s Bar and Kitchen, named after Harry Thrower (the original Head Gardener of Horwood House and father of famous gardener, Percy Thrower) has been re-imagined with a modern, ‘indoor-outdoor’ aesthetic; the roof is lined with hanging greenery and there is also an exterior terrace with beautiful views of the grounds which, due to the classic English summer weather, I was unfortunately unable to visit. The restaurant itself is headed by Executive Chef Mehdi..

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08th Jul 2021

Maaya Indian Kitchen & Bar to host ‘Curry On Laughing’ event this summer

Maaya will be welcoming two special guests for a night of comedy and curry Maaya Indian Kitchen & Bar – located in The Hub Milton Keynes – will be hosting a ‘Curry On Laughing’ comedy night on Thursday 29 July 2021. Performing at the event are two fantastic comedians, Paul Eastwood and John Ryan, who’ll have the restaurant in stitches throughout the event which runs from 7pm – 10pm, with the comedians taking the stage from 8.30pm. Customers can attend the event for just £29.95 per person, which includes entrance to the event, poppadoms with chutneys to start and the Maaya Royal Banquet sharing menu. The menu features a range of delicious starter, main and side dishes, with popular menu items including Chicken Tikka Masala, Garlic Chilli Chicken and Vegetable Jalfrezi. All main courses will also be refilled free of charge, so you can enjoy a leisurely meal with your..

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11th Jun 2021

A restaurant worth a visit – No Bull...

Pulse food writer Emma Norris reviews The Bull Hotel in Olney After the gradual easing of lockdown 3.0, my first long-awaited restaurant visit was a trip to The Bull Hotel in Olney. Booking in on the same week (on an online system that is incredibly easy to navigate), I was a little concerned I might miss out on a table – thankfully, there were still a few slots left for their covered outdoor seating-area. The sunshine may have been on my side that sunny Saturday, but even if I hadn’t been so lucky, their heated marquee would have provided ample cover from the typical British Spring weather. Checking in on the NHS Test and Trace app was mandatory, sanitiser was provided on entry and tables were meticulously spaced to ensure customers felt safe and covid-secure. Their food/drink menus are accessed through scanning a QR code on your Smartphone where you..

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27th Apr 2021

Award-winning Neds Noodle Bar set to open this month at centre:mk

Grab your chopsticks and head to centre:mk, where award winning brand, Neds Noodle Bar will open this month, bringing the very best authentic tastes of Asia to the heart of Milton Keynes, consciously providing healthier Eastern staples with no MSG or GM products. Located opposite John Lewis and Partners, the restaurant will feature the brand's signature open-plan kitchen and unpretentious welcoming environment, offering dine-in, take-out and delivery services. They will be serving the freshest Asian noodles alongside a variety of starters, fresh Asian salads and steamed buns, along with organic drinks, beers and wines. Neds Noodle Bar has grown from its humble beginnings to launching its flagship store at The London Eye and more recently being nominated for the ‘best noodles in the UK’ at the Golden Chopsticks Awards in 2019. Kevin Duffy, centre:mk Centre Director, said, “Neds Noodle Bar has established a defining difference by taking one of the..

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15th Mar 2021

Maaya Indian Kitchen & Bar launches ‘Cooking at Home’ service

Enjoy cooking the flavours of Maaya in your own kitchen. Maaya Indian Kitchen & Bar – located in The Hub Milton Keynes – has this week launched their ‘Cooking at Home’ service. Enabling customers to cook their favourite flavours of India in the comfort of their own home, the award-winning Indian restaurant are now offering fresh, vacuum-packed ingredients for the following variety of starter, main and side dishes (with more to follow soon): Paneer Tikka Starter £15 Shaami Kebabs Starter with salad & chutney £12 Butter Chicken Main £25 Chicken Tikka Jalfrezi Main with Spicy Mash £28 Masala Lamb Chops Main with Jeera Roasted Potatoes & Rogan Josh Gravy £35 King Prawn Tawa Masala Main with Sauteed Green Beans £40 Bombay Aloo Side £10 Garlic and Coriander Naan £5 To pair with the key ingredients – which include everything from fresh chicken, prawns and lamb to potatoes and dough –..

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