Food & Drink

Are you feeling the pinch financially this month? January proves to be a challenging month for many of us financially, however, luckily for us, our local restaurants have risen to the occasion with offers such as 50% discounts, 2-for-1 deals, and exclusive discounts. Here are some restaurants in Milton Keynes with offers on this month... Maaya Milton Keynes have 2-4-1 on dishes throughout January. Head over to their Instagram and simply show their post to get one main dish completely free. Offer runs Sunday to Thursday. Blossom Room have lots of offers on this month to take advantage of. You can enjoy 50% off sushi and all other food items this week between 12pm - 8pm Monday to Friday. Every Tuesday they have unlimited Taco's for £14.95 per person, plus, they have 2-4-1 cocktails all day! Visit their Facebook page to find out more. Visit Veeno Wine Bar and get..

It’s the news many shoppers have wished for this Christmas, Midsummer Place Shopping Centre is delighted to announce the highly anticipated return of Pret A Manger this November. After much anticipation, shoppers can once again savour the delicious freshly made offerings of Pret, located next to LEON in the new Boulevard food court. Pret is known for its commitment to freshly preparing sandwiches, salads, and wraps in on-site kitchen daily and offering organic coffees and teas to customers from skillfully trained Barista’s. The brand uses top-tier ingredients, aiming to cater to a diverse range of palates. At the end of every day, the shop’s unsold food will be donated to local charities each day through The Pret Foundation’s partnership with Neighbourly. The new location at Midsummer Place promises to deliver the same excellence that has made Pret a favourite among food lovers globally. The Boulevard food court has become Milton..

Early in November, as the nights were drawing in and the festive season approached, MK Pulse contributor Emma-Rose Norris was invited to an evening to remember at KiKi’s Café… If you haven’t already had a chance to visit Kiki’s Café – voted Milton Keynes Best Restaurant/Café at the MK Inspiration Awards – then I’m not sure where you’ve been! This family-run spot is a real gem nestled in MK’s bustling city centre. Whether you’re looking for a morning pick-me-up, a leisurely brunch, a cosy coffee date or even booking the place out for a private party, KiKi’s is the perfect destination. In the daytime, the café itself provides a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere which is perfect for a spot of working brunch. With plenty of light, high-speed internet and convenient charging stations, you can be sure to stay connected in this home away from home. As aforementioned, KiKi’s is family-centred..

A record number of public votes – more than 14,000 – have determined the winners of this year’s Milton Keynes Food & Leisure Awards. The winners were revealed at a lavish black tie dinner and ceremony at the Delta by Marriott Hotel, Kents Hill. The awards, in their 11th year, celebrate and showcase the best restaurants and attractions in and around Milton Keynes and are an occasion for hospitality businesses across the city and beyond to celebrate the hard work before the busy festive period begins in earnest. “The event goal is to uncover the most fabulous-tasting dishes, recognise the most talented chefs, and identify the best family and leisure locations, among other categories,” says awards director Steven Dryden-Hall. This year’s awards were sponsored by food manufacturer Brioche Pasquier, domain name registration company Safenames, accountancy practice Pantons and city centre-based estate agent Thomas Connolly. A raffle on the night raised..

Midsummer Place Shopping Centre is excited to announce a new retailer. The Artisan Collective Farmshop, will be joining the centre to offer small businesses a place to sell their fresh produce and home-made crafts. Located next to LEGO, The Artisan Collective Farmshop will house multiple retailers on a rotation basis, giving small and independent businesses the opportunity to enjoy premium retail space and significant footfall. The shop is the brainchild of Steve Reid, owner of Friars Farm, which was one of Midsummer Place Hatch competition finalists. Opening from 16 November, the shop will initially be open for six weeks and over this period include the following retailers: Northampton Cheese Company's award-winning cheese, Northampton charcuterie (salamis, bacon, black pudding), Friars Farm's chutneys, preserves, sauces, and condiments, Mee Blueberries' own-grown blueberry liquors, chutney, and jam, Ganders Goat handmade soap (who will also have their display milking goat, which is made of wood..

Loved up couples in Milton Keynes now have the opportunity to say 'I do' before tucking into a Bombay Aloo – with the announcement that new city restaurant Namji is now a licensed venue and offering wedding packages! The Punjabi eatery, situated in the Xscape building, will also deliver bespoke events for those renewing their vows. “It's something different, something truly unique to Milton Keynes and it means you can have your whole wedding taken care of in just the one space – you can say your vows, indulge in a wedding banquet here, and we have an official photographer ready to capture the special day too,” said Namji owner Naseem Khan. “We will cater for any couple wanting a wedding or civil ceremony; we will dress the venue, see to the needs of your wedding party and provide you with the perfect day to start your new life together...

Last month, I had the pleasure of an invitation to a dining experience that has long been on my bucket list: Allium Dining. Allium at Manor Farm in Bourton is a celebration of all things local and delicious – two aspects that are of great importance to me as an avid consumer of all things edible. Situated in the heart of the Buckinghamshire countryside, Manor Farm in Bourton is home to this gastronomic event lead by the culinary wizard that is Andy Tomlinson. As a huge fan of their daytime offering, The Larder Café, I knew that this was going to be a special evening. A little about Manor Farm… The Verey family have been farming at Manor Farm in Bourton for four generations and have been building a business that has the environment and local community at its heart. Having celebrated their centenary in October 2018, the farm has..

This week, the bustling Boulevard at Midsummer Place is buzzing with the aroma of authentic Neapolitan pizza, as it welcomes its latest culinary gem, Nero Artisan Pizza. This marks the seventh cabin to grace the newly refurbished food court and the second store for Nero Artisan Pizza. Promising to serve ‘the finest pizza in MK’, Nero Artisan Pizza invites customers to embark on a gastronomic journey to Italy. Each pizza is handcrafted to order, ensuring a fresh and traditional Neapolitan experience. From the decadent Truffle Fig to the timeless classic Margherita, Nero Artisan Pizza caters to every palate. Our top pick? The Quattro Formaggio, a cheese lover’s dream featuring Fior Di Latte, Gorgonzola, Parmesan, and Pecorino. The secret to their irresistible pizza lies in their dough, made from scratch using a secret family recipe and the freshest ingredients. “We are thrilled to be part of the Midsummer Place family,” says..

Good Times Café Instagram: @goodtimesuk Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/goodtimescafeuk “Give me a good sharp knife and a good sharp cheese and I’m a happy man.” – George R.R. Martin Who are Good Times? Next up in Pulse’s ‘Street Food Sensations’ series are the 2022 ‘MK Street Food of the Year’ winners, Good Times Café. Good Times serve up an array of cheese-based products and a vast selection of hot drinks and local, handmade treats. Specialising in gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, barista-brewed coffee and home bakes, their delicious creations are all served with a smile from their retro pistachio-green, classic Citroen HY Van. I have been lucky enough to sample plenty of the offerings from Good Times Café over the last few years. What's On the Menu... During the Olney Great Taste Food and Drink Fair, I opted for their Roast Beef Special. This consisted of a toasted sandwich filled with roast beef,..

September 2023 heralds the launch of Unity Place, the beacon of sustainable innovation and community-centric destination in Milton Keynes. Milton Keynes, a city renowned for being the future's blueprint, is poised to welcome Unity Place this September. This purpose-designed space marries community, business, and leisure while championing sustainability and a planetary ethos. Mirroring the forward-thinking ethos of Milton Keynes, Unity Place is an inclusive destination designed with green principles at its core. Not only will it act as a cutting-edge workplace, but it's also set to become a bustling hotspot for locals and visitors. Strategically positioned, it stands as the first sight for those departing Milton Keynes Central train station. Ensconced in the city's heart, Unity Place is geared to usher in a new era of business and attractions. Its design ethos, which prioritises sustainability and connectivity, has positioned it as a leading social enterprise beacon in the region. It..

The midlands’ favourite sweet treat bakery and occasion cake makers has opened their eleventh store at Midsummer Place. Branded by their customers as “Instagrammable!”, Butterwick Bakery’s delightful treats range from sumptuous shakes and mouth-watering cakes to divine donuts, all freshly baked each day. Marketing and commercialisation manager at Midsummer Place, Kirsty McGiff said “We are so excited to welcome Butterwick, a fantastic independent business to our new look Boulevard. As shoppers indulge in retail therapy, they can now relish in Butterwick’s sensational bakes that unquestionably bring the ‘wow’ factor.” The rejuvenated Boulevard has already rolled out the red carpet for diverse dining experiences like Souv Lucky Day, The Lebanese Grill House, Pando Woo, Churros Locos, and Jerk ‘n’ Rum, showcasing flavours from around the globe. And the excitement doesn’t stop there, as more stellar establishments are on the horizon. Don’t miss the Big Boulevard Bash on 2 September which will..

The Rub BBQ Instagram: @therub_bbq Website: https://www.therubbbq.co.uk/ “A recipe has no soul; you as the cook must bring soul to the recipe” – Thomas Keller. The Rub BBQ is a Milton Keynes street food institution. It was founded due to the owner’s love for wood-smoked meats (especially ribs) and authentic American-inspired BBQ sauces. The inspiration he took from Stateside led him to create his own BBQ dry rub and so ‘The Rub BBQ’ was born! All The Rub’s rubs (!), marinades and sauces are made from scratch; the ingredients are often wood-smoked to create their own unique depth of flavour and are locally sourced, where possible and, if you weren’t already sold, The Rub is a family run business. I have tasted many of the delights from The Rub BBQ over the past few years, from ‘The Rib Tickler’ – half a rack of British pork baby-back ribs, smoked over..

Maaya Indian Kitchen & Bar is yet again one of the finalists in the Curry Restaurant of the Year & Chef of the Year categories. The English Curry Awards, the prestigious culinary event that celebrates the finest talents in the English curry industry, is pleased to announce the finalists for its 2023 edition. The awards ceremony will take place on 14th August at the illustrious Holiday Inn Birmingham City Centre, where the nation’s curry connoisseurs will gather to recognise and applaud the exceptional achievements of the curry sector. Now in its 12th year, the English Curry Awards continues to shine a spotlight on the remarkable talents and dedication of individuals and establishments within the curry industry. This year’s finalists represent the crème de la crème of English curry industry, showcasing the unrivalled skills and creativity of chefs, restaurateurs, and takeaway services across the nation. The shortlisted finalists were chosen by the..

Last week, Midsummer Place saw the launch of its latest ‘world’ eatery with the opening on Chinese street food vendor, Panda Woo. Located in the newly refurbished Boulevard that has seen several other small and independent businesses open, Panda Woo promises to deliver the authentic taste and delight of Chinese Bao, as well as an array of traditional Asian street foods. Owned by the entrepreneurial team behind Maaya Indian Kitchen and the Blossom Room in The Hub, the owners comprise of Leigh Strathearn, also Managing Director at Perception PR, Mo Abdul, also owner of Calcutta Brasserie and Pasha, Michelle Chen, Indunil Rajapaksha Head Chef at Blossom Room, and Xin Yong. "We are thrilled to bring the enchanting world of Bao to Milton Keynes," says YY, one of the proud owners of Panda Woo. "Our vision is to introduce the richness of Chinese cuisine and the artistry of Bao-making to the..

Early on this month, Pulse Magazine’s food writer Emma-Rose was invited down to try out the offerings at The Centre:MK’s new opening – ‘Pho.’ The group of restaurants was founded in 2005 after Stephen and Juliette Wall had travelled to Vietnam and fell in love with the food. They made the decision to open a restaurant serving phở while sat on high stools, slurping pho bo, in Ho Chi Minh City. Now, 18 years later, Pho is small group of restaurants dotted around the country, serving great value, healthy and fresh Vietnamese food. In fact, every product in every dish they serve is made right there on site from ingredients delivered daily. There is no central kitchen - just real cooking, with each dish cooked to order. If you’re not already aware, phở (pronounced fuh) is a Vietnamese soup that’s made with all of the good stuff: broth, noodles, protein..