Welcome to The Alasia Blog. We are fast getting a reputation for quality, our fabulous service, and our lovely atmosphere. The blog is a chance to keep you up to date with food news from The Alasia - from events to new food finds in the free from world - follow us, and fall in love with food like we have. Read more...


Did you know that we serve a fantastic brunch from Tuesday through until Sunday. It is served with a huge smile too.


WHAT'S ON AT THE WESTON-SUPER-MARE PLAYHOUSE...
Starting this coming Wednesday 28th October is Weston Operatic Societies, FIDDLER OF THE ROOF.

We are very supportive of the Weston Playhouse & Theatre. They certainly get some great acts to come to our town including Julian Clarey, Jo Brown, various tribute acts, and local productions of classic West End musicals. The Alasia is open for pre-theatre evening dining from Wednesday through until Saturday. Pre book to avoid disappointment.


MEET OUR HEAD CHEF...
James Perry is The Alasia head chef. Read our 60 second interview...


MY ADDICTION...
Don't get too excited. Well actually, don't get excited at all. I am totally addicted to QUINOA - pronounced KEEN-WA. It even has it's own web site. I am heavily into detoxing at the moment, and will detox once a week. No beloved Nutella, no soya milk, just water-based fruit such as apples and pears sliced and then a few portions of quinoa with grated betroot and carrot & sprinkled with almonds. It keeps me perky and full of energy.


FREE FROM PLACE OF THE MONTH....
Congratulations to Carluccio's who offer a gluten free menu.
We were guests on Tuesday at the Cabot Circus cafe for Antonio's cooking demonstration and book signing.

Now, I must admit that he pasta was disappointing and tasteless. It was shop bought, and we have all bought the pasta in our local Free From section - but come on, Carluccio you are an Italian institution, and the pasta was dry and tasteless. Being so excited to meet the big A himself I didn't make a fuss, but for me to leave food, it must have been disappointing. So, we watched the big A make his famous Spinach balls (which contain bread crumbs), and then we had our books signed and a little chat about Australia, food and of course I slipped in that we own The Alasia. He actually was really interested because I talked mostly about the gluten free food that we do.

We have been three times in the last month, so my recommendation for GF eating is the Calves Liver which if you are GF, you must order from the GF menu to ensure that you get the right thing, along with a large glass of rose hand-selected for the Carluccio's restaurants. This is Christine, Antonio and me after a little chat and book signing.


SALSA YOUR NIGHT AWAY...Starting Tuesday night 3rd of November, The Alasia is the place to be for Salsa night. Nigel is your dance instructor and the evening starts at 7:30pm. The cost is £6.50 per person to include one drink. Additional drinks will be an additional cost. Salsa is great fitness, a lot of fun, and a real confidence boost.


FOOD INTOLERANCE & IMMUNE TESTING AT THE ALASIA...
Following the success of our once a month walk-in clinics, Wendy & Julie will be a regular at The Alasia with the next clinic taking place at The Alasia on Wednesday 11 November 2009 from 10am until 4pm. It's time to give your body a well needed MOT in time for party season. Click here to read more about these sessions...


SPECIAL OFFERS...CLICK HERE
CHRISTMAS DAY LUNCH AT THE ALASIA...CLICK HERE


A/W MENU LAUNCH...
We launched our new Autumn/Winter evening menu with a food & wine evening on Wednesday 1st October. We were joined by Patrick Pigny of Great Western Wines who enchanted guests with his wine knowledge and his love of our restaurant. Click here to view more from our evening.


RAISING MONEY AND AWARENESS FOR COELIAC UK...
Click here to read about my efforts at this year's Bristol Half Marathon and raising money for Coeliac UK...


THE ALASIA BLEND...our very own coffee
Our new off site barista has been working hard to blend us a our very own coffee called none other than The Alasia blend. We have been grinding and brewing all week and you have told us that you LOVE it.

The most exciting news is that you will be able to enjoy The Alasia at home too. You can purchase The Alasia blend in 250gram bags - fantastically packaged in our own branded bags. This is just too cool.

Thank you to Richard and his team at Coffee Compass.

FIND US ON TWITTER & FACEBOOK...
We have joined the on-line world of Twitter & Facebook.
We update both every day with photos and news. Join to keep up with it all.

Twitter
Facebook

FOODIE FINDS & INFORMATION...


See you soon at The Alasia.
Lots of foodie hugs...

Falling in love with food all over again...

I was diagnosed with Coeliac Disease in 2004. My aunt in Australia also has this condition.

Being diagnosed was the best thing that ever happened to me (apart from falling in love with the divine Mr Smith). It changed my life and finally I started to feel well. Imagine not really knowing how well you could ever feel. I was always sick with cold and flu, stomach upset and felt like I always had a head-ache. I get tired easily these days, but I have colour in my skin, my hair is luscious and my eyes are so blue.

The Alasia is my gift to others who are in my situation. Join us.

Did you know...
That we grow all of our own herbs including parsley, lemon thyme, chives and rosemary.

SPECIAL OFFERS

TEA & TOAST...
Don't forget that we also offer gluten free toast for our tea & toast offer.

Each morning between 10am and 11am, join us for tea & toast for £2.50 per person including butter and jams or marmalade.






COFFEE & CAKE AT THE ALASIA...
We make divine cakes & bakes available every day. From moist orange & polenta, to decadent dark chocolate orange truffle cake.

We serve on their own or with cream or ice cream. We have dairy free, gluten free, vegetarian and low GI cakes (perfect if you want a little treat after a hard work out week).
We also have normal cakes and bakes full of everything naughty and nice.
Each Wednesday is coffee & cake day. Any coffee (or tea) with a slice of one of our cakes for £3.50 per person.

CHRISTMAS DAY LUNCH AT THE ALASIA

CHRISTMAS DAY 2009
Christmas is about good food & good times.

Make memories at The Alasia & relax over our Christmas Day Lunch. Our food is cooked fresh to order so that you can spend time enjoying our atmosphere at this special time of year.

A deposit of £15 per person is required to secure your booking. Table bookings start from 12noon. Enjoy our decorations on your table and in our restaurant.

Five course = £55.00 per person

STARTERS
Feta & Cranberry Filo Parcels (gf,df)
Served on a rocket & red chard salad finished with cranberry vinaigrette & cashews.

Rabbit Terrine (gf, df)
Served with our port & beetroot chutney on mixed leaves.

Smoked Salmon & Mascarpone Gateaux (gf)
Layers of Scottish Salmon sandwiched between pancakes.

Broccoli & Stilton Soup (gf, v)
Served with toasted ciabatta.
***
Champagne Granita served between the starter & main course.
***
MAINS
Pan-Seared Duck Breast With a Black Cherry & Balsamic Jus (gf,df)

Slow Roasted Somerset Lamb With a Minted Red Current Jus (gf,df)

Seasonal Vegetable & Chestnut Casserole With English Mustard Dumplings (gf,df,v)

Turkey Escalope Rolled With a Lemon & Thyme Force Meat (gf, df)

All the above served with traditional roasted vegetables.

Oven-Roasted Fillet of Cod With a Herb Crust (df) (Ask for gf tagliatelle)
Served with a white wine cream & dill tagliatelle.
***
DESSERTS
Cappuccino Crème Brûlée (gf, v)
You never want it to end.

Home Made Christmas Plum Pudding (v)
Served with home made Brandy Sauce, or mixed spice ice cream.
We can arrange a gluten free Christmas Pudding upon request. Please ask.

Decadent Chocolate & Baileys Torte (gf, df, v)
With a scoop of Somerset real Stem Ginger ice cream.


CHEESE BOARD FOR EACH TABLE
Selection of West Country cheeses, crackers & fig chutney


ENGLISH BREAKFAST TEA OR COFFEE WITH MINCE PIES
(Gluten free mince pies will be available if pre-ordered)


HOME MADE CHAMPAGNE TRUFFLES TO FINISH

MEET THE ALASIA HEAD CHEF...JAMES PERRY

Our 60 second interview with James

What is your favourite ingredient?
James...fresh lemon juice. It only has to be a hint, but it is sensational, especially in Italian cooking.

What is your favourite dish to make in 60 seconds?
James...well it takes a bit more than 60 seconds, but I can be pretty quick and that is grilled wild mushrooms with lemon juice and olive oil, then flash paned and served on toasted ciabatta.
(we say, thumbs up to that one).

What is your favourite item on our new evening menu?
James...I love the cracked black pepper ice cream. It is just so wrong, but oh, so right. The mix of cold on hot rump is incredible.

What have you just made?
James...Vanilla & balsamic dressing. We only use high quality ingredients, so our vanilla is A-grade, and mixed with our balsamic syrup and a little oil, it goes great on our salads and swirled through our soup.

Favourite celeb chef?
James...Hugh & Jamie every time.

How does your favourite celeb chef inspire you?
James...When I move to a bigger house with a garden, I want to keep chickens for the eggs and to slaughter. Nothing better than knowing where your chicken has come from. Every time I read through Hugh's book, I just want to grow my own, rear my own, slaughter my own.

The Alasia...keeping an eye on James.

What's cooking?
Next week is all about the pumpkin. Sweet & savoury pumpkin pies just for Halloween. We are keeping a close eye on our home made Christmas Plum Pudding, and getting ready for Christmas. We have sourced gorgeous Somerset lamb.

The Alasia...Thanks James, you are our star.

Food Intolerance & Immune Testing at The Alasia

We welcome Wendy Langley of Wellbeing Touch, qualified food nutritionist to The Alasia where she will run a one day walk-in clinic each month. The next clinic will be held on Wednesday 11 November 2009 from 10am until 4pm.

It is a walk-in clinic, so there is no need to pre-book appointments, but do be aware that you will have to wait to be seen. You will be asked to fill in a form and the session takes 25 minutes. It is a mini-session (like a taster). The full session is about 45 minutes to an hour. The mini-session is £15.00 and aims to give you an insight and an understanding of how you are feeling, coping, what you are eating, how you are handling changes in life, and overall wellness.

With party season just around the corner, it is good to give your body a well deserved MOT. From head-aches, weakness, tiredness, menopause, ups and downs with hormones, stomach upsets, trying to conceive, itchy skin, irritable moods or bowels... you name it, Wendy will listen and then test you via the MSAS machine which is MERIDIAN STRESS ASSESSMENT SYSTEM - this is the most advanced and accurate testing of its kind which is non-invasive.

Put the date in your diary.

A/W Food & Wine evening

A/W EVENING MENU LAUNCH...

Our Autumn Food & Wine evening was a success. If you couldn't come, we missed you. But you have plenty of time to come and try our new evening menu, and there is certainly plenty to choose from. Above is a picture of our rump with a scoop of home made cracked black pepper ice cream, which is getting rave reviews.

My favourites are the juniper crusted venison, sea bass terrine with our gorgeous new gluten free ciabatta, the vegetable & chestnut casserole, & I am in love with the green tea ice cream sprinkled with lavender sugar.

I make our lavender sugar with dried heads from my cottage garden. We sprinkle our lavender sugare on our delicious green tea ice cream and fresh melon.