Honest Bao

Sometimes you just need a decent brew, a comfortable chair,  and somewhere that won't make you feel guilty for lingering. The Bantam Tea Rooms in Chipping Campden ticks those boxes — just don't go in expecting to be bowled over. Decent scone, but the cake was overly sweetened  as expected 🍽️ Food & Drinks The food here is solidly competent — reliably good rather than exciting. Portions are fair and there's nothing that'll have you reaching for your camera, but equally nothing that'll disappoint a hungry stomach mid-Cotswolds wander. It's classic tea room territory: think brunch staples and afternoon bites done without much fuss. The tea selection does the job, which — given the name — is frankly the baseline expectation. Decent full breakfast 👋 Service Service is pleasant enough — perfectly polite and functional, though it won't leave a lasting impression. Staff get the job done without being particularly memorable either way. No complaints, no standin...

Alright, foodies, grab your wellies. Remind you Jeremy Clarkson is the owner Today we are going for a journey deep into the Cotswolds - checking out The Farmer’s Dog, the highly anticipated country pub opened by Jeremy Clarkson. With thousands of glowing reviews plastered all over TikTok and Instagram, I rolled up expecting a literal culinary miracle. The reality? It’s a cracking good feed, but it might just be a tiny bit of a victim of its own massive internet hype. Nice character building Let's start with the positives: the food here is genuinely lovely. We are talking proper British comfort food, served up in absolutely massive portions that guarantee you won't leave hungry. Best of all, for a place attached to a major celebrity name, it actually won't break the bank. Nicely cooked and tender pork rib Let's start with the positives: the food here is genuinely lovely. We are talking proper British comfort food, served up in absolutely massive portions that guarantee y...

If you think "service station food" only means sad, squashed meal deals or lukewarm fast food, then you haven’t pulled into Gloucester Services yet. Usually, I'm hunting down the best dim sum or ramen, but today we are pivoting to a true British staple. If you are heading down towards the Cotswolds, this isn't just a pitstop—it’s an absolute culinary destination. Probably the best looking service in Britain? First off, the design here is gorgeous.The whole place is beautifully decorated with an airy, eco-friendly vibe. But let's talk about the real stars of the show: the hot food counter. Rich and flavourful steak pie The food here is genuinely amazing. I am talking about hands-down one of the absolute best sausage rolls and richest steak pies you can get anywhere in the country, let alone from a motorway service station. The pastry is perfectly golden and flaky, and the fillings are deeply savoury and comforting. Flaky, crispy sausage roll, miles better than Greg...

We all love a gorgeous, aesthetic brunch spot.  So, naturally, I rolled up to Medicine Bakery at the Mailbox in Birmingham, expecting a serene morning of great vibes and even better food. The decor? Absolutely great. It’s the kind of relaxing, breezy space that practically begs you to sit down, sip a matcha, and catch up with friends. Unfortunately, the universe—and the kitchen—had other plans. To say they were understaffed is an understatement; there was exactly one brave soul tackling the entire front of house. Combine that with a sudden kitchen breakdown, and we were left playing the waiting game for nearly thirty minutes. When the food finally graced our table, it looked beautiful. Instagram ready? Absolutely. Taste-wise? It was... fine. Decent, but nothing that made my soul sing. It’s a perfectly okay brunch spot that probably shines much brighter on a quiet Tuesday when the kitchen equipment isn't staging a rebellion. To their credit, the staff tried to patch things over by o...