A specially curated guide to help you enjoy the next 48 hours in Bath

WEEKEND WINES  |  ROJOMOMA READY

Boutique, small batch and handcrafted are all descriptive words you come across when reading about a small family-run winery, but Rojomoma is all of those and more. Set among acres of dry grown bush vines in the Ebenezer sub-region of the Barossa, South Australia, sits Rojomoma. It's a family-owned, run and operated winery producing an outstanding range. The craftmanship and passion is evident in their wines, all due to the unstoppable drive of winemaker Sam Kurtz, Bernadette Kaeding and son Raj. Producing the absolute best-quality wines they can, vintage after vintage, is paramount.

Grenache plantings that have been in the ground since 1886 are Shiraz, Tempranillo, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon, which have been planted over the two and half decades they have owned the vineyards. The vines are carefully nurtured with close attention to hand pruning, they are shoot thinned to manage the quality and yields and fruit is handpicked every year. All this results in top-quality fruit and the freedom to produce balanced, delicately bold, expressive wines.

Head to Rojomoma Wines to discover the range. 
The Great Wine Co.

WEEKEND BAKE  |  WARMING COMFORT

If you've yet to be seduced by the charms of this subtly stunning showstopper, prepare for a very special date night. This glorious combination of silky salmon in a luxuriously creamy, dill- and watercress-infused sauce all wrapped up in buttery, melt-in-the-mouth pastry could be described as a posh fish pasty – think of it like that, and putting it together gets easier by the minute.

As is the case with all classic recipes that use few ingredients, the quality of those ingredients is intrinsic to the success of the dish. So buy the best sustainable salmon you can afford, preferably wild. Meanwhile, few people have the skills, time or inclination for making quality puff pastry, but only an all-butter shop bought brand will do. I've specified using full fat cream cheese here because reduced fat tends to result in a runnier sauce that lacks the silky, creamy qualities you get from the full fat experience.

Ingredients (serves 4)

500g skinned salmon fillets
100g watercress
200g full fat cream cheese
2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
1 tbsp lemon juice
Freshly ground black pepper
500g block all-butter puff pastry
Egg yolk, for glazing
buttered new potatoes and steamed green beans, to serve

Method

1. Rinse the salmon fillets in cold water and pat dry with kitchen paper.

2. Pick the leaves from the watercress (discarding the woodier stalks), blanch briefly in boiling water and refresh under the cold tap before draining completely.

3. Mix the watercress, cream cheese, dill, black pepper and lemon juice together until well combined, either by hand or in a blender.

4. Line the base of a baking sheet with greaseproof paper or baking parchment.

5. On a lightly floured surface, roll just over half of the pastry to around the thickness of a pound coin and approximately 3cm larger than the salmon fillets in diameter. Lay the pastry sheet on the lined tray.

6. Place half of the salmon fillets, skinned side down, on the pastry and top with the cream cheese mixture in a nice even layer. Lay the remaining salmon fillets on top of the mixture, skinned side up.

7. Brush the edge of the pastry base with a little beaten egg yolk.

8. Roll the remaining pastry (to the thickness of a pound coin) and drape it over the filled fillets. 'Tuck' the parcel in, then seal the edges using a fork/crimping motion before trimming the seal for a neat finish. You can now use a spoon to create a scale-like effect on the top of the pastry.

9. Glaze the top of the croûte with more beaten egg yolk and a sprinkling of salt then put the whole thing in the fridge to chill for a minimum of 30 minutes (note: you can leave the unbaked croûte in the fridge for up to 24 hours.)

10. Preheat the oven to 220°C/200°C fan/gas 7. Bake the croûte for 15 minutes before lowering the heat to 180°C/160°C fan/gas 4 and baking for approximately 20 minutes more, until the top is evenly golden.

11. Remove from the oven and allow to stand for 10 minutes before slicing and serving with buttered new potatoes and steamed green beans.

Wine recommendation: 
The Great Wine Co. recommends Farrago Chardonnay 2018, Kooyong to enjoy with Salmon en Croûte. Its seriously intense greengage and nectarine aromas mingle with gunflint and fine oak. It has a fabulous intensity on the palate: concentrated peach, vibrant appley acidity, powerful and full-bodied – although its razor-sharp edge keeps it lively and fresh. Finishes with tangy, concentrated apricot compote – Delicious!

The Great Wine Co.

FOODIE DELIGHTS  |  DESTINATION CHEESE

Nibbles Cheese
Cute dairy-centric emporium at the epicentre of the Guildhall Market, established over 40 years ago and today specialising in an amazing array of local and European classic cheeses plus a neat selection of complimentary terrines, rilletes, confit, cassoulet and choucroute garnie – oh, and free-range, locally sourced bacon, sausages and eggs, too.

facebook.com/pages/category/Real-Estate/Nibbles

Bath Soft Cheese
Bath's very own award-winning range of speciality organic cheeses lovingly created by artisan cheese maker Graham Padfield, who found the original recipe for Bath Soft Cheese in an old grocer’s book and today makes it in the same buildings in which his grandmother made her Cheddar on his farm in Kelston. Buy it at the farm shop, online or in various local farmers' markets

parkfarm.co.uk

Bath Fine Cheese Co
Cheese heaven on Walcot Street earth! Browse and buy from a vast selection of British and European artisan cheeses, all made to traditional methods, and best paired with the crackers, chutneys, biscuits, pickles, wines, etc that line the shelves, all specifically chosen to compliment the coagulated casein at the heart of the matter.

finecheese.co.uk

Paxton and Whitfield
Chic boutique cheese shopping experience courtesy of a long-established multiple royal warrant-holding cheesemonger, established in London's Jermyn Street in 1797. Expect to encounter exceptional, impeccably sourced, well cared-for cheese served by genteel, knowledgeable experts.

paxtonandwhitfield.co.uk

RESTAURANT REVIEW  |  A SOMERSET BREEZE

The high ceilings at the Ivy certainly lift any anxiety about social distancing, and the Art Deco-inspired interiors, chandeliers, arched windows, colourful tiles and eclectic wall art make you feel like a major star in an uber-glam 1930s film. 

On a warm evening the alfresco terrace is a winner, where you can choose a sun-dappled table, and sample an Ivy Sling or a Somerset Breeze (among many other cocktails), or boost yourself with a Nogroni or an Elderflower Garden, both infused with Seedlip’s distilled non-alcoholic spirits. All manner of tantalising, contemporary and internationally inspired brasserie-style dishes vie for attention on the menu (such as jackfruit and peanut bang bang salad, Keralan sweet potato curry, chargrilled halloumi, lobster linguine, chicken Milanese, and blackened cod baked in a banana leaf with a rich soy and sesame marinade) or you can follow a more classic anglo route (prawn cocktail, shepherd’s pie, fish and chips, grilled chicken salad, minute steak, truffle mashed potato). 

You'll never be too full for dessert – menu highlights include rum baba, a soft warm brioche steeped in rum and chantilly cream, and chocolate bomb, which implodes under the hot caramel sauce and melts into the ice-cream. 

What's more, you'll get star treatment at this starry retreat.

39 Milsom Street, Bath BA1 1DS
theivybathbrasserie.com

MOCKTAIL HOUR |  HOW TO MAKE A MOCK-A-RITA

Mockingbird Spirit is a new alcohol-free, Tequila-inspired Agave-based spirit. This unique addition to the mocktail scene makes a stunning gift and is from a local Bristol company who are setting out to bring inclusivity to anyone who is off the booze. Made using functional, versatile, authentic, vegan and gluten-free ingredients, you can expect Earthy Blue Weber Agave, sweet vanilla and cinnamon with a healthy hint of habanero – evocative and moreish!. Passionately produced with the adaptogen Ashwagandha to support health and happiness, it's the perfect pour – in a margarita, naturally! Available in 50cl and 5cl bottles.

mockingbirdspirit.com

OBJECT OF INTEREST  |  BREITLING

DISCOVER  |  NEW INGREDIENTS

What is it? A mature version of regular white garlic, naturally heat-aged over a number of months resulting in sticky black cloves, often with a soft texture.

What does it taste like? Sweeter than white garlic but with a rich, super-savoury tamarind/balsamic vinegar/molasses personality.

Added bonus: Black garlic is loaded with antioxidants (over twice the amount found in white garlic)... and over-indulging doesn't leave you with the dreaded garlic breath.

How should I use it? Black garlic doesn't need long, slow cooking to soften the acrid bite associated with white garlic, so can be added to soups, casseroles and sauces at any stage of the cooking process. It's also wonderful in pesto, salad dressings and mayonnaise, and can even be slathered directly onto bread, Marmite-fashion.

Where can I buy it? Bath Farmers' Market, Green Park Station; Eades Greengrocers (Crescent Lane); Super Stokes (Moorland Road); or online at blackgarlic.co.uk

IN THE KITCHEN  |  NUTRITIOUS AND DELICIOUS

TAKE 5  |  CHERISHING OUR INDIES

This little gem of a shop continues to be one of Bath’s favourite gift and jewellery stores and has been a family-run and independent business for 65 years. You’ll find it tucked away in Union Passage, close to Bath Abbey and the Roman Baths. The shop is a firm favourite with visitors and residents and has a reputation for great customer service. Holding Bath’s largest selection of silver jewellery with prices ranging from £5 to £500, the staff work hard to source a wide selection of pieces with some ranges, such as their best-selling Daisy Collection of jewellery, handmade by local jewellers (see image above). 

The shop forms two parts: the jewellery room, consisting mainly of silver jewellery, and the gift area in the front area of the shop offering a teeming variety of gift ideas or treats. The owners put all their efforts into ensuring that the shop retains its traditional feel and offer a friendly, warm and professional service. With a small workshop on site, The Silver Shop offers a charm soldering service for customers, as well as alterations and repairs. Make this your first stop if you’re looking for a gift for someone special or just to treat yourself to something such as a clock or a candle, a christening gift or even a Charlie bear. The Silver Shop is open 9.30am-5pm, Monday to Saturday.

thesilvershopofbath.co.uk

THE KIOSK  |  MAGAZINE MOMENTS

Curated by Daniel McCabe – Magalleria

Koel fuses yarn crafts and fibre arts for home interiors and furnishings with a distinctly contemporary, even minimalist vibe rather than the traditional or rustic. Showcasing crochet, knitting, weaving, punch needling, needlework and macramé as well as new yarns, tools, patterns and more, Koel is published by a craft blogger and maker in the Netherlands to provide inspiration, advice and trend information for the creative and design-minded at all levels. It’s lush, unusual and – with its interiors angle – very innovative.

£12; magalleria.co.uk

ON THE BOOKSHELF  |  KEEP READING

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW  |  ALASTAIR FOTHERGILL

The Covid-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc in countries across the world, caused a global health crisis and forced economies to slow down due to strict quarantine measures. The outbreak, when much of the world was in lockdown, also seemed to have a positive and dramatic impact on our environment – there was a reduction of carbon emissions in certain regions and an improvement in air quality. Room for optimism, then? Scientists and decision makers, however, continue to debate whether these initial promising shifts in behaviour can be sustained in the long term as economies begin to revive.

In contemplation of this, we look back to Jessica Hope’s interview with Alastair Fothergill – the producer of Our Planet, the ground-breaking documentary released on Netflix last year – who addressed the issues that are harming our planet. Unfortunately they are still with us.

Enjoy our full interview here

ON THE BOX  |  THE RACE TO SPACE

Released on Disney Plus today, The Right Stuff follows the incredible story of the early days of the US space program, based on the iconic bestseller by Tom Woolfe.

At the height of the Cold War, newly-formed NASA selects seven US fighter pilots to test experimental aircraft and rockets to become the first Mercury astronauts. 

Watch as astronauts and their families become instant celebrities, competing to be the first in space and inspiring the world to turn to a new horizon of ambition and hope.

Watch the full series on Disney Plus here

WHAT'S ON  |  POPULAR EVENTS

Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Olly Murs will both be appearing in Bath in 2021 with tickets now available for booking. Sophie is at The Forum with her Kitchen Disco Tour on 14 May, a reference to her Instagram Live Kitchen Discos during the Covid-19 lockdown. On 15 July Olly will perform his biggest hits at The Royal Crescent, including tracks from his recently certified triple platinum album Never Been Better.

Book tickets for Sophie Ellis-Bextor from Ticketmaster and The Forum and for Olly Murs at bathboxoffice.org.uk

THE BIG SHOPPER  |  CASUAL BY DAY, COSY BY NIGHT

As the temperature drops, keeping cosy at home is top of the agenda. John Lewis has just added fashion brand Their Nibs to its autumn line up of great names. As well as pieces from John Lewis’s own range there are lots of great collections all adding cosy clothing to make the most of daytime casual wear and keeping snug and warm at night.

Image: left John Lewis & Partners Cleo velour hoodie, £29 (matching lounge pants, £29) Available in Midnight, Pink, Blue Grey or Khaki. Right: Their Nibs Pink Lion pyjama set, £30

JohnLewis.com

INTERIOR STYLE  |  GET YOUR FEET UP

PROPERTY OF THE WEEK  |  NEW ON THE MARKET

This property in St James’s Square has a facade with decorative stonework, wrought-iron balconettes, lamplight and an archway. The ground floor was once a chemist shop with a dispensary to the rear – and the front room has a very distinctive decorative Lincrusta ceiling.

The accommodation is spread over 5 floors, with a drawing and withdrawing room on the first and a traditional kitchen on the lower ground with Aga and original dresser. The property has 4 bedrooms, and there are rooms on the ground floor and first floors which could be used as additional bedrooms.

Recent improvements and refurbishments to the property include rewiring, replumbing and an overhaul of the roof and windows. The external ironwork is currently being refurbished, including the balconettes at first floor level.

The property has an attractive courtyard area to the rear, which, while not within the curtilage of the property, has had established use for in excess of 30 years.

This is a wonderful opportunity to purchase a fine Grade I listed property in a superb residential location and a viewing is strongly recommended by the sole agents Cobb Farr.

cobbfarr.com

Our October issue is available to read online