The Vermillion Effect

Where do i even start this well-deserved rant from?? Ever thought of going somewhere "fantastic" for a date? Or perhaps treating that special friend to a meal, Orrrr even taking the rents there as a way to "show off" the beautiful city that Manchester is? If you havent experienced the art that is Vermillion and Cinnabar then might i ask; what are you waiting for? So you havent tried anything from the delicious sushi menu, or the array of mouth-watering starters? You havent had a chance to indulge in their Thai green curry??? YOU have not tried any item from the dessert menu? even the world-class fruit platter? And you live in Manchester? Youre on a long thing!!!

Ok ok i kid i kid,i joke i joke, but basically YOU need to experience the way of life that is "Vermillion". I am still yet to go to a place with such an amazing ambience (no exaggeration intended). Everything about that place screams CLASS! The decor is far from being subtle, and of course the food is anything but subtle on your senses.. I remember the first time i went there, having read about its grand opening in the heat magazine (very random right?), i had to visit!! I am so glad i didnt dress down now lol.  It felt like we were being watched, there were waiters at all four corners of the table WATCHING YOU (I kid you not), my napkin was quickly readjusted as it slid to the side, my plate was immediately refilled soon as i had my last bite, it was too MUCH! Actually they must have thought i was a WAG probably and yeah it was new and empty too lol. But guess what? It didnt stop me from going back. Youll be glad to know though, the waiters have lives now thank heavens, phew! (or maybe theyve realised am not a WAG? :( lol). You do need to take the evening off to visit though, not only because you'll be stuffed like a turkey after the meal, you also NEED to head upstairs to Cinnabar (and please dont take chavs with you thank you..actually they wont even be allowed in- WINNING!). Cinnabar's cocoon beds are fantastic but you do need to buy the whole package including the champagne that comes with it, the rest of the bar area is really nice though and of course you can get some sexy non-alcoholic cocktails too.


To those of you that know what "santi" is- Vermillion no dey carry last oh!- i remember my friend tasting the starter and starting the most random convo about how much meat brazilian restaurants serve, using her hands to accurately describe the size of the meat portions LOL (you know yourself). And although you might have figured out its my fave place to eat, i repeat, it is my all-time favourite restaurant. Last February, my wonderful friends treated me to a surprise birthday dinner there, i have never felt so special in my life....who wouldnt love that, a surprise and where else?? in my fave place- DOUBLE BONUS!! (still not over it)


The last time i was there a few weeks ago for a cousin's birthday, I dropped off the cake with one of the waiters at the beginning, and although i forgot about it halfway through the meal (thats what the food there does to you), we were pleasantly surprised by a group of the waiters and a sparkling cake! LOVED IT, especially as it brought back memories of my surprise!! I will TRY not to go there between now and graduation (toes and fingers crossed :D) so i dont get tolerant to the vermillion effect i am quickly getting addicted to!


Ok folks, thats all for now. I leave you with a few images to hopefully leave you in a state of Euphoria (WARNING- Photos are extremely enticing, too bad i have lost a lot of the old ones i had :P). Enjoy!!
xoxo

Starter platter- Beef skewers, fish cakes and vegetable
 spring rolls

Sea Bass Pla Neung Manao

Warm Gulab Jamun with Vanilla Ice-cream and Chocolate Sauce

Coconut Panna Cotta flavoured with galangal raspberry

Assorted Fresh and exotic Thai fruit platter

Plane Food

What about plane food? Our thoughts on plane food we probably will never agree on. I have met people who absolutely LOVE it and in-fact look forward to flying because of the food, and on the other hand,  i have met those who detest it and the mere sight of it makes them gag. Funny enough, i have been part of both groups. As a child i used to adore plane food, i remember having the best jollof rice and fried beef on a Chanchangi flight to Lagos years back (the rice had the right amount of salt, pepper and water, and the beef was fried just right yummy!!). Unfortunately as an adult, i have become a "nose-coverer". The smell is nauseating enough. 

Ah well, theres no harm in reassessing situations once in a while right? So on my way back to Manchester a week ago, i thought to myself "you know youre gonna have to try eating something on this 8 hour flight right?". After ignoring the menu and doing every other irrelevant thing, i found myself in a Pavlov's dogs situation- seriously salivating to the choice of foods on the menu. And OMG the food was delicious!!! I chose the Arabian mezze as a starter, had heavenly salmon with tomato sauce for the main course and the dessert (the best part) was this wild berry and orange fragipane with grenadine flavoured custard!! Absolutely fantastic. 

Arabian Mezze

Salmon with tomato sauce and potatoes

Wild berry and orange fragipane with grenadine flavoured custard

I think i have been converted back to my childhood plane food loving days again, i'd much rather be stuck in childhood forever anyway. And on this note i leave you with a few wise words to live by; LIFE IS BIPOLAR!! Go wild, try something different, do new always! Next time youre on a plane, try that food will ya? after all the toilet is always a jog away! xoxo