Boboli is Getting Ready to Open!

Dear Wonderful Friends and Supporters of The Lighthouse and Boboli,
 
To say we are thrilled, relieved and over the moon at the Government’s recent announcement is an understatement . . . we cannot wait to get back to operating our wonderful restaurants.
 
Those of you who follow our progress and antics on social media will know that we have been keeping ourselves very busy.  

We are proud that we have managed to look after our team over this difficult time. Now, we are working hard to do our best as we proceed with this tricky period of starting back to work.  We will be training our staff so that we are all completely on the ball with regards to the regimes and requirements of us as service providers, ensuring that we are creating a safe and comfortable environment for both you, our lovely customers, and our staff alike.
 
Since May, we have been running a takeaway service out of Boboli.  This has been so well received and successful that we believe there will continue to be a need for this even after we reopen fully as a restaurant.  

There are still some essential works to be completed at Boboli before we can fling open the doors again.  So, our plan is to reopen Boboli on Thursday, 30th July and move the takeaway service to The Lighthouse. 
 
We feel that it will be too much to operate two outlets simultaneously under the new guidelines. The Lighthouse is a smaller space and will be more difficult to run whilst trying to observe social distancing etc.
 
There will be some of you who are, perhaps, not yet ready to eat out in a public environment, we'll therefore still able to provide for those people with takeaway from The Lighthouse, as well as serving those who are more comfortable with the dining out experience at Boboli . . .  so, we can look after all your needs . . . simples! 
 
In brief, we are here and cannot wait to see you all in whatever form it takes . . . at the table or via takeaway.
 
We’re not yet sure how the timings of bookings will work and exactly how many tables we will have, so if you would like to make a booking at Boboli, please email us and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.

Ciao for now!

Sarah & Lino x

'At Our Table' with Julie from Mon Amie

So, it’s a New Year . . .  let’s see who is ‘At Our Table’ for 2020 . . .

It’s lovely Julie of Mon Amie . . . As the photo shows, Julie is one of two, the other being the equally lovely Lou, the pair reside at The Barn in High Street, Kibworth, just up the road from the Lighthouse.

They have helped me revamp our florals at both restaurants using their amazing, look like real Faux Flowers that look amazingly lifelike and add colour and warmth to the restaurants. 

Julie’s enigmatic charm, zest for life and certain style is irresistible and pours out of all that she takes on.  The fresh as well as the faux flowers, the wreath making and various artistic classes that they host at The Barn, as well as the gorgeous gifts and bits and pieces they sell are such a valuable addition to Kibworth High Street.  It’s kind of like an oasis of loveliness in the chaos . . . it leaves you warm and fuzzy inside.

When did you first dine at Boboli or The Lighthouse?
Gosh, I can't even remember it was that long ago - literally years ago!  We definitely dined at The Lighthouse shortly after it opened under that branding - how long ago was that?

What prompted you to visit us/how did you hear of us?
It was probably a dinner date with girlfriends... truthfully again I really can't remember - showing my age now!

What’s your favourite dish at Boboli?
It used to be Lasagne - and I know that's a favourite for so many people at Boboli - but I've recently given up eating meat altogether, so I usually go for a fish dish now. The fish of the day is always delicious!

At The Lighthouse?
Ok, so the Fish and Chips is just brilliant - always a winner. And I love all the starter nibble dishes - especially salmon pâté and whitebait. But my all-time favourite thing in The Lighthouse is actually the side dish of baked fennel. It's honestly delicious and I have it without fail every time I eat at The Lighthouse. Try as I might though, I haven't yet managed to recreate it quite as well at home - but that's the joy of eating out and always an excuse to go back to The Lighthouse.

What is it you love about our restaurants?
The ease of dining. You can be with friends or family - in for a fancy dinner date or a casual Friday night supper. I love that you can grab a simple coffee at Boboli at 10am. We've often met with prospective brides for a coffee to talk wedding flowers. The service is always excellent - speedy when it needs to be, discreet and efficient. I love that I always feel welcome. 

Do you enjoy cooking at home?
Yes - I love cooking at home - cooking at weekends is my favourite when I have more time to consider what I'm doing.                            

What’s your own speciality?
I can actually make a mean lasagne - even though I don't eat it myself these days! And I have a fab fish curry recipe that always goes down well.  I also love making summer salads for BBQs with friends. In the summer I was making a  a lentil and goats cheese salad with marinated onions as well as a nectarine and tomato salad with feta and mint.  

What are your views on food trends?
I absolutely love a fad and a trend - especially when it's food-related!  Indeed, I'm known for adopting whatever is happening now. So, I've been vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, no dairy, no sugar, intermittent fasting (I'm doing that now!), raw food, Kombucha - you name it, I've probably tried it! And I'm a bit of a geek so I always become an expert in whatever I'm doing... advocating it to anybody that will listen! I think it's great that we can all try new things for the good of our health to see what suits us - I generally start full-on with a food trend and then see what sticks long-term.

Do you have any of your own special dietary needs?
No special dietary needs - just the 'fad du jour' - currently pescatarian, intermittent fasting, no sugar, no milk (dairy kind - just all the non-dairy alternatives you can think of!)

Do you believe it’s still possible to enjoy eating out even if you have special dietary requirements?
Of course - you just have to find restaurants that cater for your needs. Most good restaurants now will have vegetarian and often vegan options which is great. Luckily being fad-based, I'm not too rigid and my principles can easily slip if there's a desert that takes my fancy!

What style of food/country of origin is your favourite?
Probably Italian - I love Mediterranean food of all kinds - with loads of olive oil and herbs. I also love Thai and Eastern dishes and will always choose a Thai Curry if there's one on the menu.

Do you enjoy wine?
I have to say, I'm not much of a wine drinker. But my husband is a massive fan of Bordeaux reds - so I often have a glass of that if there's one open - and if I'm not on child taxi-service duties!

Which is your favourite?
My all-time favourite red wine is Pomerol. I tried it first with my French sister-in-law when I was in my 20s and I couldn't believe red wine could taste that good - it followed several years as a student when my budget would only stretch to whatever was £2.99 in Threshers!

Is Gin a tipple you enjoy?
Yes! I love a gin and tonic - especially in the summer

If so, do you have a favourite flavour or brand?
I don't really have a favourite. I love trying new gins and also tonic flavours. I did a Gin Making experience day in London last year which was brilliant, and I have to say the gin I created (whilst rather tipsy and not paying much attention!) was actually rather good!

If tempted, which is your cocktail of choice?
Porn Star Martini - I love passion fruit! Or a good old-fashioned Pina Colada!

What would you particularly recommend about Boboli and The Lighthouse when mentioning the restaurants to your friends?
All of the great reasons that I love the restaurants that I've mentioned above. I'd say you can always get great food when you need it - with excellent service and ambience.

Thank you to Julie for taking the time to answer our questions.

As I mentioned they are a duo, so Lou, you may think you have slipped the net this time, but how could I possibly “Do” one of you and not the other!  Watch this space!

A Bientot!

Sarah x

'At Our Table' With Debbie James

Welcome to our Blog Slot, ‘At Our Table’ where we are featuring local, like-minded business people, who also happen to be friends of our business.

Next to our table is Debbie James from Kibworth Books.

It was a happy day indeed when the lovely Debbie opened up shop in Kibworth. . . I call her the Book fairy 😊

Debbie has brought a style, a splash of colour and passion for books to our village and truly embraced the sense of community that is so important to our village.  Working with schools and pre-schools, helping to get the message of literature across to the very young and keeping it accessible to all. Her shop is vibrant and full of fun but also something of an Aladdin’s cave of wonderous cultural treasure. I love it!! Super cards, gifts and sumptuous wrapping paper too she really is an asset to our High Street. . . thank you Debbie!

It’s also a happy chance that she’s a foodie too! So, we are all winning!

Her spirit and charming humour are evident in all she does, and in her answers to our questions too. . . I hope that you enjoy reading them so much that you are lured into her shop, one of the treasures of our village.

 

When did you first dine at Boboli or The Lighthouse?
The company I used to work for, Premier Drum Company moved its offices to Kibworth in 2008 and my boyfriend at the time (now husband) who also worked at Premier had heard about a 'new Italian restaurant' opening nearby through word of mouth. So, I think we dined at Boboli pretty much in the week it opened. I moved to Albert Street a few years later and it became our dining room at least once a week. . . if not 2 or 3 times! We've got to know The Lighthouse better since we moved nearer to it and we absolutely love it. We tend to go there to celebrate special occasions. I also book tables there for any authors who come to do events for my bookshop in the village, when they request a meal before or after their talk/book-signing etc.

What prompted you to visit us/how did you hear of us?
see above 😊

What’s your favourite dish at Boboli?
Even though it's not currently on the menu, I still get away with requesting Penne Arrabiata from when I lived down the road. I always have rocket & parmesan to accompany it and 'cheesy garlic bread' to start.

At The Lighthouse?
Being veggie, I make up my own main course with a few of the tapas eg Bruschetta with goats’ cheese and caponata and the mushroom and stilton tartlet.

What is it you love about our restaurants?
Everyone who works there is super-friendly and the ambience is great at both places.

Do enjoy cooking at home?
I'm afraid this isn't something I ever spend much time on. Hence eating at B & The L so often!

What’s your own speciality?
N/A!

What are your views on food trends?
I'm enjoying the seemingly universal increase in vegan options very much.

Do you have any of your own special dietary needs?
I've been veggie for 26 years and do try to avoid dairy products as much as possible.

Do you believe it’s still possible to enjoy eating out even if you have special dietary requirements?
Yes: good restaurants should accommodate most requests nowadays. So many places are doing this well that one can't afford not to.

What style of food/country of origin is your favourite?
I would have to say Italian - so good for vegetable-lovers, as is Indian food, which would be my second favourite.

Do you enjoy wine?
I do quite like wine, but if I'm having a boozy drink, I prefer ice-cold Peroni.  

Which is your favourite?
I would always choose a white from Puglia if available, which is where Colin and I got engaged and the wine from that region is delicious.

Is Gin a tipple you enjoy?
Nope! I have failed to be lured by its trendiness. I do like tonic water on its own though, with ice and fresh lime.            

If tempted, which is your cocktail of choice?
Anything with rose in it. I really like mocktails too, especially citrus flavours. I think more places should do more exciting non-alcoholic drinks.

What would you particularly recommend about Boboli and The Lighthouse when mentioning the restaurants to your friends?
The atmosphere and the food in equal measure. We are so lucky to have both of these restaurants in Kibworth. Thank you Sarah and Lino!

Grazie mille to Debbie for taking the time to answer our questions.

See you at a table near us soon.

Sarah x

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 20TH ANNIVERSARY QUIZ

Q18 On which street in Kibworth Harcourt did Debbie first live?

Just answer in the comments below and we’ll enter you into our prize draw celebrating our 20th anniversary!  (Please be sure to put your email address on your comment so that we can contact you if you’re one of our lucky winners)

Look out for other 20th anniversary quiz questions on our future blog posts.  Prize draw winners to be announced on 1st January 2020.

BEAU-JOLLY INDEEDY

About a hundred years ago some winemakers of the Beaujolais region, in southern Burgundy, of beautiful France decided that they would produce a cheap and cheerful little number to celebrate the end of the harvest and the new vintage grapes.  Over the ensuing years the tradition has grown legs, and now the occasion is marked, always on the third Thursday of November, with a competition to identify the 12 varieties of Beaujolais wine. . . and the attention of wine buffs all over the world is rapt. . . the Town’s streets heave with celebrations and festivities as the party progresses into the night, torches parade and fireworks boom, and at exactly midnight the residents of Beaujeu open the barrels of the new wine and announce the arrival of new vintage Beaujolais Nouveau!

The waiting world of wine has embarked on trains, planes and automobiles in order to be the first to serve the wine, the race is on and Beaujolais is the prize. 

In the ‘90s, the tradition seemed to peter out a little amid criticism of the quality of the wine, and a lack of style and class. . . Could the French have loosened their grip on the standard?  After all, Les Anglais were so caught up in the fun, does it matter how the wine actually tastes?

Well, maybe once that was so, but these days the tradition lives on and seems as popular as ever.

The Gamay grape is fruity and lends itself well to the inimitable style of the wine which is fermented using the whole berries.  It is young, light, fresh, and worryingly, very easy drinking.  Lovely served chilled too!

One of the joys of The Lighthouse is that we can embrace this date, and in true style we offer a fabulous French Retro menu to serve with this rather classy little wine, certainly less cheap and cheerful than its original was intended to be.

We may need to divert some of our allocation to Boboli too, we can’t let The Lighthouse have all the fun!  

The Lighthouse is celebrating Beaujolais Nouveau Day with a special menu, you can find more information here.

Ciao for now!

Sarah x

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20TH ANNIVERSARY QUIZ

Q17 What date is Beaujolais Nouveau Day this year?

Just answer in the comments below and we’ll enter you into our prize draw celebrating our 20th anniversary!  (Please be sure to put your email address on your comment so that we can contact you if you’re one of our lucky winners)

Look out for other 20th anniversary quiz questions on our future blog posts.  Prize draw winners to be announced on 1st January 2020.