Guys Who Dine

A Seaside Gem Reborn at Alum Beach Hut .
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📍The Seafront, Alum Chine, Westbourne, Bournemouth BH4 8AN
​If you’re looking for the ultimate beachfront dining experience in Bournemouth, the newly refreshed Alum Beach Hut needs to be at the top of your list.
Under the care of fantastic new owners and a team of incredibly friendly, welcoming staff, this spot has nailed the perfect balance of relaxed seaside vibes and top-tier coastal cooking.

​Sun, Sea, and Smiles
​The location is unbeatable—you are dining right on the seafront with stunning, uninterrupted views.
It’s completely dog-friendly with a menu for them.
Also family-friendly, making it just as perfect for a relaxed post-walk lunch with your pup as it is for a special family dinner.
The new team makes you feel like an old friend from the moment you walk in.

​Everything is freshly cooked to order, and you can absolutely taste the quality.
​We kicked things off with the Salt and pepper dusted squid served with cajun mayo.
The squid was beautifully tender with a perfectly crisp, seasoned batter, and the cajun mayo added just the right amount of smoky kick.

​The Mains:
​The Seafood Linguine was a knockout, generously loaded with fresh clams, plump prawns, and perfectly cooked mussels. It tasted like summer on a plate.
​We also ordered the Jumbo Prawns, which arrived with a rich, decadent garlic butter.
Accompanied by a crisp mixed leaf salad and house-made focaccia to mop up every last drop of that garlic butter.

​While we were eating, a freshly baked pizza landed on the table next to us. It looked so spectacular that we actually had to ask our neighbours if we could snap a quick picture!
We will definitely be back to try the pizzas next time.
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​With a killer seafront view, wonderful hospitality, and a menu of fresh, beautifully prepared food, the new era of the Alum Beach Hut is an absolute triumph. Whether you’re locals or just visiting Bournemouth, don’t pass this one by.
​Highly recommended!

A Village Gem That Fills Up Fast

Bistrot Max ​has been on our culinary radar for quite some time, so we finally decided to make the trip to the picturesque village of Tutbury to check it out.
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​Arriving on a quiet Monday lunchtime, we figured booking ahead would be overkill. Stepping inside, the restaurant was nearly empty, save for one large table of six. However, when we asked the lovely staff for a table for two, we were told we could sit at any table that wasn't set.
​Looking around, we were a bit bewildered—nearly all the tables were fully set. Surely a sleepy village bistro hadn't booked out every single seat for a Monday lunch? A touch of confusion aside, we thankfully managed to track down an unset table and get comfortable.

​Outside, the chalkboard boasted a tempting Plat du Jour for a very reasonable £15, alongside an excellent standard lunch menu. However, our eyes immediately darted to their daily changing Fresh Market Fish Specials Board.
​We placed our order just in time, and it’s a good thing we did. As we sat enjoying our pre-lunch drinks, the quiet room suddenly exploded with activity.
Table after table filled up, and before our eyes, those coveted fish specials began getting wiped off the board. If you want the prime catches here, get your order in early!
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​We bypassed the standard menu to try two of the star seafood dishes of the day, followed by a sweet finish:

​Pan-Fried Po***ck Loin (£28): Served with prawns drowned in a rich garlic butter, crisp samphire, and perfectly cooked French fries. The po***ck was beautifully flaky, and the garlic butter tied the whole plate together wonderfully.
​Fresh Spicy Goan-Style Fish & Tiger Prawn Curry (£26): A vibrant, deeply aromatic curry packing just the right amount of punch, served alongside flawlessly baked basmati rice.
​To round off the meal, we shared Robin's Classic Tiramisu, which was rich, beautifully layered, and the perfect sweet note to end on. We paired it with a smooth Latte and a warming Liqueur Coffee to linger over.
​The cooking here is nothing short of exceptional.
It's clear that the kitchen treats fresh ingredients with the utmost respect.
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​The staff were incredibly attentive and welcoming.
Bistrot Max is an absolute village gem that delivers high-end, exceptionally executed dishes.
Just be warned: "quiet Mondays" don't stay quiet for long here. It is well worth the trip out to Tutbury—just maybe book ahead to ensure you get a seat!
📍Unit 8-9 Tutbury Mill Mews, Lower High Street, Tutbury, Burton-upon-Trent, DE13 9LU