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
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.
