The Wollaton - a brunch date with our favourite Nothern pair

We needed somewhere to pop to for spot to eat with our old housemates pre Cheese and Wine party, nothing too heavy but we were all pretty hungry (no surprise there!). 

I've been to the Wollaton a number of times for lunch and once for dinner, it's always excellent food, sometimes can be a little disappointing when there's no tables in the restaurant as you have to eat in the more 'pubby' area and order food up at the bar etc. The menu, however, is still the same wherever you sit though and as I said really very nice pub food. 

We popped down in the car and realised on Saturdays they serve a Brunch menu 12-4 which surely was going to be exactly what we were after. 

On perusing the menu the food, whilst sounding delicious, was slightly more than we were bargaining for, but we ordered what we fancied and chilled out in the pub area catching up on each others news and reminiscing about the old times

I had smoked salmon with scrambled eggs (the pub were really helpful with regards to being gluten free, there just wasn't many options I could have) without the toast!

H had a BBQ burger, this was a surprising addition to a brunch menu but my goodness me it was one of the most tasty things I've tried in a long time.

 

N had a sausage sandwich, and P a fish finger sandwich, served on really fluffy looking white bread, with a little side of parsnip soup.  

I'd love to try the brunch menu again when I had a slightly bigger appetite and having made a booking so we could lounge in the luxury of the restaurant area but overall I can't really fault the Wollaton for an excellent girly lunch. 

We bought the girls a 'Nottingham Cookbook' each. You can buy them in the Wollaton, in Delilahs, Homemade and many others. It makes such a cool Christmas present and has recipes from all the best places to eat in town including many places featured on Two Teas. I couldn't recommend it more 

The Girls team Christmas dinner

This Christmas we tried to have another group Christmas meal out instead of going to the official university ball, we managed it last year, a group trip to Browns. This year we fancied something different. 

When having a look at the festive menus' there was a good deal at Brown's again - 2 courses for 18 pounds. There was a deal at Le Mistral, slightly more expensive but definitely a top favourite of mine, 2 courses for £23.50 and then there was Petit Paris at a similar price of 2 courses for £23.95. Obviously all these had a festive element to their menus and all were incredibly tempting. 

Bistrot Pierre was offering 2 courses for £16.50 if you could dine before 1830. Everyone felt this was going to be the yummiest and cheapest option after we'd factored in a few glasses of wine. I secured the booking, it required a £10 deposit per person, probably due to it being the festive period, we pre ordered our food and the dinner was planned and ready. We had however not anticipated that managing to coordinate 22 people who are placed all around Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire  was always going to be a little tricky. 

It all came together on the night, everyone made it in time to eat their food and we all had a fantastic time. 

The Christmas decorations around the restaurant were so lovely 

We all got crackers!

The food was delicious

I had a smoked salmon salad to start

And wild mullet with MUSSELS for my main!

This was Lucy's duck pate. 

There were some dauphinoise potatoes knocking around that were absolutely delightful!

The puddings were also incredible, the mixture we had on the table was this Chocolate torte with blackberry ice cream, a sticky toffee pudding (below) and a frangipane tart.

The atmosphere in the restaurant was lovely, really rustic and very warm and inviting, I would definitely like to visit again with not such a massive table and outside of this busy period but it was so nice to get all my closest friends together in one room with fantastic food. 

Thanks Bistrot Pierre!

ps. We nipped to Coco Tang for cocktails afterwards, their xmas decs are pretty snazzy too :)

200 Degrees of fantastic coffee!

I visited my housemate A's new favourite revision hangout this weekend. 200 Degrees, a cafe just off market square

She was comfortably sat on a big table in the middle of the cafe, so it didn't turn out to be too much hide and seek. Workstation up and running she had treated herself to a fentimans ginger beer. 

I followed my nose, wandering towards the smell of freshly ground coffee. I ordered myself an Americano with milk and was handed a table number. What a great idea! I'm a Starbucks lover but there's nothing more frustrating than standing waiting for your (usually incorrect) name to be called out amongst a sea of equally as frustrated customers.

Sure enough I was served, at my table, a delightful looking Americano with milk in a cute little can! 

I only wished I'd taken some photos of the cakes for you. They really looked spectacular. I'm not sure of the gluten free options as it wasn't too clear but next time I will definitely ask and update on this!

It's quite a noisy place at lunchtime but if you enjoy the hubbub definitely give it a try. The coffee is delicious and service is great! Think I've found myself a new place to add to the list 

'That Japanese restaurant on Lenton Boulevard'

Last Friday was date Friday. I was taken on a surprise trip to 'That place on Lenton Boulevard' (Lenton, Notts, NG7). It's called Higoi, it's Japanese, they serve mainly sushi and sashimi and my goodness it is to die for.

On slightly untraditional form we ordered a bottle of Pinot. I should've been brave and tried the Sake, maybe next time, it was a really great wine actually. Maybe surprising for a very traditional Japanese restaurant .

I have read tons of fantastic reviews from people all around the country about Higoi. I urge you to have a read for yourself

I'd been before but was excited to introduce Mr M to the world of 'real sushi' 

We ordered a sushi main course to share and a sashimi main course to share. We were treated with a mango jelly appetiser before the sashimi arrived in this magnificent boat 

As it was date night I decided not to take too many pictures, but I can assure you the fish was so fresh, all of it absolutely delicious topped with different caviars and garnished with a variety of salad. 

Here's the sushi. Equally as amazing. I wish I could tell you what each one was but I was enjoying myself far too much! 

Definitely give Higoi a go. It's a little pricey, but worth every penny. I'm a fan of sushi in any form. Yo!, in a packet from m+s, a botched job by myself. But this place really is miles above the rest. 

Have yourself a sushi Friday too!