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 :)

Date night with the wife and the Mr

 I can't believe I've never written about this place before. After a long ago valentines date, a house meal out, a birthday date with the Mr and a girlie night out with P, I'm finally sitting down to write about the place where I ate the best meal of my life!

It sounds like a gross exaggeration. But when I think about it. I don't think I've had so many different tastes, textures and flavours in one meal that worked oh so well together 

The incredible underground haven is 'Iberico World Tapas' having its pride of place underneath the crime and punishment museum in lace market. This place is far from a punishment but could definitely be likened to a crime. 

The idea is they've taken the normal Spanish tapas restaurant and added some foods of the world. Food from England, food inspired by the Far East, American style chicken wings and green inspired lamb. 

You're in the basement, in a small alcove. A delicious wine menu is offered and a little advise with regards to the menu. Definitely ask for some help as they just want you to enjoy all it has to offer

The recommendation is that you have a ham platter and a cheese platter. Either the 'world ham or the Spanish ham' likewise with the cheese. I've tried both. They're both fantastic. 

Then it's choosing from the huge variety of dishes. The 'inside out chicken wings' are a must. The beef kebabs also a fantastic recommendation. Most recently I indulged in the mussels and I'd say if you're a fan of mussels give them a try. You'll never want plain mussels again! 

We tried the mushroom carpaccio. Served in a cool wooden platter 

Here are the infamous chicken wings 

When I went with P we tried the express dinner menu. It's just 14.95 and you get Catalan bread (like bruschetta - I had olives) two tapas dishes and a pudding

The pudding was definitely worth it even if we were a little full. I had a strawberry parfait 

P had a cotton cake! Exciting !  She said it was incredibly smooth 

The 'Express menu' really is fantastic value for money, with the bread as a starter and the two tapas dishes with pudding, you get world class food for such a bargain. Definitely give it a go, or wait for a special occasion and the whole menu can be your oyster :) 

Friday is Cocktail Day

After a Friday night of cocktails I realised we've developed accumulated quite a list of our favourite cocktail bars. 

Last Friday we visited a new favourite - Tilt 

Last Night was Pepper Rocks 

Another great place for a drink, if a little pricey, Saltwater at Cornerhouse

An old favourite, not an independent bar, drinks very sweet and mostly rum based, nevertheless a fab place for a fun evening; Turtle Bay

The Living Room, a great place for a quiet drink or a romantic evening, a nice one to take the parents too also.

A few other places worth a visit:

• Brass Monkey (student prices most evenings)
• Pitcher and Piano (gorgeous decor and nice food too)
• Dino in Hockley 
• Browns 
• Belle and Jerome (Beeston)
• Boiler Maker (such an exciting experience, will write about this soon)
• Coco Tang (more of a night out but a fab cocktail selection)
• Bad JuJu Tiki Bar (closed for refurbishment at the moment)

Will add more soon!

An oldie but a goodie..

3 Years ago 3 single friends and I were looking for a place to 'drown our sorrows' / probably have a nicer time than we usually would, on Valentines day. It seems like Valentines day is an excuse for restaurants and cafe's alike to hike up the prices to try and ensnare unsuspecting boyfriends/fiances/husbands who are all in a panic having left it too late and there's nothing left at their usual haunts.  

This meant our search spread further than the usual places we'd visit in town. We came across Fothergills, we'd never heard of it, and subsequently i've found out there aren't many people who have. But we booked ourselves in for the 3 course Valentines menu and had a truly lovely time. 

I've since been back a few times, once with the same girls for an impromptu dinner and once with my Dad for a more laid back lunch. 

Pork Belly, the girls said it was fantastic, I'm not a one for crackling but it doesn't look 'alf bad!

Dressed Crab Salad, the crab was fantastic, left me feeling a lot fuller than I expected, never a bad thing!

The strange thing I found about Fothergills is how different the atmosphere can be each time you visit. On going with my Dad it felt extremely laid back, there was a very 'pub-esq' feel to lunch which although was nice and appropriate for the occasion I think had I been going for a slightly nicer lunch out with family it may have been a bit disappointing. 

It's very quiet during the day though, and by quiet I don't mean empty, it's just quite a nice place to chat with not too much noise or hustle and bustle that you do sometimes get in another favourite of mine 'Brown's'. Perfect for my hard of hearing Dad it has to be said!

I can't remember the exact name of this dish, it looks like a 'Hunter's Chicken' the mushy peas a really nice touch

Here he is having his Chicken and Ham Hock pie. No complains from Dad camp 

I really love the exposed brick in the background here

 Tackling dessert of course!

Warm Chocolate Brownie for Dad

Quite a lot of attention to detail with the snazzy sugar structures

And ice cream for me. I think this particular day they had some fabulous flavours so I couldn't really say no. 

It has to be said, for a change of scenery Fothergills is somewhere you should try. It is a really nice place to go for Valentines day (cheeky reminder to the boys!) but sometimes feels a little less 'smart' than you expect during the day. 

Valentines evening table

It's in a really nice part of town, with really lovely architecture; right opposite the Robin Hood statue in the shadow of the castle and is very welcoming to those just looking for a pint or a cup of coffee.

At the moment they're doing a 2 course lunch for £10.90, it'd be a shame to miss out!