Moaning all ...

Thanks Den I'm fine, had a lovely evening Saturday and finished the night at home with a couple of glass's of Port

We spent a wonderful evening at the Tollemache Arms, warmly welcomed by the staff we toasted ourselves by an open log fire whilst waiting to be shown to our reserved table.
The Restaurant had an ‘Oldie World’ atmosphere with the hint of wood smoke from the open fire permeating the air.
I ordered drinks, beer for the men and a Rose’ wine and Orange juice for the ladies. The beer ‘Oggy’ had a very hoppy bitter nutty taste, very smooth and no gas, very enjoyable, later in the evening we followed this with another beer, ‘Nobby’, this again was a good rounded beer but rather sweet, I preferred the first beer.
For starters the men had spicy ginger crab cakes on a bed of stir fried vegetables, this was disappointingly bland, the cakes tasting only of floury potato. The ladies however, ordered Brixworth pate’ with black pudding, rocket leaves, wholemeal toast and shallot jam. They both agreed the pate’ and black pudding worked well together!
For the main course I had Black Bream on a bed of sugarsnap peas, with new potatoes coated in a light butter melt.
Rarely have I tasted such a fine fish, this was an excellent meal and I commend the Chef, well done!
(Information for the squeamish, the fish is presented with head and tail intact and with bones)
Natalie chose a Pork meal, this consisted of Pork belly, pork loin and pork shoulder croquette, roast apple mash and honey roast parsnip. A very enjoyable meal, the roast apple mash deserving a special mention.
Jamie and Shelia shared a Chateaubriand with roasted vine tomatoes, shallots and mushrooms, sautéed new potatoes celeriac and Swede and a rich Madeira sauce. The sauce sadly was very watery and spoilt what could have been an excellent meal; the steak was superbly cooked as were the vegetables, a very filling meal.
After a short break, we ordered a sweet, Natalie had a Mocha pudding with a light sauce which she felt was a little plain and bland, I went for the Port and cranberry cheese cake with pistachio ice cream, hmm, what can I say? Without doubt a great choice, the cheese cake was thick and creamy tasting almost of a combination of mascarpone and goats cheese with cranberries and a good strong biscuit base whilst the ice cream refreshed the pallet and left the mouth feeling clean.
Coffee was served, I like my coffee strong and black, this was like dish water! Very disappointing
Overall an excellent meal in pleasant surroundings with helpful cheerful staff. Highly recommended
Meals are not cheap (Chateaubriand for two will set you back £45.00, average meal £25.00) but well worth the price you pay, drinks on the other hand, are expensive, a good red will set you back £65 for a bottle whilst the cheaper ones range from £4.95 to £7.95, Rose’ £5.00 to £5.75 White wine £4.95 to £6.25 a 250ml glass.
A great night in good company

Old Sage

Ahh, the good old Shetland pony!

Good moaning all .....

The site seems to be having a few glitches, pages jumping?

Old Sage

That should allow you to go out for a good meal to celebrate.

Great result Alan.....
I Put 3 grand into premium Bonds at about the same time
and whilst I have not hit the jackpot I have had several £25.00 wins totaling £150.00. nothing in the past few months tho....
The missus mocked me at the time,
She said I should have got Peps/Isas/whatever,
And as I'm still waiting for the big one she may well have been correct.
I dont do the lottery and certainly wouldn't when it goes up to two quid . The only lottery I do is to support the local air ambulance .
and of course the grand National sweep-stake..

Ps addition sunshine all day but snow capped lake-land hills visible across the bay great views I get each day