Yesterday afternoon I went on a date. We were supposed to meet at 3pm at the Castle (I’ve never been even though I’ve lived here for nearly 5 years) but when we got there we weren’t allowed in. So we headed for a couple of drinks at the Crafty Crow, before heading to Fothergills for some food.

I love this place, the location is great. It’s a fantastic place to sit and have a drink in the summer on their outdoor seating, with Robin Hood watching over you. I’ve eaten here a few times with friends and it’s always been pleasant. I remember ordering the Pâté last time and they were ever so lovely when I requested more bread, which is a massive thumbs up from me.

So anyway, myself and the date, (let’s call him Mr fix-it, as that’s what he does for a job) took a seat in the dining room, by the emergency exit. It was a freezing night and the room was fairly warm thankfully.

Mr Fix-it was very interesting to talk to, we share the same music taste and both love to travel which is always a bonus. We spent almost 4 hours together and conversation didn’t stall once.

I had completely forgotten that it was a Sunday, so the choice was really a Sunday roast. They had run out of beef (but you could add on a steak for 3 pound surcharge) and offered Pork, Lamb, Chicken or Beetroot & Almond nut roast.

I went for the beetroot and almond nut roast as none of the meaty options tempted me. When the plate arrived it was piled high. Along with our choice of meat/nut roast, there was braised red cabbage, roast potatoes, a huge home-made Yorkshire pudding, one lonely stuffing ball, an assortment of green veg (broccoli, beans, cabbage and what I think was cress) and the most delicious thick gravy. I really enjoyed the nut roast. It’s the first time I’ve had it but it won’t be the last. I loved the stuffing, but would have loved a couple more balls as they were tiny. The gravy was amazing, the green veg gave colour to my plate. I wasn’t keen on the red cabbage, and in all honesty I wasn’t keen on the roast potatoes. I love my roast potatoes to be really crisp on the outside, but as the food came out within 20 minutes I would assume that they have been kept warm from earlier in the day. That’s really my only criticism of the roast dinner. If the potatoes had been crisp I’d have been over the moon.

Mr F really enjoyed his dinner, the lamb was succulent and tasted as though it was straight out of the oven. He finished his dinner in a timely manner, which is great – I like a guy to enjoy food as much as I do.

All in all this was a lovely date. Mr F also paid for dinner which was very unexpected and lovely, and even shared a taxi with me to ensure I got home safely. I’m looking forward to date 2 later on this week