Crap Weather for November

[Marco]

No worries, mate. I could give you some really good reccos

Anyway, had a really lovely lunch with my dad. It's been a while since we've eaten at The West Arms, and the food is now better than ever (new chef). Unfortunately I didn't have Del's smartphone with me, so couldn't take any pics...

However, we both started with homemade leek and potato soup, which came with their own homemade herb bread, and also butter! The butter had bits of rock salt in, and was arguably the best I've ever tasted!

Then we both had the same main course of breast of local pheasant (we passed a few on the road there) wrapped in pancetta, with a cider/cream sauce, served with savoy cabbage and dauphinoise potatoes. It was superb, and washed down with a pint of T-Wrex ale, from a brewery in Wrexham that until now I didn't even know existed! See here: http://www.bighandbrewing.co.uk/



Gorgeous stuff, so smooth and creamy with a nice zesty finish... Only 4% A.B.V too, so not too heavy for lunchtime. I'll have to check out some more of their beers. Highly recommended if you ever see it in shops!

Marco.

[rmcin626]

No worries, mate. I could give you some really good reccos

Anyway, had a really lovely lunch with my dad. It's been a while since we've eaten at The West Arms, and the food is now better than ever (new chef). Unfortunately I didn't have Del's smartphone with me, so couldn't take any pics...

However, we both started with homemade leek and potato soup, which came with their own homemade herb bread, and also butter! The butter had bits of rock salt in, and was arguably the best I've ever tasted!

Then we both had the same main course of breast of local pheasant (we passed a few on the road there) wrapped in pancetta, with a cider/cream sauce, served with savoy cabbage and dauphinoise potatoes. It was superb, and washed down with a pint of T-Wrex ale, from a brewery in Wrexham that until now I didn't even know existed! See here: http://www.bighandbrewing.co.uk/



Gorgeous stuff, so smooth and creamy with a nice zesty finish... Only 4%A.B.V too, so not too heavy for lunchtime. I'll have to check out some more of their beers. Highly recommended if you ever see it in shops!

Marco.

Like the sound of that lunch Marco, although I would be having wine not beer.

[Marco]

Lol - I get enough (much better wine) at home, mate, and far cheaper, but don't have access to lovely real-ales on draught

I know you're a lager man, though, but you can see my logic. Essentially, I object to the mark-ups on wine in UK pubs and restaurants, with 'large' glasses of decent wine (stuff that I'd actually drink) frequently costing £7-8, and of course because it's served in a 'posh' wine glass, it's only ever half-full!

For £8, I could buy a superb WHOLE BOTTLE of wine, which I can enjoy in the comfort of my own home, without worrying about driving... And full bottles of wine, which are often no more than of average quality, in good pubs and restaurants, are usually around the £18 mark, or much more, which for me goes against the grain, as it doesn't offer value for money.

Quality draught beer, especially stuff brewed locally in the town I live in, has an altogether different appeal, and isn't stupidly priced. See where I'm coming from?

Marco.

[rmcin626]

Understand where your coming from on the quality and price of wine by the glass, and if we were going for lunch I would probably be driving and therefore not drinking, although that place has rooms so maybe an overnight stay would be on the cards.

[Marco]

As you know, I only ever have one pint of beer, or share a bottle of wine with Del, and always accompanied by food, which (measurably) always keeps me well under the limit. Yes, I know there isn't one in Scotland.

For me, there's no point going to a lovely country pub, if you can't have a drink, and the place I was today is only 45 mins from my door, so staying over isn't necessary!

Totally different for you though, and I can recommend their rooms, as I've seen them. Most have lovely views and are full of original features. Friends have stayed at the hotel before. It's a fab place, and there's loads to do in the local area, if you're on holiday

Marco.

[struth]

One bonus of not drinking now is no issues with driving

[Marco]

And NO FUN!



Marco.

[rmcin626]

As you know, I only ever have one pint of beer, or share a bottle of wine with Del, and always accompanied by food, which (measurably) always keeps me well under the limit. Yes, I know there isn't one in Scotland.

For me, there's no point going to a lovely country pub, if you can't have a drink, and the place I was today is only 45 mins from my door, so staying over isn't necessary!

Totally different for you though, and I can recommend their rooms, as I've seen them. Most have lovely views and are full of original features. Friends have stayed at the hotel before. It's a fab place, and there's loads to do in the local area, if you're on holiday

Marco.

All noted

[struth]

And NO FUN!



Marco.

I always thought that too, but it doesn't bother me now.
Now and then I get the urge lol but resist in case I get a taste for it again.
No, tbh I don't miss it.

[walpurgis]

I like a large scotch to steady the nerves before a long journey.