Fine Weather and the Swan

When the sun shines and the weather is fine, us Brits can't help but pay our local pubs a visit to soak up the sun in beer gardens. Today was no different. As we had family over it seemed only polite to pay one of our locals a visit for a pint and a spot of lunch. T

The Swan with Two Nicks is perfectly situated right next to Dunham Massey, a National Trust owned park, where we would be able to walk off our lunch after. This pub has lots of traditionally brewed beers and even has on tap the local Dunham Beer. It has a lovely atmosphere and is especially cosy during the winter months. They have a restaurant menu and a bar menu so if you would like a proper sit down meal this option is available. We sat in the bar area where we had Brie and Cranberry Sandwich and Celery Soup with a crusty bread role.

It can be found here and here for reservations.

                                      

          

After our lunch we wondered over to Dunham Massey to have a walk in it grounds and gardens. It's a beautiful place with lots going on and plenty to see all year round. 

Different parts of the park may be closed depending on the time of year and where they are keeping the deer.  It's usually the far end furthest away from the house and around December that you will not be able to enter.

The house garden is truly beauitful with it's footpath meandering around through lawns, flower beds and wooded areas.If you have time to go into the house and the garden then it's well worth paying to go in. In the house the kitchens and scullery are probably the most interesting, though the state rooms are fantastic as well. 

Do you know of any great Stately Homes to visit this summer?

Sugar Fix

This week it's safe to safe I've been a bit AWOL! This has been due to it being the end of the year at uni and lots of loose ends needed tying but before I could relax and finally breathe a sign of relief. So until September I am free of the heavy burden of uni work, though of course I still have work to go to but at least I’m not juggling the two!

New Look Tropical Top
Ark Cardigan
Mulberry Key Necklace

 To celebrate my new found freedom I and my friends went out for a spot of lunch on Thursday. For ages I've been harping onto them about a little tea room in the Northern Quarter of Manchester that I just loved, loved, loved! I've mentioned it on my blog before, it's called Sugar Junction and it is a little retro 1950s tea room. Going there is like stepping back in time in the most amazing and exciting way.

As we were walking up my friends were saying they had butterflies for going to a new place as I had bigged up this place so much! Their expectations were high and it's safe to say it delivered. It's safe to say they were impressed by this little gem and when presented with the menu they were unable to decide what to order as everything sounds so beautiful.

Jane and I shared a pot of afternoon tea with proper loose tea leaves and Jenny had a classic chocolate Milkshake to drink. 

To eat the girls both had classic Mac 'n' Cheese and I had poached egg and smoked salmon on a muffin with hollandaise sauce. 

 It was wonderful and so delicious! when we finished they brought the cake board for dessert but we were so stuff this time we had to pass but we vow to go back and make it to cake next time!

Taken off Sugar Junctions Facebook

Next place for lunch on my agenda is Home Sweet Home; apparently they are just as good with a Mexican twist! I think I may go with my boyfriend there as pretty flower plates and tea cups aren't really his thing at Sugar Junction!

Has Anyone Been to either of these places or similar and What was your experience like?

I'm always looking to for places to eat so any recommendations?!

The Blue Bicycle

This week for a little treat we went for dinner at a gorgeous little restaurant in York called The Blue Bicycle. Hidden among the cities meandering cobbled streets and tucked next to the canal, this wonderful restaurant produces some of the tastiest fish dishes and fantastic homemade desserts! The atmosphere is relaxing and homely, we were lucky enough to get a seat by the window so we could look out on to the street and watch the passers by as they hurried off to their evenings reservations and appointments. It's understandable how this place is so highly renowned and has won award for it's dishes. It has to be one of York's eateries that offers an enchanting dining experience!

The staff at this restaurant are the politest and most accommodating to all of our needs, they were kind enough to let us know which dishes they recommended and what their specialties were. Off the menu i chose to start with the Onion and Garlic soup, i love onion soup as it is has to be my all time winter warmer food! when the soup arrived it was lovely and rich with a smooth texture. i was expecting more like a broth with what you get with French Onion soup but this was different and closer to a Gratinee Normande, truly beautiful. Accompanied with the soup were the cutest terracotta plant pots with a sour dough bread in, it accompanied it so well and if you couldn't wait for your soup to arrive filled a spot for the time being!

For the next course i had chosen a crab risotto topped with pan seared sea bass. The sea bass was gorgeous! It was flaky and just melted in you mouth, the risotto complimented it well and wasn't too rich, it was perfect! i love crab as it is but i would eat this all the time if i was able to! If this is on the menu when you go i would highly recommend giving ago along with the mixed fish platter which my sister had. 

When we thought we couldn't possibly eat anything else the staff presented us with the desert menu, the homemade deserts are so ridiculously temping but on this occasion instead of opting for a heavy chocolate or creamy desert i had the brandy snap basket with fresh fruit. It was the perfect way to finish off our meal!

This restaurant is incredibly popular and i recommend booking! When we were there several off the street people came in but were turned away so avoid disappointment it's best to book.

Dress: Topshop

Shoes: Dorothy Perkins

Belt: Oasis

Necklace: River Island 

I'm so glad that's it now the weekend after a busy week, though my weekend is a little hectic with a christening celebrations! Hoping the weather will hold out as i believe we are having a hog roast outside!

What are other people doing this weekend?