I've decided that I happen to be one of those lucky (or unlucky) people that tends to bump into celebrities. I know, I know, I work in film, but surprisingly I haven't met a huge amount of people since I started this particular role (other than my exciting encounter with Barrack Obama last week of course!). So I was wandering around Liverpool One yesterday, waiting to head into a meeting, and Claire Sweeney walks past! Anyone under the age of 25 (my age) will probably be thinking who on earth is that, but the rest of you are with me. How exciting (note.. Tone of sarcasm).
On Monday one of my meetings was cancelled, so before heading back to the hotel I popped into a cinema to catch a film of ours that I hadn't got round to seeing -if I stay. Chloe Grace Moretz was fantastic as usual, and I really enjoyed it! I felt a little bit of a loser, considering I was the only person in the cinema and was sat there with a few tears in my eyes, and made sure my make up looked normal for when I walked past the staff on my way out!
So it's a week of hotels (I'm up north - so needed to book a few nights away). As mentioned in my previous post, I stayed in Chester this week - due to a recommendation for a restaurant. Headed off to Hickory's Smokehouse in Chester, and I was blown away. The atmosphere was awesome, considering it was a Monday night it was rammed (1 hour wait for a table), but luckily you didn't have to wait for a table! They had a little bar type area which allowed people alone or in small groups to sit and eat around the area which they are preparing food. This is something I love as it shows complete confidence in what they are serving. On the bar, they had all of the sauces that you might need, along with kitchen rolls and wipes, which meant that when you needed anything you didn't have to bother the waiter - which meant much quicker service! The menu was extensive, and I struggled deciding what to have, and had convinced myself to just have a main until the waiter suggested a starter. So back to the beginning, you sit down and are presented with a (rather large) bag of popcorn, along with a bottle of water. It always makes me happy when I don't have to ask for tap water. I ordered nachos with pulled pork to start, and I must admit it was possibly the best pulled pork I've had in a restaurant - cooked perfectly with just the right amount of sauce. The only thing I would suggest is that there was slightly too much cheese, and if you are headed here with people you could most certainly share the nachos as a starter (I only ate about half). For main course I went for chicken fajitas. One thing I always find with fajitas is that they never give you enough wraps - but on this occasion it was the perfect amount. It came with the perfect sides (cheese, guacamole, salsa and sour cream, along with some lettuce) and the chicken was cooked to perfection. Quite spicy - I needed extra sour cream compared to the rest, but it was scrummy. I'm very glad I listened to the recommendation, and I must admit it was the first time I've felt 100% comfortable being alone in a restaurant, there was nobody looking at me and feeling sorry for me being on my own!
That evening, I stayed in the Abode hotel in Chester. The car park confused me, as the entrance was shut so I had to drive in the exit (and the lady driving out was getting quite cross with me driving the wrong way, despite the fact that the signs said so). I got into the hotel quite late, so was eager to get into bed. It was extremely comfortable, the lady on reception was very friendly and answered all of my questions. The hotel room was huge - it was like an apartment, with a lovely selection of snacks from the 'mini bar', bright and modern room with a clean and new looking bathroom. Overall I was impressed and would happily go back there. 
I didn't have breakfast in the hotel, I stopped off at a pret on the way in Cheshire Oaks (and naughtily bought myself a new dress from the Coast outlet for a Christening I'm going to on Sunday). You can't go wrong with a pret (they do the best hot chocolate of any of the chain coffee shops, no fuss, and the chocolate croissants are lush!)
Tuesday evening was the night I've been looking forward to - headed out for dinner and a cinema trip with my ex-colleague who is expecting in a few months. As recommended by a friend of hers, we headed to Orthello's in Blackpool, a little Greek restaurant that looks like it is family run. We arrived there 10 minutes before they were due to open, but the manager came to the door and let us in anyhow. For a starter we ordered some pitta bread with olives, feta and a little side salad - the feta was just what I was after. We both had 2 diet cokes, I went for a steak au poivre whilst she had a seafood platter. Considering how much food that is - the bill only came to £40! Bargain! My steak was cooked beautifully - medium - although I must admit there was a little too much (very peppery) peppercorn sauce (and those of you that know me well know how much I love my peppercorn sauce). It came with a side of either chips or rice - I went for chips - and they were just the way I like them, well cooked and extremely thick cut. The staff were very attentive, and friendly, and they did everything to ensure we had a lovely meal. 
We headed to the cinema to see Sex Tape, and both agreed not to get our hopes up as it looked so great from the trailers. Well for once - the trailers did not lie! Before going into the cinema we both got some ice cream. I was terribly excited because my local cinema has got rid of Ben and Jerry's - but they had it here. I had smore's which is my favourite, the caramel cuts through the chocolate in such a great way, along with phish food (my old faithful), some chocolate sauce and hazelnuts (very indulgent, and it was so worth it). Although I must admit the lady overfilled it hugely and I would much preferred less ice cream so I didn't make so much of a mess! Sex tape was one of the funniest films I have seen in a long time, I spent most of the film laughing out loud and that is not something I do often. Cameron Diaz is beautiful as always - she looks incredible I hope I look that way at her age... And Jason Segal whilst being one of my favorite actors anyway, has lost so much weight for this film he has become quite a catch. (Although if I was going to spend that much time naked with Cameron Diaz I would also make sure my body is in tip top shape. I only say this when I really mean it but I can't wait for it to come out on DVD!
I'm currently sat on a train to London for meetings today, having stayed at the Hotel Indigo in Liverpool (gutted - the hilton was fully booked). They have a lot to prove as I always stay in the Hilton, so I will be reviewing it after I have completed my stay.
Have a good day,
Paigey x
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