So.. I have some treats in store for you today - a bit of everything, from hotels to home baking... And while we're on the subject I was incredibly disappointed with the result of bake-off - I backed Richard all the way!
Last week I stayed in the Village Urban Resort in Elstree, it was fantastic. I loved the way they had everything in one place, gym (the biggest I've ever seen), two restaurants and a hotel. The staff were lovely, and remembered me from the night before at breakfast. My only problem was the lighting in the bedrooms, I can't stand it when hotels use mood lighting as you can't do your make-up easily, and the rooms here were particularly dark. I imagine in the summer with the big glass windows it would be perfect, but any other time of year, aka now, it just doesn't work.
I checked into the hotel quite late on Tuesday, and decided to eat there. I looked at the menus, and decided to go for an Italian (it was that or pub food). Perfect choice, I sat down with a book and a glass of wine and relaxed. I had a chicken Milanese (breaded chicken with a tomato sauce, pesto, pancetta and mozarella.) It was lovely and light, and I had it with a side of potatos, which were perfectly crispy. The atmosphere was perfect for me, quiet and chilled with not too many people about.
In the morning I went down for breakfast, and decided to fill up on cooked breakfast. The sausages were cheap, but the hash browns were cooked to perfection, and it kick started the day nicely. 
That evening I went to meet a friend for dinner in Smiths in Bourne, Linconshire. It was incredibly busy, clearly a popular spot for the locals. There was a lovely little bar as you walked in, followed by a variety of quirky little rooms. We sat in the front, at a booth, and both ended up eating the same meal! It was quite noisy, popular with beer drinkers, and I'm not sure I'd revisit but the food was good. There were a few flys about which concerned me, but I think that's because we were sat by the door. I had an open chicken ciabatta with chips and onion rings. The chips weren't what I'd like to see in a pub-type restaurant, they were skinny like McDonalds (I like a good thick potato in the pub) and the onion rings were pretty greasy, but the chicken ciabatta was delicious. 
One thing I always wonder in restaurants - why are they so apprehensive to give you mayonnaise?! They automatically put all other sauces out, but you have to ask for Mayo and they give you the smallest pot in the world!
I have had a bit of a week of baking this week. We've been watching Jamie's comfort food, and I decided to attempt his shepherds pie (except mine was cottage as I used beef). D told me we are never to use mince again because it was amazing (we used chunks of beef), and the crispy potato base that Jamie Oliver suggested, by lining the oven dish with potato as well as putting it on top, was potentially one of my favorite ideas ever. 
Lemon drizzle cake is my absolute favorite, so this week I decided to attempt it for the first time. I went and bought a huge cake tin, so we could share it about, and collected some fresh eggs from the farm. I used the bbc good food recipe - simple yet effective. It was easy to make and turned out well, I was pretty proud. It was a bit dense in the middle, so in hindsight next time I would probably use a smaller tin, but the outside was moist and light. I'm rather glad there was a lot to eat! 
I was ever so excited yesterday when I got my first ever request on Twitter - from Choc O'Clock - for them to send me some chocolate to sample and blog about. This is possibly one of the most exciting things that's ever happened! So I will try them and that will be the first of my one-product only blogs.
Look forward to sharing it with you.
Paigey x
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