PREZZO: Crab cakes, mushrooms and gorgonzola chicken

I have always been a big fan of going out for meals. I would much rather go out to a nice pub or restaurant for supper than on a night out drinking. Now I am pregnant I am avoiding alcohol all together, I know the doctors say you can have alcohol is small amounts, but I am not drinking at all during my pregnancy, that's just my personal choice. 

I went to Prezzo recently with my husband for lunch. I love Prezzo, it is a chain restaurant which does pasta, pizza and grill dishes. I never pay full price in Prezzo, I will always get a voucher for money off the meal.

Usually we both have the mozzarella in carrozza to start with. This is a wedge of deep fried mozzarella cheese in breadcrumbs served with pomodoro sauce. Unfortunately on this visit they had run out, which I thought was a bit odd seeing as we went for lunch at 1pm.

Anyway in the end I ended by choosing the baked mushrooms to start with while Luke had the crab cakes which came with garlic mayo.

My baked mushrooms were stuffed with grana pandano and mozzarella cheese, garlic, onions and breadcrumbs. This was served with a little side salad and garlic mayo. It was delicious and just the right amount for a starter. 

I had a try of Luke's crab cakes which were delicious, the crab meat was chunky. I hate it when places do crab cakes which are smooth, almost like a paste, yuck. These were lovely and just the right size for a starter. 

For main Luke had penne al pollo zafferano which is penne pasta with chicken, red chilli, baby spinach and garlic with a saffron sauce. The saffron is what gives the pasta that rich red creamy colour. Luke always covers his pasta in grated cheese.

I had grilled chicken with gorgonzola which had field mushrooms and leeks in a rich creamy white sauce. You also get a choice of sides, I always go for skinny house fries.

The chicken was butterflied which I really like and the sauce was perfect, not too heavy. I much prefer creamy sauces to tomato based ones. 

By that point we were both so full so couldn't manage pudding although I was eyeing up the chocolate fudge cake. 

Do you have a Prezzo where you live? If so, what do you think?

One Year Wedding Anniversary supper

My husband and I celebrated our one year wedding anniversary on April, 13. I was working that weekend but managed to have a quick bite to eat at restaurant in North Devon called Pig on the Hill. 

 To start with I had Posh Prawn Cocktail - it looked wonderful on the plate and tasted beautiful. There was a crispy king prawn which was covered in a coat of lemonade batter, the salad had Cornish crab meat inside.

Luke had a pate and breaded soldiers - I just love the presentation of the food. We also had a side of home made dough balls.

Then for mains we both had The Pig Burger which consisted of a slow cooked shin of beef, mascapone, Devonshire blue cheese, braised red onion, pancetta and twice cooked chips as well as aioli.

The burger was stunning, tender and tasty, the only item I wasn't keen on was the braised red onion.

I was convinced I could manage room for a pudding too, but by the end of dinner I was so full I couldn't manage another bite. 

All the ingredients in the dishes were made from locally sourced produce, something which I am a huge fan of. 

I have to say eating out is one of my fav hobbies, nothing beats it, especially during a weekend when you don't have to worry about work. You can sit back, relax and just enjoy good company and good food.