Sunset cocktail in Devon

My husband and I celebrated our 2nd wedding anniversary on April 13. My mum offered to baby sit Joshua for us so we could go out for a meal. Joshua was born on April 2 and I felt so guilty for leaving him to have supper out but it was only for a couple of hours and he was in great hands. 

We went to a restaurant in North Devon called The Blue and Green which specialises in woodfire pizza and surf and turf which is apt seeing as the restaurant over looks the sea. I kicked off the evening with a non-alcoholic cocktail which was a delicious blend of fruit and fizz. 

To start with we both went for the individually baked Camemberts which were served with ciabatta bread, caramelised onion and salad. The cheese was also spiked with cloves of garlic and rosemary. 

The starter went down a treat because throughout pregnancy I avoided cheeses, including brie and camembert, which were mould-ripened. Isn't funny when you know you can't/shouldn't have a particular food you crave it more. 

For mains Luke had a calzone and I had a sirloin steak with all the trimmings including onion rings, chips, salad, mushroom and creamy sauce, ah, heaven. 

Neither of us could stomach a pudding after the monster meal so we settled the bill and headed to the beach for a stroll. There was the most amazing sunset and there is something calming about breathing in the salty sea air. 

After the walk we decided there was room for pudding so we grabbed a locally made ice-cream on the way home....

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?