Tom has been away delivering training in Margate all week so I thought I’d plan a little surprise evening for him on his return yesterday. Last week we took out membership at the spa at Christchurch Harbour Hotel which is a few minutes from us (and from where we work). It’s a bit more than we’d usually spend on pool and gym membership but it has a hydrotherapy pool, sauna, steam room and ‘salt grotto’ (whatever that is!) and I think it will be perfect for us to go there and unwind after a long day at work. Yesterday was the first day we could use it so we went there after I finished work, did a little bit in the gym and then sat in the ‘hydrotherapy pool’ (like a big jacuzzi with lights and jets!), steam room and splashed around in the pool. It was a lovely way to start the weekend.
Tom knew I’d made reservations for dinner but didn’t know where so I quietly phoned a taxi when we got home and we both got dressed up for dinner. The taxi came early so I didn’t have time to take a photo of my outfit (#bloggerproblems).
The restaurant I’d picked was the Kings Arms in Christchurch, which is a lovely old Georgian hotel with a highly recommended restaurant that’s famous for its highly regarded chef (Alex Aitken) and its propensity to use predominantly locally sourced ingredients. One of their specialities is their 15-mile-menu which is three courses all sourced from within 15 miles of the restaurant, all for £15. I picked it for their Fizz and Chips menu they do on a Friday night; basically a slightly posher version of Friday night fish and chips, all served with a glass of Prosecco (on the menu were options like sea bream, scampi, mussels, hake and lemon sole).
We started with their ‘nibbles’ platter – breads, houmous, peppers, olives, peanuts and wasabi peas.
A mini picture of my outfit (and my face!) – I’m wearing a peplum from Vero Moda.
The only photo I took of the restaurant as we had lots of people around us who might not have wanted to be in the picture!
For our main course Tom had mussels in a cider and bacon sauce with a little jug of chips, and I had scampi and chips.
I wanted to order dessert but my eyes definitely would have been bigger than my belly! I will definitely have to go back again and not have a starter so I can have the Peanut Butter Parfait with peanut brittle! We are going back there for their Valentine’s Dinner which sounds equally mouthwatering; cheese soufflés, sirloin steaks to share and a trio of desserts! Will definitely have to wear a loose fitting top!
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