I for one love food far too much to be smaller than a size 10, or weigh any less than 9 stone. I would love to be a bit slimmer and a bit more toned, but the sad reality is that going out for dinner and trying wonderful new foods (as well as gorging over old faithfuls) is pretty much my favourite thing to do. Yes, I should be able to do this and do it sensibly. But I am too lazy for hardcore exercise. Sticky toffee pudding tastes better than skinny will EVER feel. True story. For goodness sake, I have biscuits tattooed on my arm! I would be a sad excuse for a motivational speaker. I think I have a problem, if I'm being totally honest, especially when it comes to sweet things. I had been on my best behavior until 1am the other night, I was feeling a bit down (pathetic really, can't even blame it on my time of the month) and so I tucked into some Peeps that Jess sent me from america. Well, that chocolate covered squidgy bird shaped blob of marshmallow wonderfulness made me feel 500% better. Yes, you just read that, 500%! Now why would I give up on something that made me feel so happy inside? See. Madness.
Going back to my love of food, when I was invited to the Blythswood Square Hotel for an afternoon cocktail and a spot of lunch from their Market Menu, I would hardly say no! Being the numpty that I am, the online listing for the Market Menu has changed since I went. So I won't be able to provide you with the fancy names of each course. I will just be able to tell you how yummy they were. Drooling again at the thought, brb while I grab a packet of wotsits!
Going back to my love of food, when I was invited to the Blythswood Square Hotel for an afternoon cocktail and a spot of lunch from their Market Menu, I would hardly say no! Being the numpty that I am, the online listing for the Market Menu has changed since I went. So I won't be able to provide you with the fancy names of each course. I will just be able to tell you how yummy they were. Drooling again at the thought, brb while I grab a packet of wotsits!
I have visited the Blythswood before for the Scottish Ballet Alice in Wonderland blogger event, filmed a short film in one of their luxury honeymoon suites, indulged in the thermal experience at their beautiful spa, a file and polish, a turus body wrap and scrub, and afternoon tea (all on separate occassions) I am already a big fan of the hotel and their beautiful interior, and top class service. I'd love to pretend I'm someone who frequented lovely places like this every so often, but I've just had a few strokes of good luck! When it comes to food, I have met my match with John. We enjoy a good scran together, and I have only ever tried their afternoon tea, so we were both excited to turn this day into a date and enjoy lunch together.
Priorities, aye?
We took longer choosing the cocktails than we did our actual meal! The cocktail and drinks list comes in this wonderful leather bound book. So much detail, with lots of annotations and illustrations. You'd think picking a cocktail in TGI's was bad enough. My favourite cocktail of all time is an Amaretto Sours, and although they didn't have this on the menu they were more than happy to make one up for me. And. it. was. amazing.
John opted for the Blythswood Negroni, which consisted of Gin, Carpano Antica and Campari. That's a lot of alcohol. And to be honest, it tasted like alcohol. I didn't like it (I was too obsessed over my own anyways) But John drank it slowly and seemed to really enjoy it. I think he felt like a 60's business man from Mad Men. How fantastic is the presentation though? That is a hand cut ice cube right there!
Now onto the dinner. We both got the above for starter, and I am the biggest loser for not taking a note of the names but I thought I'd be able to find them online :( It was essentially a salmon and potato croquette, with candied beetroot and a pea puree. Individually, the only thing out of this combination which would normally appeal to me would be the actual croquette. But together, it was the perfect balance of smooth, crunchy, creamy and sweet. Could have maybe done with one more croquette but that's just me being greedy.
My main course, can't go wrong with fish, potato and greens. The fish was succulent and perfectly cooked. I'd normally say at home the fish/meat would take up 80% of my plate, with greens etc being the rest but I was surprised at how satisfying equal parts fish and potato/veg were. We also had some lovely sun blushed tomato bread on the side (to which I took a sneaky dip into my gravy while no one was looking. I am a pig, I know)
Johns main, lamb medallions with greens and gravy. These were SO GOOD (for review purposes I told him I just had to have a little nibble at his...) I am not normally a fan of lamb, but it was delicious and the gravy was quite sweet, but the sweet potato mash again gave it a lovely creamy balance.
Side order of fries - standard protocol! These were hand cut 'twice fried' chips. I couldn't tell much about how/how long they'd been fried for to be honest, they just tasted like really good, old school home made chips. Crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside.
John's desert. Gingerbread icecream, panacotta and a biscotti. I'm not really a fan of either so didn't taste it but the presentation was lovely. And he ate it all so I think it went down well! John says he wasn't really a sweet tooth until he met me. But that is lies! Denial ;)
My desert (always my fave bit obvz) But I must say I was a little disappointed with my chocolate orange sponge. I expected something with a little more pazazz, along the line of John's. It was a bit too on the moist side, and not roasting hot. Don't get me wrong though, it was yummy! The cocktail, service, starter, and main were all perfect so being the sweet freak that I am I think I just built myself up too much for the grand finale. You can view the Blythswood's current market menu selection here, and to be honest, I was really digging for any sort of negatives in this meal because it was absolutely lovely. You can't go wrong with £20 for 3 courses like this, and the really refreshing point was that the portions were of a size that you could thoroughly enjoy them without feeling absolutely stuffed. Again I will reference TGI Fridays, but can you imagine eating 3 courses there? Um, no!
The setting was lovely, service was fab (as it always has been here) and I was really impressed by the fact that they make this menu up using ingredients from local Glasgow markets. Hence the name! I would be interested to see how often they change this menu however. I understand that set menu's always have a slightly limited but still fairly spread choice, but if I went back for lunch I would like to see something different again from the options we were presented with that day. According to the website though, it has changed already, so hopefully I'm right about that one and they do some sort of rotation depending on what is seasonal etc at the markets. Places like this really remind me why I love going out for meals. And also, why I love Glasgow and what it has to offer. Have you ever eaten, stayed, or been pampered at the Blythswood? And if so, what did you think?
So the story with me seems to be, eat what I want, don't exercise, but still complain that I'll always be the same weight. Our lunch at the Blythswood really proved that you don't need to eat LOTS to have a satisfied tummy. If only I had my own personal chef of michelin standards... (although John makes pretty mean scrambled eggs) I also really need to try and stick at the 30 day shred :( But my working hours can be so scattered and unsocial I either a. want to pass out by the time I get home from a 16 hour day of filming, or b. don't want to bounce around my bedroom at 1am like an elephant in a teashop, much to my flatmates delights. I feel like I won't do anything about my weight until I go over my *danger* zone. But that's such a rubbish attitude to have. I know. I'm sorry!
Where do you find your motivation from when it comes to eating and living healthy? (but still well) Share your secrets with me you wonderful creatures! While life keeps me super busy I'll keep on giving myself excuses not to get my bum into gear, but it has provided me with lots of good times, smiles and photos to share with you all soon (since I am possibly the worst blogger ever) of what I have been upto. And when I say soon, I promise!
Ayden x