Sunday

After an easy check-in to the hotel, we walked 15 minutes into town for a cider at The Ship Inn. We ordered at the bar and sat outside in the shade as the air temp was gorgeous. The beer garden was full of friends meeting for pints and definitely seemed like a local hangout.

After drinks we walked over to Piccolo Arco for dinner. I had the Fettuccine al Cartoccio (mixed seafood pasta) and Eric got the Pollo Saltimbocca (chicken with parma ham and gravy). We both opted for a large glass of wine as the prices were a better deal than the small glasses. Even though it was near closing time, our efforts to pay and skedaddle were politely thwarted by the chatty owner and we wound up closing the place down talking with him about Italy, road construction, and rental car contracts.

Monday

Eric was picked up early for a work meeting so to get some exercise and fresh air, I opted to walk into town and grab lunch at Waitrose. I bought a ‘juicy roots’ pressed juice (beets weren’t too strong, thank goodness) and two sushi rolls, then returned to the outdoor garden back at the hotel to enjoy my lunch.

Eric had heard about a wine bar in town from a work colleague so we checked it out… Bar Fifty-Six is a cozy place with a nice outdoor seating area in the back. I had a large glass of a Spanish red (The Guv’nor) and Eric had a Albarino. With a lovely atmosphere and friendly service we would definitely return on a future trip.

We opted for dinner at Cote Brasserie and this time split the flatbread with caramelized onions, cheese and thyme as an appetizer and both ordered the delicious steak frites for our mains, all paired with a bottle of Cremant. For dessert we split the lemon tart and each had a dessert wine. As with our previous visit, service was good and the food was tasty.

Tuesday

With a later start we went back to Cote Brasserie for brunch. I had a flat white and croque madame while Eric got an orange juice and the croque monsieur. Eric would have liked his sandwich toasted more but the flavor was very tasty and my coffee was delicious. Our server was very chatty and friendly as well.

Eric was meeting colleagues in Reading for the day, so afterwards I joined everyone for drinks at Hope and Bear, then dinner at Miah’s Garden of Gulab. My dish, the Keema Aloo Chana, was amazing. I loved the mix of minced lamb and chickpeas and it had just the right amount of medium spice. Eric’s Lucknowi with chicken was also good but a lot milder, served in a fruity curry sauce.

Wednesday

After checking out of the hotel, I walked over to Waitrose and bought a banana, pineapple and coconut smoothie to go along with my sushi sampler. It was cloudier than Monday, but I still enjoyed my lunch in the garden (dodging the bees seeking the lavender).

I picked Eric up from work at 5:00pm and we headed over to The Yorkshire Rose in Warfield for a pint of guinness and cider out in the courtyard before our meal. It was the first place we went to back in January and we liked it again the second time. I ordered the spaghetti bolognese and even though the mushrooms were not traditional, I enjoyed the addition. Eric’s mushroom risotto was good but a little one-note by the end of the meal.