Date Night With Chiquito's

I have to be completely honest, I haven't been to a Chiquito restaurant in a very VERY long time. In fact, I think it was well over 10 years ago. Almost as long as I've been with Matt. It's his fault! Matt doesn't 'do' Mexican food.

So when the people at Chiquito offered me the chance to try out their tasty new menu I hesitated a little. Matt and I have promised ourselves to do regular date nights and this would have been ideal but I didn't even ask him because I knew what the answer would be. Then I asked myself "Why should I miss out because of Matt?"

I also had a superb idea!

Use it as an overdue GIRLY DATE.

I get to treat a friend and get out for a bit for some adult conversation. Win-win!

My best friend and I don't see each other as often as we'd like. I've blogged before about how different our lives are now and lately she's been jet setting everywhere. We've had one proper night out for dinner/drinks since TC was born, I think. The thing is though, we've been friends for 32 years now and I think we always will be friends - we have too much info on each other for a start!

So, the other week my friend and I headed out for an early dinner date to Chiquito's at Cheshire Oaks. We decided to go early as we were both tired (probably due to the fact we are both 40 next year!) and dealing with lots of personal stuff.

We were shown straight to the table and given a menu.

Wow!

I couldn't believe how much choice there was on the menu. It was like a book!

It took a while to decide on what we were going to order and we both changed our minds throughout the process.

It was a really extensive menu with a lot of food even Matt "I don't do 'fancy' food" Lucas would have loved. Ha! His loss.

We did have to wait quite a while to be offered drinks. In fact, by the time we were offered these we were ready to place our order. It would have been nice to have had the drinks whilst we looked over the menu.

I was driving (I'm such a good friend!) so my date ordered a White Russian which she was disappointed with as it came in a really small glass. She said it also just tasted like Bailey's (other brands of coffee liqueur are available, obviously!). She said it wasn't worth the £5.79.

But then came the food! Hurrah!

For starters we ordered Peri Peri chicken wings which came with a sour cream dip. They were amazing (really needed a finger bowl though). My friend ordered potato skins which she really enjoyed too.

There was definitely more than enough for a starter and my groaning hungry stomach was very satisfied.

Then came the mains. We'd both taken so long to decide what we were having and my friend changed her mind at the last minute and ordered the same as me. She was glad she did.

We both ordered the South-Western Meatballs and they were amazing.

What's not to like about this?

"Seasoned pork and beek meatballs in our signature tomato sauce served over sliced peppers, onions and Mexican spiced rice. Topped with sour cream, salsa and guacamole".

In a word. Yum!

And, because we were filling our boots we ordered a side of garlic bread with cheese.

Yup, that's how we roll!

So, I bet you're reading this and your mouth is watering? I bet you're also thinking that we couldn't possibly have room for dessert.

Well, you'd be wrong. Of course we ordered dessert...we're not mad!

My friend ordered the Banana Taquito (a whole banana fried in a cinnamon tortilla served with ice-cream). She said it was really nice but a little dry and could have done with some sauce.

I went for the Golden Nugget Cheesecake. Just look at it? Amazing or what? I sent that photo to Matt by text and I found him crying when I got home*

Our bill came to exactly £55. For a 3 course meal, drinks and a side for 2 people I think this is really good and I can't complain about the food or the atmosphere. I'll definitely be considering Chiquito's in the future. I did have a look at their Kid's Menu and it looks really good. I think MC would like it.

If, like me, you've not tried Chiquito's for a while then it's worth checking out their extensive new menu.

Also, it's a lovely reminder for me to make sure I get out more with my friends.

Thanks Chiquito's!


* Not really, obviously.

This is not a sponsored post.  

I did receive a £50 voucher to spend at a Chiquito Restaurant 

but all photographs, words (apart from quoting from the menu), 
views and opinions are my own.

Silent Sunday #27

The Gallery - April

I have to admit, when I saw the The Gallery prompt this week I was in two minds if this was going to be the first week I'd skip it as nothing immediately sprang to mind for April.  

However, the more I thought about the prompt the more I knew what I could do and I knew I wanted to include a top tune. So if you fancy being lifted a little on this Wednesday morning then feel free to click play...

You see, April for me has been somewhat a turning point in my recent mood in life.  April has brought with it good weather which always helps but lately I've come to realise what really matters. 

Those who know me know that I adore my friends and I'm extremely loyal to them - not just my best and closest friends but all my friends so when one let me down last year it hurt. 

A lot. 

Someone I thought was a good friend turned out to be someone else - she wasn't the friend I thought she was and I've really struggled to understand it all.  I don't think a week or two went by since last September/October where I hadn't thought about how she hurt me.  

Then April came. That was the month for me.  The month where I realised I'd dealt with it, a whole month where I didn't even spare 'her' a single thought. 

I believe that looking up and seeing that glorious blue sky in the past month has something to do with making me appreciate what I've got. I now realise that the good friends, the honest and trustworthy ones, are the ones that really matter in my life and that's what I should focus on.

So Hello Mister Blue Sky...

Many people will walk in and out of your life, 

but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart

- Eleanor Roosevelt

And for those without sound:

Sun is shinin' in the sky

There ain't a cloud in sight

It's stopped rainin' ev'rybody's in a play

And don't you know

It's a beautiful new day hey,hey

Runnin' down the avenue

See how the sun shines brightly in the city

On the streets where once was pity

Mister blue sky is living here today hey, hey

Mister blue sky please tell us why

You had to hide away for so long

Where did we go wrong?

Hey you with the pretty face

Welcome to the human race

A celebration, mister blue sky's up there waitin'

And today is the day we've waited for

Hey there mister blue

We're so pleased to be with you

Look around see what you do

Ev'rybody smiles at you

Mister blue sky, mister blue sky

Mister blue sky

Mister blue, you did it right

But soon comes mister night creepin' over

Now his hand is on your shoulder

Never mind I'll remember you this

I'll remember you this way

Mister blue sky please tell us why

You had to hide away for so long

Where did we go wrong?

Hey there mister blue

We're so pleased to be with you

Look around see what you do

Ev'rybody smiles at you

Ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba

Ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba 

Now head on over and check out all the other entries...

Claire Penn Photography...Plus a fantastic 25% off at Etsy!

Let me introduce you to one of my closest friends Claire.

Apart from being one of the most amazing friends ever she's also one extremely talented photographer.  She never ceases to amaze me with the beauty and creativity of her photos and inspires me each day.

Based in Chester, she's a natural light on-location custom portrait photographer covering mainly the North West and North Wales but has also traveled a lot further afield - that's just how in demand she is!

Just one look at her website Claire Penn Photography will show you the amazing photographs she has taken since setting up her business a couple of years ago. She's also taken some gorgeous photographs of Mini Cheddar for me - 2 of which I've displayed here.  You can view some more here.

I've used Venture Photography once before and although they are good (studio based though), the price that they charge for one framed photograph of any size is absolutely ridiculous.  I shudder to think of what we paid for the photograph we have in our lounge.  Claire offers something unique, no garish studio lights - just her the camera, natural light and creativity and talent and most of all, excellent value for money.

As a lover of photography myself, I know how much better natural light is at creating stunning photographs.

I know Claire is my friend but I can honestly say she offers a fantastic service for your portrait needs.  I wouldn't recommend her like this if I didn't think she was amazing.  I've recommended her to a few friends now and they have all been ecstatic with the results.

Please visit her website where you will find everything you need to know.  But be warned, you'll get completely lost in there looking at all the gorgeous photographs!

In addition to this, Claire also offers her Etsy Shop where you can buy some of her fine art photography prints at incredible prices. Also, she's currently offering a fantastic 25% off prices using the discount code 'ANNIVERSARY25'. I have attached just a small example below of the fine art photography prints but make sure you have a look at the rest at her Etsy Shop.

Please take a look around her shop as I'm sure you'll find something you will love and don't forget to claim your 25% off!

You can also follow Claire on Twitter at @clairepennphoto or become a fan of her Facebook page here.

Remember to say hello and tell her I sent you!

Fine art photography examples from Claire Penn Photography

This is not a sponsored post. I received no payment or goods. All words and views are my own