My week started with a catch up dinner date with my friend Johanna at the amazing Harrys on Longbrook Street in Exeter. We had organised the date what seemed like months ago and it finally came around. What better place to go than Harrys. The atmosphere is always buzzing and the staff are so nice and welcoming. I had reserved a table through their online booking facility and when we arrived we had a wonderful table by the window which was perfect.

Menus were handed to us but it must have taken three or four attempts by the waitress to take our order! We just couldn’t stop nattering! Finally we made our choices and I was pleased to see local wine choices on their wine menu. I obviously went for the local option and had a glass of Lyme Bay Winery’s Shoreline. I have had it before and find it very drinkable. My regular readers will know that I love supporting local producers and businesses. That is why I love Harrys so much as it’s an independent family run business.

Drinks decisions made and it was on to the food choices. I had been teaching all day without a break so I was ravenous. Johanna and I decided to go all out and have burgers. Not being a meat eater I had the falafel burger with halloumi and chilli sauce. Johanna had the Italian. A plump and juicy chicken breast with pesto and mozzarella. Both were served with homemade coleslaw and fries. We decided on sharing a side of onion rings too.

The food came and it was delicious. Just what I needed after a long and busy day. 

We opted on sharing a dessert and went for the baked cookie with ice cream. Johanna said it was the best dessert she had ever had. High praise indeed! 

After that I think we both fell into a food coma! I did manage to escourt Johanna to the bus station for her journey back to Sidmouth before taking myself off home. I think it did me good to have a little walk before getting into bed!

Steve’s mum, dad, brother Simon and his wife Joyce visited on Thursday. We popped along to the Firehouse. A pub that is a favourite with Steve’s family and only a five minute walk from our front door. I should have taken more pictures but I didn’t want to get in the way of everyone’s enjoyment but I did get this one of Steve’s burger. It was the special of the day and the tallest burger I have ever seen! It was stuffed with portobello mushrooms, goats cheese and onion rings! It was a beast of a burger.

Thursday evening I had the girls over. Friends from when I had worked at the clothing store The Gap. I made some really great friends whilst working there many years ago and we always try to get together every once in a while.

We made wonderful cocktails with gin, prosecco, elderflower and mint. Drinking them in the courtyard garden. To nibble alongside we baked two camemberts and created these rather wonderful garlic butter chips to dip into the gooey cheese.

I made a freekah salad with roasted aubergine and a light, zingy tahini dressing with lemon and garlic. Liz made a delicious mozzarella and tomato salad. Tash made her signature cheese straws. I prepared a garlicky butterbean dip so we could dunk our cheese straws. It was a wonderfully cheesey evening. We managed to spend the whole evening out in the courtyard which made it extra special. Eating outside always makes things taste better doesn’t it!?

Next week I am off to Croatia to experience some new cuisines. I can’t wait to get myself into a Croatian supermarket, little local bakeries and greengrocers. I will be staying in the old part of Split which is by the water so I am expecting lots of fresh fish. I understand that octopus is a specialty of the area which I am thrilled about. I love octopus and we don’t have it in this country very often. I can’t wait to share it with you.

Have a wonderful week everybody. If you would like to see what I am getting up to whilst I am away check out my Snapchat account (tiara-tara). I am hoping to snap my foodie adventures throughout the week. It’s all very exciting..