It's that time of year again when diaries fill up with Christmas outings of one kind or another - and my heart sinks every time a meal is booked, because I dread being served slices of melon, followed by something cardboardy or a large plate of lettuce, tomatoes and cucumber, culminating with a fruit salad whilst around me everyone else is tucking into something special, and festive. I pay the same as everyone else, but seldom do I feel I'm getting value for money.
However, I'm pleased to tell you that the Preston Community Choir Christmas meal at The New Continental in Preston was a delightful surprise:)
My starter was a variation on the vegetarian starter, which was a local blue cheese salad. For my plate the same base of tangy watercress and rocket leaves were wrapped around some sun blush tomatoes, then topped with sliced olives and chopped walnuts. I wasn't sure what the scattering of small things on the plate was until I put on my spectacles (it's so sad when you need to put glasses on to be able to see your food properly, isn't it? glasses should be full of wine!), but once on my nose, I could see that there was an artful scatter of small brown lentils - an unusual garnish that really worked well with the walnuts.
My main course was a delicious risotto, with an assortment of griddled vegetables. A very colourful and tasty assemblage of ingredients, don't you agree? I was really quite heartened by the meal so far - how often to you get to say that in a busy local pub?
For dessert the wonderful chef had created a vegan pannacotta, accompanied by festive berries - it tasted as good as it looked, I promise, and I savoured every mouthful.
Thank you to the chef(s) for producing such a lovely eating experience at a busy time of year - it was much appreciated.
