HAVING just recently start a diet, finding the perfect eaterie - where the food is both satisfactory and lean - is not exactly the easiest thing.
With this being new territory, I decided to return to old territory and visit the Red House, in Chester, where I have already enjoyed several hearty meals and knew the food to be of top notch standard.
It was quite late when my friend and I arrived, close to 9pm, but there were still several tables full of people chatting quietly over dessert and coffee.
We surprised one of the waiters a bit when we asked for a table for two, but he was very chatty and sat us down overlooking a balcony.
The lighting was dim and the interior was very sleek and modern. The music was not so loud as to overshadow our conversation.
However, perhaps due to much of the back side of the building made of glass, the dining area was a bit chilly but there was nothing anyone could do about this, so we just let it go.
We were promptly seen by our waitress, who, much to our delight, presented us with a special offer menu called 'Fly First Class', which offered two courses for £12 and three courses for £15, along with a complimentary glass of champagne, juice or coffee.
I requested a coffee to be brought at the end of the meal and in the meantime asked for a glass of red Candidato Tinto Tempranillo, from Spain. The wine was smooth and fruity, perfect for a wind-down after a busy day.
My friend took advantage of the free champagne offer, a glass of Jansz Tasmanian Bubbly. We were also brought a jug of icey tap water.
There were two choices for each course on the special offer menu and I quickly made a decision that I believed would be very tasty and also healthy.
After a few minutes into our conversation the starters were brought out. We both ordered the same - an oven-dried fig and goat's cheese salad with honey and mustard dressing.
It tasted divine.
We were unable to finish the goat's cheese as the chef had been quite generous with our portions.
Our plates were cleared and our main dishes were brought out shortly afterwards. The presentation was just like something out of an advert.
I had ordered a salad of crispy beef and potato with sweet soy dressing, sesame and chilli, but I asked to hold the potatoes and instead bring out a side of vegetables.
The waitress remembered to take off the potatoes but forgot to ask for vegetables. Also, no one asked us if everything was all right during our meal, so we did not get the opportunity to correct that.
However, the beef was very crunchy and bursting with flavour.
My friend had ordered a fish pie with an assortment of brown and white crusty bread on the side.
The fish pie did not have the usual pastry topping and looked a bit like a chowder, which I am a big fan of. He offered me to try a taste and I thought it was delicious.
I finished every bite on my plate and at the end of my meal I wanted to eat it all over again.
I was a bit annoyed about them forgetting the vegetables but at the end of our meal the waitress came over to apologise.
Our dishes were cleared once more and then my friend's dessert came to the table.
It was a steamed chocolate and orange marmalade pudding with a scoop of Cheshire ice cream and chocolate sauce.
Because I had a bit of extra room I decided to take a few naughty spoonfuls. It was absolutely mouthwatering. My coffee was also brought to the table without the need to remind anyone.
By the time we asked for the bill it was already nearly 11pm.
We left feeling very full, but I was happy I managed to stick to a mostly healthy plan throughout the meal and still really enjoy myself.
Despite the few little mistakes I have been really pleased on my other visits to the Red House, and am sure I will return soon.
The 'Fly First Class' menu changes weekly and is available from Monday to Friday.
The Bill:
'Fly First Class' special menu
Starters:
Oven dried fig and goat's cheese salad with a honey and mustard dressing
Salmon and Atlantic prawn rillette with saffron rouille and crostini
Mains:
Salad of crispy beef and potato dressed with soy, sesame and chilli
The Red House fish pie with homemade crusty bread
Desserts:
Lemon tart with raspberry mouse and fresh raspberries
Steamed chocolate and orange marmalade pudding with a scoop of locally made
ice-cream and chocolate sauce
Complimentary glass of Jansz Tasmanian Bubbly, coffee or juice
£12 for two courses
£15 for three courses
A bottle of Candidato Tinto Tempranillo £3.95