We have a huge backlog of posts to write and publish so huge apologies for the quietness over here recently. But you’ll be glad to hear we’ve been super busy eating lots of delicious meals all for your reading (and then hopefully eating) pleasure!

We went to Firebird a couple of times recently but as they have just launched a new spring menu, we’ll just write about our most recent visit (and the pictures are better).

A rare outside picture - Firebird

We were having dinner with some friends visiting from England and decided to go to Firebird for a relaxing 3 course meal – the last time we ate there, we arrived at 6pm, I had to be somewhere else by 6.40pm so it was hectic to say the least!

We ate:

Goats cheese croquettes with honey, piquillo pepper sauce and toasted walnuts

When I read the menu, this was the first thing I saw and drooled over. Goats cheese in a croquette? Heaven! Thankfully they lived up to expectations and were lovely and crunch with oozy goats cheese in the centre. The sauce and walnuts went really well with the croquettes – I just wanted more!

Chicken terrine with almond pesto and cider poached pears

A lovely starter – full of flavour without being too rich, and made up of good sized chunks of chicken.

Lamb kofta pizza with halloumi, harrissa oil and rocket (optional extra)

I don’t normally order pizza when I’m out, but Firebird has such an extensive list it seemed silly to pass them by. I really liked this pizza – just the way a pub pizza should be, thin, crisp with fresh and flavoursome toppings. I really liked the lamb kofta on it, I thought this was quite unusual. It also had some pomegranate jam on it to add some sweetness.  I added rocket as an extra to get some extra greens into my meal!

Osso buco - veal shin braised in white wine and tomatoes, with saffron risotto and green beans

This was Graeme’s choice, and he really enjoyed it.  The veal was lovely and tender, and tasted fantastic.  The risotto went really well with it, and had a great depth of flavour.  We eat a lot of risotto at home, and we’d be doing really well to make one this good.

Dark chocolate and hazelnut cheesecake with vanilla ice cream

Graeme had his eye on this from the start and it was just as delicious as it sounded. A really smooth, creamy and decadent chocolate cheesecake which I would definitely order myself next time we visit.  Be warned though, you may have to make sure you keep some space for it, as it’s very rich (in a very good way)!

I really liked Firebird – it’s a casual pub restaurant with excellent, friendly service and an interesting new spring menu.  It seems like we aren’t the only ones who approve, as the restaurant area was full when we were there on Friday night with a mix of people – families, Friday night drinks crowds and friends catching up for dinner (us!).  Well worth a visit.