Three ladies who lunched...

Over the last three years the large downtown area of Bristol (Broadmead) has been re-developed at a cost of 500 million pounds. It has now been renamed as Cabot Circus and the link will give you some interesting facts and history.

My mother was very keen to see Quakers Friars which used to be the Registry Office, both mum and I got married there the second time around. It is a listed building and it has been incorporated into the development. Although it used to be practically surrounded by a car park I do think the actual building has lost its charm surrounded as it is by modern shops and cafes. I think the square will probably look a lot better in the summer when people are eating outside. However, I am wondering do we really have the sort of weather for a cafe culture-I don't somehow think so!
The square had been decorated with some very large coloured baubles and there were reindeer sculptures dotted around.
My mother is unable to walk very far but we did manage to to go a short distance into the circus area which is partly covered.
Every so often mum had a little rest and admired the view.
Escalators, stairs or lifts take you to the upper levels but we didn't venture that far. There is also a covered walkway to a huge new car park, or so the taxi driver told us-we decided not to drive as mum would never have managed to walk that far.This picture shows how they have created plenty of light through the roof.
One of the first places we had to find was the ladies rest room, I thought it was worth a photo. The disabled toilet was out of order which didn't impress me, and although my mother managed, anyone needing assistance would have found it difficult.
Beccy and her Granny just before we went for lunch at Harvey Nichols.
The restaurant is on the second floor and some of the tables overlook the square. This was Beccy's birthday treat to her granny, who thoroughly enjoyed it.
I only took a couple of photos as my camera is not good enough to do the food justice.
Beccy and I ordered organic chicken breast with truffle butter and cos. Mum ordered roast rump of lamb, beetroot and root vegetables. Anyone who is a foodie will say the lamb is over cooked it should be pink but my mother wanted it well done!

To go with this we had roast potatoes (small new in skin) with red onions, purple sprouting broccoli, with sultanas and a mixed salad with a wonderful dressing. All absolutely, melt in your mouth delicious. Oh, and as we weren't driving we had a glass of wine.
Beccy and I had no room for anything else but mum managed home made raspberry ice cream (you could see pieces of raspberry in it) and a coffee. Afterwards mum declared it was the best meal she had ever had-so much for my cooking!
We wished that Sam had been with us, but maybe next time she visits as we all agreed we would like to repeat the experience.

Archives:
2007: Witty Wednesday-29
2006: Anxiety