Fiona Brianne | Beauty, Fashion & Lifestyle Blog: October 2015

At the beginning of the month, I had the opportunity to stay at the Hilton Hotel in Croydon for a girls night in before a wedding. The hotel was by far the best I have ever stayed in (mainly because I tend to go to the cheapest ones I can find.)

Our group of six was treated to two luxury junior suite rooms, which were spacious and well made over and a three course meal in The Larder, the resturant downstairs in the lobby.

- T H E D I N N E R -

@ The Larder

STARTER

Cod, Cornish Brie and Bacon Fishcake served with caramelised onion and Pina Colada

I decided to go with this fishcake for starters because I liked the sound of the bacon and brie. This was extremely crispy and the inside of the cake was seasoned very well which I was initially afraid about as my previous experiences of fishcakes have been bland.

If you know me, when faced with a menu of drinks I have never heard of before, I chose my go to and call it a night- The Pina Colada.

Melle's starter: Truffle Mushrooms on toasted brioche

Kelita's starter: Scallops with mushy peas, chorizo crisp an

DINNER

Braised Pork Belly with crushed new potatoes, glazed carrots, stewed peach and apple gravy

Onto the main course, which was essentially just pork and veg, but was actually a very succulent and fatty piece of pork belly with seriously good vegetables and gravy. I was sold at the sound of the peach and apple gravy and just because I was particularly craving pork. The only thing I wish was a little different on the pork was the crackling which was solid, I couldn't get my knife or teeth through it, and I was bitterly disappointed because it looked delicious.

Bea's main: Garlic and thyme chicken with ratatouille vegetables and leek and pan gravy

DESSERT

Chocolate Brownie Sundae

Last but not least, dessert. By this point, I was quite full, but I always have space in my stomach for some dessert, in this case a huge brownie sundae. Unfortunately, I only managed about half of this, which was probably a good thing because it was mostly cream and ice-cream and I was in "24 hour bridesmaid mode". The brownies at the bottom were pretty chunky and hard, I thought I was going to break my teeth.