New Year Escape 2018 – Day One

New Year can be a bit of a sad and boring time to spend at home watching Jools Hootenanny whilst slowly getting drunk, well I’d prefer not to! It’s a time to see other places, and see what they get up to for new year. Last year, Mr Foodie surprised me with a trip to The Hague. Not top of my places to spend new year but it was fun and seeing the World’s biggest bonfire was a bit different!

This year Mr Foodie was on a secret mission again and kept the new year holiday plans quiet. Where were we going? Staying up until 4am for a Taxi to Buchanan Bus Station, that was fun zzzzzz. Then the bus to Edinburgh Airport. Still with no idea where we are off to…

By the time we got to Edinburgh Airport, we were starving. A visit to EAT got us these goodies.

I use the term goodies lightly. Look at The pitiful amount of salmon in the sandwich. Good tea, tasty toasted sandwich (but again the filling was minimal) and the pretzel – meh. £12.40 all in.

Time for me to find out where we are going…

Bratislava! Capital city of Slovakia. We had last been there 7 years ago on a cross-country trip through Europe and liked it. However, due to Eyjafjallajökull erupting in Iceland and disrupting air travel throughout Europe we lost a day of our holiday so only had half a day to spend there. This time, no eruptions!

We landed to a chilly and foggy Bratislava.

In no time we were in the centre of town and visiting Billa for some supplies.

And then checking in to our accommodation for the trip, Ibis Bratislava Centrum.

Everything we need. WiFi, shower and a big bed. It was nap time, so a snooze before dinner was required to refresh us.

The fog had gotten spookier during our nap. So we didn’t think we’d see many fireworks later.

Dinner was booked at Modra Hviezda , a restaurant and bar below the castle.

Some local pear brandy to start the night 🍸

Then onto local Slovak wine.

Mr Foodie started with Duck liver pate with almond and cranberries.

Whereas I had grilled cheese with bacon crisps and home made bread 😍

The cheese was like Halloumi and the bacon/jam combo heavenly.

Next up for Mr Foodie, grilled pork tenderloin with porcini mushroom sauce and roast potatoes.

My main was venison loin on a caramel cognac sauce on top on a purple potato purée. The caramel sauce worked a wonder with the potato and the savoury venison.

It was time for some Slovakian Rosé 🍷 Mr Foodie stalked Vivino and picked Mrva & Stanko – Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé 2012. Smelled just like strawberries and cream. A light and sweet wine.

Dessert time and we both had dumplings with walnut 😍😍

Along with a glass of Rizling Mrva & Stanko 2015 for me and Karpatska Perla “Aurelius” 2013 for Mr F. Both a tasty end to the meal. 👍 thumbs up for Slovakian wine.