Evening out

Went out for a meal with my workmates today, partly to celebrate a team member's birthday and partly as one of the team who works in another office was up with us.

Went for a drink first at a bar overlooking the canal at the back of the Mailbox in Birmingham - lovely evening, really warm (and dry!) and we wished we'd booked one of the restaurants where we could sit outside and enjoy the evening.

We'd already booked at the Malmaison hotel - they are doing a special deal early in the week where you can have a 2 course meal with half a bottle of wine for £15 - which seemed like a good deal to us.

The food and wine were good, and we had a good laugh, nice to be able to relax and chat out of the office environment. Service was a bit slow but ok, but there was a shock when the bill came. £9 for the two tiny plates of bread and butter which the waiter brought to the table without being asked and without telling us how much. 3 tiny portions of green beans - £9.75 plus £14 something service charge. I thought that was taking the proverbial a bit! Not impressed and I wouldn't be in a rush to go back. Oh, and £7 to park!

However, we have decided that a lunchtime trip to Nandos would be a great idea so we'll try that next time we have nearly everyone in the office at the same time - at least we shouldn't get ripped off there!