My birthday...

The fun started with lunch at Betty's (famous for their tea) with my friend Laura and a surprise guest, Brandon. He took time off work to join us at the restaurant.


Then, Laura and I got manicures... nothing like a little pampering on your birthday. :)




Afterwards, I came home to these beautiful flowers from Brandon.


That night we had dinner plans with another couple that live out here, Jack and Patty. So I celebrated the remainder of my evening over at their place. It was fun; I enjoyed their company. But it doesn't end there... Brandon still wanted to take me out for a special dinner just the two of us. So Thursday night was celebration dinner #2. We went to 'Chino Latino' in Leeds.

"It is a modern pan-asian cuisine with a latin cocktail bar. Chino Latino has forged the reputation as one of the 50 best restaurants in Europe. It has perfected the art of a sophisticated and cosmopolitan dining experience."

Here's us ready to go eat:


The food was amazing. One of my favorite dining experiences in... a long, long time. We ordered 4 dishes because they are smaller portions and meant to share among your table.

Asparagus and spinach in a sesame sauce
Seared marble beef with crispy garlic and yuzu vinaigrette
Black Cod tempura with citrus glaze
Tannki roll tuna- salmon and sea bass with avocado and spicy tarragon miso with tempura crunchy

This was the black cod tempura... yummy! I wish we had pictures of the other dishes though because they were even a more impressive presentation.


I also must mention all the love that was sent my way from friends and family back home. Thank you guys for making my day special. So there you have it. Who said getting another year older was so bad...? I love birthdays! :)