This particular instance, the captain had just returned from a family trip and we'd been so busy the week before that I'd barely seen him. I had just finished an intense, emotional meeting at uni and was advised to go and treat myself.
I was all set up for going and buying something that I could look at or wear over again and it bring a smile to my face. However on my travels I realised how much I actually hate shopping and how little time I had before my next lecture.
Now there aren't many amazing independent foodie places in the centre of Coventry, much to my despair, but there is Drapers, formerly known as Browns. Local owned and run business, cool vibe, interesting building (a coventrian informed me it used to be a public toilet house).
Popped in and unfortunately they had discontinued the chicken and chorizo salad which was galiothian in taste! So I went with sweet potato cakes accompanied by rice and salad.
The place was quiet enough not to warrant my orange music ear muffs to block out insincere, meaningless drivel, which often frequents lunch dates between colleagues or friends who don't really know each other or what to talk about...or even how to stop.
Phone away, food came, I ate in silence (and only off my own plate). I was alone with my food and it made me happy. Paying attention to what you eat, as you eat it, keeps your mind fuller for longer, not to mention you can enjoy the taste of every last bite.
And man this meal's attention seeking ways are 100% warranted. The sweet potato cakes were actually balls, with a ridiculously thin fried shell, tasting of Indian spices (my favourite part) but once you broke through, the sweet mash and spring onion was a smooth hot mess to be devoured. Yes. Just yes.
I reckon the browny grey thing in the pot was some kind of cold tapenade and the rice was as crunchy as the salad but whatever, SWEET MASH BALLS!
So I had some change and, again because they had decided to temporarily discountinue my 2nd (only to nandos) favourite ever carrot cake which also happens to be vegan, I got a mammoth scone and stupid amounts of clotted cream.
Basically, it was amazing. Going from emotionally drained to lunch for one you wouldn't have thought it would have made me feel better buuuut it did, and it continues to. I can't wait to go back, alone! There seems to be such a stigma around doing things alone at my age. I don't get it, sometimes it's just unnecessary to have to compromise.
