The Fat Cat café bar on Watergate Street is a very pleasant place to spend an evening, with its bare stone walls and dusky lighting.
It has become a favourite meeting point for my work friends and I and we recently decided to begin the night with a meal there.
Things started well – the service was friendly, if a little slow on drinks at times, though we were a group of six and we were next to a group of what looked like more than 20, so I guess a little patience was required.
The menu is pretty extensive and didn’t just stick to the usual safe pub grub options.
In fact, I think our group managed to avoid any stereotypes.
Oh, except me – I went for garlic mushroom and ‘baby ball’ mozzarella stuffed potato skins, which were fine.
But I was jealous of those who chose the goat’s cheese and chive potato cake or the mozzarella and tomato salad, which looked much fresher and lighter, and I was assured they were very tasty.
For my main it was a tough call between seafood linguine and the gorgonzola and spinach gnocchi. After much deliberation I went with the linguine.
I have to say it was pretty good and the chef didn’t hold back on the helpings of queen scallops, king prawns and crayfish.
But the aromas from the gnocchi, which my friend Claire had chosen, were very enticing and, I think, in an ideal world I’d have had both.
Those who chose the king prawn, pea and lemon risotto seemed very content with their lot, although after ordering the waiter announced they were out of peas!
This didn’t seem to bother people though and Mel, who asked for a replacement, was politely given fresh and crispy broad beans instead – although I ended up eating most of them.
The marinated chicken also went down well and was described as “tender and tasty”.
One or two in the group would’ve liked a little more on their plates but seeing as though we all managed to take advantage of the two courses for £11.95 offer, I guess we couldn’t complain too much.
The presentation of all the meals was great and we found ourselves very satisfied at the end of it.
The café also serves breakfast and a ‘Little Kittens’ menu for children, as well as – a personal favourite of mine – an ample selection of cocktails, which are on offer during happy hour.
The bill
Stuffed potato skins £4.45
Potato cakes £4.45
Mozzarella and tomato salad £4.45
Olives £1.45
Gnocchi £7.50
Linguine £9.95
Risotto £7.50
Marinated chicken £7.50
(two courses for £11.95 offer)
Drinks – including soft drinks, hot drinks and beer – £20.95
Total for six people – £96.55