If you are looking for a fun way to spend a few hours in Nottingham, then I highly recommend The Nottingham Contemporary. This is exactly what we did this week, and had such a fab time. I don’t know what it is about The Contemporary but when we go there I instantly feel relaxed, and the longer I’m here the more chilled out I feel. I was kinda hoping that this would rub off on the girls. We have had quite a hectic summer holiday, and I’ve felt that the girls just needed to have some time where we just sat and talked and relaxed and were not over stimulated.
So what did we do?
I am going to split this into two parts, the first element of food here, and the exhibition and family entertainment available HERE.
Firstly we went for lunch, as we wanted to sample the food on offer at The Contemporary Cafe Bar. We have never eaten a meal here before just coffee and cake, which was very delicious. So we decided to have lunch, we got their fairly early and there was only a couple of other tables occupied. The menu is very comprehensive with snacks, breakfasts and lunches, both sandwiches and larger main meals. Hot and cold drinks are available also. As you enter there is a bar area where you can order food and drinks, as well as a salad bar, which also houses the deserts.
We chose some soft drinks, and ordered from the menu.
Miss N went for a bacon and chicken sandwich with a rocket and onion relish, this was accompanied by salad and coleslaw. MIss N loved her sandwich, is was a very big portion, but she tried her darndest to finish it! The bread was fresh, and the relish was flavourful. I tried the salad, and the dressing on it was really delicious. I always think its disappointing when a salad isn’t dressed. Miss N score was 9.5/10, it only lost half a point because she couldn’t finish it.
I went for the spicy tomato and mixed bean burger, again with coleslaw and triple cooked chips. It was a huge portion! I loved the pickles, and the toasted bun was amazing, fresh and crunchy! The triple cooked chips were very crispy and fluffy on the inside, perfect!
Miss A had Penne pasta with tomato sauce and cheese. Miss A is a picky eater, but I thought we would be safe with pasta, as tomato based sauces and pasta are her favourite. Unfortunately when it arrived, it was more creamy that tomato-ey, so she didn’t eat it. However two other children on the next table ate it up with no complaints.
I thought the staff were very knowledgeable and courteous, and friendly. The atmosphere was relaxed, and there was music playing in the background. I loved the way it was decorated, with quite quirky things on the wall. A long table was on one side, with colouring things and a few books. There were some funny sheets with outlines of faces, and the children could use food to make faces with. You could eat in this area if you wished to.
If you visit the site HERE you can see the opening hours, they have music every Saturday and open until 11pm. Also the whole of the summer, Kids eat for free.
The children’s menu includes:
– Homemade beef burger and hand cut chips
– Sausage and root vegetable mash
– Poached salmon and new potatoes
– Pasta in tomato sauce
For every adult meal bought between 12pm and 3pm, a children’s meal can be picked free of charge (usual price £3.75).
Special Offers
Friday at Five End your working week in a cosy corner specially reserved for you, with free nibbles and offers on wine. Book in advance by phoning 0115 948 9754.
Family Elevenses Tots aged five and under get a free cookie week day mornings between 11am – 12pm.
I think its the kind of place, that unfortunately you forget about because its within The Contemporary, and that’s a shame as it really does have a lot to offer.
Thank you for reading
Sonia says
It looks and sounds yummy! I may have to make a trip! x
Amanda Cottingham says
Huge portions, and very tasty!
Alexander Residence says
I love it there too, so relaxing. Mr G and I got the bus, sat in the cafe, at croissants and drew pictures for a good hour before pottering round the gallery. Your pictures make me hungry!
Amanda Cottingham says
Hehe! That sounds like a lovely morning. I need to write up the last installment when I get chance, where we made models and had our picture taken in the huge photo booth 🙂
Liz Burton says
Sounds lovely, book you, me and Molly a table for when we come up. When ARE we going to do that? x