Lunch at the Crafty Crow

On a typical Sunday, the cobbled street that runs alongside the steep rise up to Nottingham Castle is always bustling with visitors posing for snaps with the Robin Hood Statue, or heading into the castle to admire the gardens, delve into the caves, or browse the art exhibitions contained inside. There's a lot to do in this part of town, so it's useful that there are plenty of spots to stop for a relaxing drink or a bite to eat. On this particular Sunday - which was particularly bustling as it was also a Heritage Open Day - we went along to sample the menu at the Crafty Crow. The first impressions are good, as you walk inside the modern, stylish bar and restaurant - which stands just a few metres away from the main entrance to the castle. An open, airy design makes the Crafty Crow a pleasant place to sit down and grab a drink, or to fill up on some tasty food. The Crow may be better known for its drinks than its food, with a huge selection of quality ales and craft beers available - but I was particularly excited to dive into its menu, to see what was on offer. We decided to hold off on drinks until we'd ordered food, as the menu helpfully comes with suggested drinks to accompany each meal, and ensure you choose the perfect pairing for your food. I went for a pub grub classic - fish and chips. The whale of a fish was served on top of classic chunky chips, and came with a tasty dollop of mushy peas on the side. I was advised to choose a light lager to accompany the meal's flavours, so I gave the German style Helles Lager a try, which was crisp and fresh - perfect for a lazy Sunday afternoon. Gemma, who was eating with me, opted for a juicy looking burger, complete with some crisp sweet potato fries and a pint of a local pale ale to complement her meal. The burger came served with the cheese oozing out of the middle of the beef, rather than on top - which was an unusual choice but looked great. Topped with a jumbo onion ring, and plated up with a bucket of coleslaw, there was certainly no way she was leaving hungry. We both quickly cleared our plates - always a good sign - and with newfound energy from our hearty meals, we decided to give the nearby castle a visit, before walking off our meals with a quick stroll through Nottingham's idyllic Park Estate. So the next time you fancy a sip of local ale, or are craving a tasty British classic, the Crafty Crow is well worth a try.