Nottingham is famous for: Robin Hood, Brian Clough, lace.
Nottingham should be famous for: Food, drink, shopping and entertainment. My recommendations below...
(I grew up here, you can trust me.)
FOR FOOD
For a 'Sunday Dinner Burger' (it's exactly as it sounds) -
Annie's Burger Shack, 5 Broadway, Nottingham, NG1 1PR
For a cheese and charcuterie board -
Delilah, 12 Victoria Street, Nottingham, NG1 2EX
For pancakes with a side of english breakfast - The Warsaw Diner, 93-95 Derby Road, Nottingham NG1 5BB
For cheap but authentic Italian -
Dolce, 11 Broad Street, Nottingham, NG1 3AJ
For all you can eat -
Peachy Keens, 114 Upper Parliament Street, Nottingham, NG1 6LF
For a taste of London -
Bill's, 15 Queen Street Nottingham, NG1 2BL
For the ultimate tomato soup -
LP4, 3-5 Hounds Gate, City Centre, Nottingham, NG1 7AA
For a bento box -
Chino Latino, 41 Maid Marian Way, Nottingham, NG1 6GD
FOR DRINK
For a traditional tea in a traditional setting - Thea Caffea, Enfield Chambers, 14a Low Pavement, Nottingham
For a quirkier tea in a quirkier setting (& one of my favourite places in the city) - Lee Rosy's, 17 Broad Street,
Nottingham,
NG1 3AJ
For really thick hot chocolate - Chocolate Utopia, 30 Friar Lane
Nottingham,
NG1 6DQ
For a deadly sin (cocktail) - Pit & Pendulum, 17 Victoria Street,
Nottingham,
NG1 2EW
For very strong beer and a board game - Brewdog, 122 Broad Street, Nottingham, NG1 1AL
For open mic over wine - Jam Jar, 17 Gibbons Street, Nottingham, NG7 2SB
For booze with a view - Rocket at Saltwater, The Corner House, Forman Street, Nottingham, NG1 4AA
For an American ski lodge feel (another favourite) - Canalhouse, 48-52 Canal Street, Nottingham, NG1 7EH
FOR SHOPPING
For quirky mainstream fashion - Urban Outfitters, 13-15 Victoria Centre, Nottingham, NG1 3QN
For vintage shopping - Vintage Warehouse, Cranbrook Street, Nottingham, NG1 1ER
For artisan foods - Delilah, 12 Victoria Street, Nottingham, NG1 2EX
For obscure magazines - Waterstones, 1-5 Bridlesmith Gate, Nottingham, NG1 2GR
For neon shag bands (& dreamcatchers, & crystals, & other random must haves) - Ice Nine, 9-13 Goose Gate, Nottingham, NG1 1FE
For comics - Page 45, 9 Market Street, City Centre, Nottingham, NG1 6HY
For cute (affordable) dresses - Ark, Victoria Buildings, Victoria Street, Nottingham
For ski gear - Two Seasons, 1 Fletcher Gate, Adams Walk, Nottingham, NG1 2FS
FOR ENTERTAINMENT
For art house cinema - Broadway, 14-18 Broad Street, City Centre, Nottingham, NG1 3AL
For dancing until you drop (and for mid-size gigs) - Rock City, 8 Talbot Street, Nottingham, NG1 5GG
For smaller gigs - Rescue Rooms, 25 Goldsmith Street, Nottingham, NG1 5LB
For deer, & for Batman fans (it was Wayne Manor) - Wollaton Hall, Nottingham, NG8 2AE
For ice skating - National Ice Arena, Bolero Square, Nottingham, NG1 1LY
For a historical aspect - Nottingham Castle, Castle Place, Nottingham, NG1 6EL
For a brisk walk in nature - Attenborough Nature Reserve, Barton Lane, Beeston, Attenborough, Nottingham, NG9 6DY
For contemporary art -Nottingham Contemporary, Weekday Cross, Nottingham, NG1 2GB
On occasion, I will come across a story that allows me the hope that true love - the everlasting, fairytale kind we grow up believing is out there for us - is within reach. Floyd and Violet are one such story. Played out like a scene from Nicholas Sparks' The Notebook, childhood sweethearts Floyd and Violet Hartwig married in 1947, while Floyd was on leave from the Navy. Becoming inseparable, the pair kept in touch via letters while Floyd was at war, and later settled in California. This month, the couple passed away. They went within five hours of one another. And they were holding hands. Before the passing, and given only two weeks to live, Floyd had told a doctor "I’m OK but I want her fixed" - a fact that warms my heart more than I could possibly express. I'm sharing this as a thank you, Floyd and Violet, for showing me what it can mean to love another, and for showing the world how beautiful and worthwhile a relationship can be once you've found the right person. You truly are an inspiration.
