Lunch with a view; always a winner and after a very smiley welcome we were shown a window side tables.
Menus, drinks, order taken happened very quickly and efficiently which I love. I make decisions quickly and I like prompt service. There's a balance between prompt and rushed and being left to rot. I think prompt and rushed is differentiated by a smile and a genuinely hospitable manner and then being left to rot...well when that happens, as a customer you know it. And there was none of that on this sunny Sunday.
Our waitress really helped us decide on the amount to order and what was good and her help was invaluable.
Menus, drinks, order taken happened very quickly and efficiently which I love. I make decisions quickly and I like prompt service. There's a balance between prompt and rushed and being left to rot. I think prompt and rushed is differentiated by a smile and a genuinely hospitable manner and then being left to rot...well when that happens, as a customer you know it. And there was none of that on this sunny Sunday.
Our waitress really helped us decide on the amount to order and what was good and her help was invaluable.
Zeally Bay Sourdough sticks, dukkah spices and "Camilo" extra virgin olive oil came out first. Soft breadsticks, still warm with a golden yellow olive oil that was unusually buttery and almost creamy. A very welcome start!
Fried school prawns, chilli salt and lemon arrived next and these little morsels were a delight. Popping with spice and then salt and then sharp tang of lemon with a crunch and then briny prawny flavours these were so moreish. And they whetted our appetites for more delights.
Fried school prawns, chilli salt and lemon arrived next and these little morsels were a delight. Popping with spice and then salt and then sharp tang of lemon with a crunch and then briny prawny flavours these were so moreish. And they whetted our appetites for more delights.
We cannot resist halloumi, saganaki or other fried, melted cheese and so we pounced on the vine leaf baked haloumi, lemon and za'artar. I didn't know what za'artar was but we ate it and enjoyed it! I now know it's a Middle Eastern spice mix and tasty it was. The sweet raisiny, pine nutty topping with the salty, gooey, milky cheese was just so yummy.
As well as being weak for halloumi, we also cannot resist quail so we had to have the roast quail wrapped in vine leaves, grapes, pine nuts and sumac. Tasty, tender meat dripping juiciness and then sweet grape and salty cheesy yoghurty creaminess from the dollop of white dairyness on the plate (not sure what it was but sure tasty).
As well as being weak for halloumi, we also cannot resist quail so we had to have the roast quail wrapped in vine leaves, grapes, pine nuts and sumac. Tasty, tender meat dripping juiciness and then sweet grape and salty cheesy yoghurty creaminess from the dollop of white dairyness on the plate (not sure what it was but sure tasty).
Little duck pies and the Middle Eastern coleslaw came next. The little duck pie was a delicate triangle of filo type pastry dusted in icing sugar and cinammon and then an almost sweet curry duck filling inside. The sweetness was enriched with the sultanas in the Middle Eastern coleslaw which was delicious and light and saved everything being overly sweet with a spiking tang of dressing.
Spiced chicken, smoked almonds and chargrilled sweetcorn was our final savoury dish. Fragrant with spice but not so it overwhelms the true flavour of the chicken or affect the texture as sometimes dry rubs can this was just delicious. No other words.
Chocolate torte, orange, figs and baklava crumbs
Middle Eastern mess, berries, meringue, rose
Our dessert choices were so different. I loved the mess - it was creamy and luscious but not overly so as there was the sour tang of yoghurt and the freshness of the strawberries sweetened by the fairy floss, Turkish delight and strawberry jelly then kissed by rose petals.
The chocolate torte was also good but I preferred the freshness of the mess. The chocolate torte was a rich smooth ganache like mousse cut through by the orange and finished off with seasonal figs. Accompanied by tea for two this was a beautiful way to end a wonderful lunch.
Middle Eastern mess, berries, meringue, rose
Our dessert choices were so different. I loved the mess - it was creamy and luscious but not overly so as there was the sour tang of yoghurt and the freshness of the strawberries sweetened by the fairy floss, Turkish delight and strawberry jelly then kissed by rose petals.
The chocolate torte was also good but I preferred the freshness of the mess. The chocolate torte was a rich smooth ganache like mousse cut through by the orange and finished off with seasonal figs. Accompanied by tea for two this was a beautiful way to end a wonderful lunch.
RSS Feed
