No matter how long the Winter, Spring is sure to follow…
Every season our Head Chef has the exciting job of creating a new menu for you to enjoy, and this time of year brings us Spring free-range Lamb, Purple Sprouting Broccoli and Yorkshire Rhubarb.
Tony and the team have devised a tasty menu which we’re sure you’re going to enjoy, and last Thursday, we managed to wiggle in on his menu tasting and are now able to share with you, some of the great new dishes you’re likely to find in the pub soon.
If you’re a lover of Cheese (I mean who isn’t), then the Double-baked Blue Cheese Soufflé is the one for you. The sweetness from the candied walnuts and the slight bitterness of the Chicory really brought the dish together for a pure plate of yumminess. Next, we moved on to Seared King Scallops & Truffled Pea Purée – another absolute winner. The slight flavour of Truffle in the smooth Pea Purée, was just absolute divineness!
But, the real star of the show had to be the Home-smoked Loch Duart Salmon, Salt-baked Beetroot & Lime Crème Fraîche. If you haven’t tried it already, Loch Duart Salmon is like no other. Their team focus on a gold-standard of farming with their fish being fed on a natural diet to produce consistent, healthy and tasty Salmon. This particular dish involves brining and home smoking the fillet to produce a delicate, flavour-some dish paired perfectly with the Beetroot and Capers.
Next up we moved onto the main event, with Tony serving up a wedge of the Wild Mushroom & Gruyere Tart, need we say more, followed by the most tender Braised Beef Cheek I may have possible ever tucked in to. Marinated in wine and herbs before being slowly braised, the gelatinous Beef Cheek oozed flavour and was pure melt in the mouth. I just know it’s going to be a popular one!
But, a cook-off wouldn’t be a cook-off without some tasty puds! To start, a layered Mocha Chocolate Mousse using only the very best Valrhona chocolate; only the finest French producers since 1922! The richness of the chocolate was matched perfectly to the coffee cream, a superb end to the tasting. We finally managed a spoonful of the Banoffee Cheesecake… needless to say, a pure delight.
Be sure to pop down and give some of our new dishes a try, anytime after Wednesday 2nd March! We guarantee some of the best food you’ll eat in Harpenden!
