Fine Dining To Perfection
Danielle Cumber • Published 21 Sep 2010 09:30
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Restaurant review
It is a rare thing to come across a restaurant with such elegance and finesse, but The Vineyard at Stockcross has it all.
The restaurant has been under the control of TV chef and Frenchman Daniel Galmiche, who has held a Michelin star for 20 years.
Daniel works hard to change the menu seasonally, with his latest starting from Monday.
Although the vineyard that supplies the restaurant the wine is thousands of miles away in California, the restaurant prides itself on the wine it serves, boasting a menu of over 2,300 wines - the second largest menu available.
The Vineyard is the perfect venue for wine lovers and the team are launching a Wine Is What We Do event with a different wine themed day over the week.
Monday is Retail Detail, where wine is charged at only 10% more than the cost price. Tuesday is bring your own, Wednesday is 10 @ 10 with a selection of 10 wines off the menu at 10% more than the cost price, Thursdays is Classic Vintage For All, Friday is welcome wine for hotel guests, Saturday is Icon Night and Sunday is Vintage All The Way by the glass.
The Vineyard has also joined forces with Jimmy Choo this month to give away a pair of designer shoes with corporate overnight bookings over £7,500.
For more information see www.the-vineyard.co.uk
Throughout a meal The Vineyard’s talented staff are on hand to recommend wines to complement your meal and personality - and they are almost always right.
The atmosphere is very calm, the opposite to that in the kitchen, and you can imagine many a man has gone down on one knee in the restaurant.
The beautiful piano melodies added to the romantic feel of the place, with classics such as Lady In Red and Chasing Cars.
When it comes to food I could not fault it.
My guest opted for the seven-course vegetarian taster menu, and I chose the normal taster menu, as executive chef Daniel said they would show the full range of his abilities.
The first course of both menus was the best. I had pea velouté with smoked bacon foam, which was so delicious and creamy, with a full-pea taste.
My guest was served a variation of tomato essence, salsa and sorbet, which was by far the most bizarre and unusual dish - but Daniel would not reveal his secrets.
Other highlights of the vegetarian meal included cannelloni of aubergine stuffed with mini ratatouille and the refreshing Granny Smith, Calvados sorbet for dessert.
My favourite dishes from the tasting menu were pressed chicken leg and fois gras terrine and port jelly and roasted canon of lamb which Daniel revealed was cooked for 18 hours and marinated for two weeks. Truly an unforgettable experience.
This article appeared in Villager 16 Sep 10
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