The Scotsbridge Mill

I know I haven't blogged in ages, I could use the usual excuses of being too busy working and there not being enough time in the day. However, if I'm being honest I've been saving my money for my trip to America in November and moving out in August (who knew there was such a array of home stuff to purchase).

A while back I went to the beautiful Scotsbridge Mill in Croxley Green, nestled in the charming suburb of Rickmansworth. This beautiful riverside pub was chosen by my lesser half's family as the location for their Grandfather's birthday. This recently refurbished traditional pub also has a charming working mill attached.

We had a delicious meal including starters and mains, we passed on desert to save room for the birthday cake! My choices were Salt and Pepper Squid with garlic aioli followed by Roasted Mushroom, Feta and Onion Tart with asparagus and pea shoots. Being the greedy devil I am I also ordered a portion of twice cooked chips.

The Scotsbridge Mill

The Bar

Pimms

Artisan Rustic Breads with Dukkah, Olive Oil an Olives - £4.95

 

Artisan Rustic Breads with Dukkah, Olive Oil an Olives - £4.95

Salt and Pepper Squid with Garlic Aioli - £4.95

Home-made West Country Beef Burger with Gherkin, Mustard Mayo, Emmental Cheese, Relish and Frites - £10.95 with added Chorizo - £1.50

 

Roasted Mushroom, Feta and Onion Tart with Asparagus and Pea Shoots - £9.50

The Scotsbridge Mill is excellent value for money, 10 of us ate and drank for a very reasonable £30.00 a head.

If you are ever over in Croxley Green, Rickmansworth I highly recommend a visit. The staff are very pleasant and attentive and the food was delicious. Ever better, on a Monday to Friday until 6pm The Scotsbridge Mill offer a fixed priced lunch menu priced at £11.50 for two courses or £14.50 for three courses.

Why not have a look at The Scotsbridge Mill's fantastic website and scrummy menu here - at the moment you can sign up to their newsletter and get a free bottle of Champagne on your birthday. You can also follow them on twitter @ScotsbridgeMill

The Stockwell

With family friends over from the Czech Republic who have a keen interest in history and art we decided where was better to eat than The Stockwell. Situated in the historical town of Colchester in Essex, sits the recently refurbished Medieval Restaurant and Real Ale Hall. It's one of Colchester's most historic buildings located in the Dutch Quarter.

The Stockwell has the most incredible lunch and dinner menus, as well as producing beautiful Afternoon Tea's (I have previously reviewed the Afternoon Tea at The Stockwell, and you can read this review here http://fallingjess.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/mothers-day-madness.html).

On this occasion we were seated in The Empire Room. Their website states that The Empire Room which is "set off by an imposing chimney-breast ... offers lavish and luxurious dining at its secluded best and is ideal for private dinners or family celebrations for up to 16 guests. Escape into a world of majestic opulence as dedicated staff cater to your every need". I can honestly say that the secluded and intimate dining experience wowed our guests and that the enthusiastic, friendly, informative and attentive staff satisfied our every need.

On to the crux of the matter, the food. My choices were:
- For starter the "Surf and Sty" consisting of warm flavoursome pig’s cheek terrine, sauté baby scallops, wilted English chard and wild garlic velouté.
- For the main event myself and my lesser half shared their signature dish, "The Stockwell Sharer". Served on a medieval style metre long banqueting board, were the delicious garlic infused chicken breast, pulled pork, stuffed Hiso cabbage leaves, roasted belly of pork, Peasant’s Catch, squid bolognaise, mashed potatoes, saffron cereals, roasted spring vegetables, grilled field mushrooms and cured tomatoes. (With our eyes bigger than our bellies we also ordered a side portion of their incredible Triple Cooked Chips!)
- And finally for desert I indulged in the "Heaven Scent Lemon Sharer" for Two (I did share honest!). This sharing board contained a glazed lemon tart, lemon sorbet, chilled lemon cello shot and lemon meringue pie.

The Stockwell Sharer

The Stockwell Sharer from a different angle

I thoroughly enjoyed my meal, I even surprised myself and enjoyed the Nettle Tea and The Peasants Catch; which is The Stockwell's take on medieval porridge containing mussels, semolina, samphire and spring onions in smoked haddock milk, finished with baby watercress.

Other diners within my party enjoyed for starters the Soup of the Day, Line Caught Cornish Mackerel, Chargrilled New Season Asparagus and The Stockwell Snag. For mains they feasted on the Steak and ’Umble Pie, Crispy Pork Belly and Sweet Spiced Pulled Pork, Garlic Chicken and Crispy Salted Pork and the 28 Day Aged Chateaubriand (8oz). Their desert choices consisted of Stockwell Eton Mess, Warm Poached Rhubarb and Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich.

As a large group of 10 we consumed a fair amount of alcohol, however our final bill was around £44 per person. For the vast amount and impressive quality of the food it is safe to say that I felt this was superb value for money.

Check out there website for menus, special offers and private dining information
http://www.thestockwellcolchester.com/
 If you have dined at The Stockwell why not share your experience with my fellow readers in the comment section below.

The Godfather of Italian Restaurants.

Il Padrino is a quaint Italian Restaurant situated in Church Street, Colchester, Essex. Il Padrino is literally translated as The Godfather so you know from the word go it's going to be good.

The authentic Italian food is to die for with a with a vast menu of pastas and meat or Carne dishes. An example of the pasta dishes would be the delicious "Rissoto con asparagi", which is arborio rice cooked with fresh asparagus, shallots, white wine, cream and parmesan cheese. A meat or Carne dish that is highly recommended by my lesser half is "Petto di anitra al Grand Marnier", which is roasted breast of duck served on a sweet mashed potato topped in a Grand Marniere sauce.

The specials board is plucked out of every fish food lovers dream, over flowing with mouth watering starters and main courses. My favourite specials have to be Fausto's Seafood Special and the Spaghetti Lobster - they are both incredibly scrummy!

    The Spaghetti Lobster

My only advice when booking to request a table downstairs, it alters the atmosphere of the restaurant completely. Downstairs (or the lower floor) is an old brick wine cellar and is perfect for any occasion whether it be a family meal or a date night.

Unfortunately, on my last visit I unfortunately fainted and left the bill paying to my lesser half, he informs me he spent £30.00 per head! I would like to say a massive thank you to the staff who were brilliant and looked after me incredibly well. However, I am venturing there again on Friday 28th March so I will edit my blog and run it past my three trusty questions:

1. How much is it going to set me back?

2. Is the alcohol affordable?

3. What's on the menu?

Have a look at Il Padrino's website for menus and upcoming events: http://ilpadrinocolchester.co.uk

 

If you venture to Il Padrino why not share your thought, opinions and pictures with me! And don't forget to check back for my full review.