Latest Review stuart, Feb 29th, 2012
On arrival at the Grosvenor Casino we were warmly welcomed by very friendly and attentive staff and immediately directed to the Gallery restaurant where we were seated in a rather comfortable and intimate booth. Set in the far corner of the casino the restaurant’s decor was light and contemporary and the tables were presented to an exceptionally high standard, adorned with beautiful cream napkins and modern cutlery, creating a very relaxed atmosphere.
Whilst browsing the menu which consisted of a variety of different dishes ranging from the traditional sirloin steak to the more exquisite, sea bass fillets and roast duck we were presented with fresh bread accompanied by a very flavoursome virgin olive oil and a thick, deep, fruity aged balsamic vinegar, which were both delicious.
For starters I ordered the coconut fried shrimp which arrived both looking and smelling fantastic! This was accompanied by a refreshing salad of cucumber and carrot ribbons and a small dish of sweet chilli dipping sauce. The shrimps were cooked beautifully, succulent and juicy inside whilst the batter surrounding them was light, golden and crispy, they were not greasy or oily as often fried food can be. The coconut shavings combined with the batter added a lovely texture to the dish as well as providing a delicious sweet earthy flavour. These went perfectly with the spicy chilli sauce and the fresh tangy salad and altogether was a taste sensation!
My partner opted for the Antipasti which was a selection of cured meats including Parma ham and salami, marinated vegetables, a rocket salad and parmesan shavings. This was again beautifully presented and was a real pleasure to eat with lots of different flavour combinations to try, from the natural salty taste of the Parma ham to the spicy salami and the richness of the marinated vegetables. This partnered with the fresh, peppery flavour of the rocket and the creamy, tangy taste of the parmesan shavings created an explosion of flavour in my mouth. This starter was a right up my street, a real taste of Italy done to an amazingly high standard.
For my main course I had the fillets of pan-fried Sea Bass served with fennel coleslaw and crushed new potatoes. The dish arrived piping hot, with the fillets cooked just how I like, the skin was a deep golden brown and was crisp and crunchy whilst the flesh remained moist and flaky. The crushed new potatoes were very fresh and flavoursome having been tossed in a lavish buttery dressing and the fennel coleslaw added a real freshness to the main course. The vegetables within the coleslaw including fennel, carrot and white cabbage were all very fresh and crunchy, this added another dimension to the soft flesh of the Sea Bass and the waxy new potatoes. In addition, the natural aniseed flavour of the fennel cut through the richness of the fish making it a very pleasant dish. The finishing touch was a balsamic vinegar glaze which was sticky, sweet and fruity and added a real depth of flavour.
My partner chose the slow roasted belly of pork served with braised spiced red cabbage and glazed apple, a rather comforting and homely dish. This was another exceptional course with full bodied flavours, the combination of sweet spiced cabbage with the moist juicy pork was outstanding . The belly pork, a normally difficult cut of meat to cook well, was very soft, tender and melted in the mouth. It required no effort to cut or eat, believe me! I also ordered a side dish of hand cut chips, these were crisp on the outside and beautifully fluffy in the middle, the best chips I have had in a long time.
To finish I ordered the lemon tart, which was very light, refreshing and tangy. The pastry was crisp, golden and baked extremely well, there was no soggy bottom at the base of the tart which I half – expected. The lemon filing was creamy and fluffy and had a strong zesty taste of lemons which complimented the sweet crisp pastry perfectly. This was served with a raspberry coulis which emphasised the lemon flavour. The perfect way to end a meal.
My partner chose the chocolate delice, which was a rich chocolate mousse cake with a gooey caramel centre accompanied by fresh strawberries and a strawberry coulis. The mousse itself was deliciously chocolatey and light, whilst the caramel centre was sweet and silky this in combination with the fresh strawberries was exquisite. Hands down the best chocolate dessert I have had in a very very long time.
Overall our time spent at the Gallery was very relaxed and enjoyable, the staff were extremely friendly, welcoming and attentive and the cuisine was fantastic. The perfect venue for any occasion whether it be a gathering with friends, a celebratory night out or a romantic dinner for two, the Gallery at the Grosvenor Casino is the place to go!
