New a la carte menu at Rosso - Mel will be there

So word on the street (or Onionring) was that Rosso had a brand spanking new a la carte menu out, so what better way to liven up my mid week than head down and give it a go.
Now to be honest Rosso has become something of a personal fave over the last couple of years – great food, nice staff, stunning building and generally always good. What’s not to like.

I have to say this place always has a good atmosphere, not too loud but with a nice buzz, and for a Wednesday it was almost full. We headed straight for our table, it was after 8 and I was getting hungry.

I ordered the calamari (I know I should experiment but it’s always good), and a sirloin with cray fish and prawn. Him across from me went for Affettati (selection of cold artisan meats with goats cheese) and finally decided on the monk fish tails for main. We were recommended a very nice Pino Grigio (£22 a bottle - not bad at all), which went down rather too well.

The new menu is pretty extensive, new additions include ‘Ippoglosso,’ the Head chef Steve Hilderbrandt favourite – it’s a ‘pan seared halibut topped with English asparagus, samphire grass set with a lemon and prosecco jus.’ He told me afterwards. ‘I chose this because we can source fantastic Halibut loin from our fishmonger at the moment and with the new season English asparagus coming through it is a great combination. Add a few samphire sprigs for a salty hit and our estate bottled Domus Picta Prosecco for a modern English/Italian marriage.’ Ok, next time Steve put me down for that.

Starters arrived promptly and with a smile from our spiky haired waiter (nice, friendly guy). My calamari was as good as ever, not too chewy in a light batter. Partners Artisan meats looked good (see pic), were nicely presented and apparently went well with the goats cheese and beetroot, which because he is greedy said he could have had a little more of.

Again mains were prompt, despite it being busy, aided I’m sure by what seems an army of waiters. My Sirloin steak came with a big, fresh prawn on top, and some lovely crayfish. The steak was really juicy and the chilli & samphire butter was beautiful. Partners Monkfish looked beautiful and was gone in a flash, not even the offer of a try for me. ‘Really good’ is about all he said, oh and ‘lovely sauce’. We shared a side of good proper chips which we didn’t manage. I should also mention the portions, they are proper sizes here but delivered really well, each dish looks as good as it tastes, but here there is no over the top fancy food – when your meal is gone in one mouthful. You won’t go away hungry.
After a little rest and a further glass of that nice Pinot we decided what the heck and had a dessert as well, I actually went for the cheeseboard, three none too smelly cheeses for me – again the portion was big and well presented on a wooden board, with three different relishes. Sorry to say my eyes were bigger than my stomach and I didn’t do it justice. Partner went for the Chocolate and Pomegranate Torte, which was ‘lighter than it looked’, I tried a bit and the Pomegranate seeds really worked well with the chocolate. A delicious end to yet another lovely meal.

We deliberated a cocktail at the bar, the swing singer was still in full...swing, but with it being a work night thought we better head off. But I have a feeling we’ll be back soon.

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Posted: Friday 6th June 2014
ID: 2707 - 1165