The Garden Room Restaurant is located in the main building of Coombe Abbey and has a casual feel while setting an ambient atmosphere you'd expect in the Abbey. We had one of the tented tables in a quiet corner of the restaurant, giving us an almost private dining experience. Certainly something I'd recommend to anyone visiting the restaurant,
it's a unique and intimate experience. We were on wicker chairs, not my first choice but the experience was very enjoyable otherwise, and the friendly service was a pleasure to receive.
After browsing their wine list we settled on a cabernet sauvignon. A strong fruit-driven wine that rounds off meat and fish meals nicely.
To start we ordered king prawns, in a light coconut and curry broth with a mini coriander bhaji. We also decided on the pan seared shetland scallops, with teriyaki glazed jimmy butler pork belly, clonikilty black pudding, and bon bon russet apple. Both dishes were thoroughly enjoyable, the Indian flavours were prominent and delicious.
“The desserts were absolutely superb, a righteous end to a thoroughly enjoyable evening.”
For our main courses we ordered the pan fried stone bass, which comes out with a creamy spelt grain, sauteed spinach and shaved fennel smoked bacon foam. I can't find a fault with this dish, the bass tasted fresh and was perfectly complimented by flavours from the spelt grain and bacon foam.
My partner ordered was the slow cooked Earl of Stoneham pure breed wagyu beef shin. This was partnered with beef dripping parmentier potatoes, curly kale, roast onion puree, parsley root and watercress. Quite a few different flavours on the dish, but each equally complimentary, and a delicious culinary experience. We also had a side of cauliflower cheese and potato gratin.
To conclude a very satisfying dining experience we moved onto desserts. One amaretto steeped winter berries cinnamon sabayon glaze, with blood orange sorbet, and, a chilled valrhona chocolate fondant with chocolate soil, butter caramel ice cream and cinder toffee. The desserts were absolutely superb, a righteous end to a thoroughly enjoyable evening.
The Bill: £49 per night
