What could be better than an evening of great food and entertainment? We went along last week for the ultimate experience. Seated in the restaurant, which enjoys a view out over the sky mirror and the green. We choose from an extensive drinks menu which offers locally brewed real ales, continental lagers and ciders plus wine and prosecco.
During the day it is the ideal spot to pop into for lunch, which is served between 12-2. A unque lunchtime menu offers a range of options which include Caesar Salad, Halloumi, Fritto misto, Croque Monsieur, Linguine, Stuffed roasted pepper and soup of the day. If the dishes are anything like the evening menu, then they are bound to excel.
We choose from a selection of starters. The evening menu which starts from 5pm includes Soup of day, Salt & Pepper Calamari with Chilli, Garlic & Rosemary baked Camembert, Salad of caramelised Chorizo and Roasted smoked Salmon. Chef Liam, who trained at the Defence Maritime Cookery School and has also worked for the Royal Navy, The Thorn Tree, Jamie’s Italian and The Durham Ox, keeps the menu short, concentrating on doing the dishes he offers really well, rather than dish up lots of pre-cooked food. All the dishes are freshly prepared in the basement kitchen and they offer seasonal menus suitable for a variety of times during the day. They support local producers using local ingredients wherever they can.
An impressive selection of Mains include Fish Pie, smoked haddock, white fish & prawns, Tuscan sausage and fennel ragu, Roasted Gressingham duck salad, Beer battered cod and Pappardelle Primavera. We choose the last two dishes. The gorgeous Pappardelle primavera is made with thick ribbon pasta, garden peas, asparagus, broad bean, mint and French bean and lemon gremolata. Presented with flair, this dish is really excellent.
My companion plumps for good old fashioned Fish & Chips, and isn’t disappointed. Fat, golden chips are served with Beer battered cod and mushy peas.
Naughty desserts include Summer pudding, Bakewell tart, chocolate brownie and the excellent Eton Mess which we managed to find room for. Crisp merangue is served with fresh cream and fresh fruit.
Presented with the flair of a fine dining restaurant, this exciting cuisine is a bit of a well kept secret on the Nottingham food scene at the moment, but we’re guessing that wont be for long.
We were lucky enough to go on into the Playhouse afterwards to catch a performance of the brilliant East is East, and would definitely recommend pre theatre dining in the Playhouse Bar & kitchen, followed by a show, for a truly memorable experience you’ll be pushed to find elsewhere in Nottingham.
Looks like the Playhouse has yet another award winning production under it’s belt.
Our meal was complimentary but the views are our own.
By Tanya Louise
