Our Kelly receives an exclusive invitation to sample a sumptuous tasting menu at The Peacock Room.
Rating:
In A Word:
Glamorous
Cuisine:
Modern British
Appeals To:
Those seeking decadent dining that doesn’t stray too far out of the box; modern British cuisine with old fashioned service and the elegance you’d expect from a fine dining restaurant.
It’s got not one but two AA rosettes – need I say more?
Atmosphere:
Perched on a hilltop overlooking the rolling hills of Rochdale, The Peacock Room oozes grandeur inside and out. Situated in Crimble Hall, this award-winning restaurant has a glamorous interior that sets the scene for an exquisite dining experience.
Glittering chandeliers, gold-tinted décor and crisp white linen give the restaurant an opulent look and feel. As we drank in the detail of the extravagant bar area with a glass of champagne and canapés, we knew we were in for a treat.
Tasting Menu:
Having been generously invited by The Peacock Room to sample their menu along with a handful of other reviewers, we were given a whirlwind tour of the A La Carte menu, paired with wine chosen by the restaurant’s sommelier.
Executive chef, Rob Walker, joined us for dinner, as he talked us through the concept behind the menu. Rob’s passion shone through as he told us about his quest to reinvent British classics with a European influence, a legacy that he has passed on to The Peacock Room’s new head chef, Dave Broderick.
Here’s what we had the pleasure of tucking in to:
Hand-Dived Scallops – £9.95
Nestled in a boat of buttery angelica and caper puree, these tender scallops were brought to life by a scattering of sultanas, giving these nautical flavours a fruity twist. Topped with slim slices of pickled cauliflower, the delicacy of this dish was superb.
These flavours paired perfectly with the French white grapes of the Chateau Haut Peyrous Blanc. A distinctly tropical taste and floral aroma amplified the individual ingredients that went into making this dish memorable.
Fillet of Halibut – £19.50
Following on nicely from the scallops, this beautiful plate centred around a fresh, lean fillet of halibut, a canvas on which the bold flavours of chorizo and aubergine could be dressed.
Aubergine three ways gave this dish an interesting dynamic of textures, especially with the crunchy broad beans, diced chorizo and soft pinenut crumble. This dish was also accompanied by a fruity white wine, with Galician Albarino grapes exhibiting notes of apple and apricot.
Seared Loin of Lamb – £21.50
The delicacy of the menu wasn’t muted when we moved on to a meatier plate; the loin of lamb was arranged in a mosaic of gnocchi, anchovies, wild garlic, yoghurt and peas two ways, with a nostalgic drizzle of gravy.
Whilst I would have liked my meat a little more pink and tender, perhaps with a braver addition of the sheep’s milk yoghurt, it was delicious nonetheless, and once again demonstrated the intuitive pairings of the chef.
I was delighted to see that this rich comforter was accompanied by my favourite – a glass of Pinot Noir from the Malborough region of New Zealand. Needless to say, it stood up to the earthy lamb loin.
Blackcurrant Parfait – £6.25
Refreshing our palettes after the deep flavours of the previous dish, the blackcurrant parfait was perhaps my favourite plate of all. The punchy flavours of blackcurrant in the cool parfait invigorated the tastebuds, reminding us of those boiled penny sweets you’d find in a tuck shop.
Paired with a milder ice cream (all homemade, I might add), a slither of meringue, and sharp bites of liquorice puree, it was a tongue-tingling dessert that I would love to experience all over again!
Fig Tart Tatin – £6.50
For a more comforting classic, the fig tart tatin brought us back to the traditional roots that The Peacock Room stays faithful to, with flaky pasty encasing a gooey arrangement of figs in the centre.
Topped with a sesame twist and lifted by a dollop of lemon ice cream, it was perfectly accompanied by the sweet (and not too sickly) Chateau De Bern dessert wine that washed it all down.
The Verdict:
Situated in the rural heartland of Rochdale, this Lancashire restaurant is a fantastic fine dining experience that pushes – without breaking – the boundaries. Combining elegant service with superb flavours and glittering décor, it presents the whole package for indulgent meals and special occasions. A great way to end a roam through the countryside, and worth the drive out of Manchester!
The Details:
Crimble Hall,
Crimble Lane,
Bamford,
Rochdale
OL11 4AD
Tel: 01706 368591