Our Kelly Gilmour-Grassam discovers a little gem just outside of Manchester – Thai-Mediterannean fusion food in Swinton.
Rating:
In a Word:
Vibrant
Cuisine:
Thai & Mediterranean
Appeals to:
Lovers of fresh, healthy and exotic cuisine looking for a restaurant experience with home-cooked flavours.
Atmosphere:
Perched on the roadside as you pass through Swinton, you’d be forgiven for overseeing this small, unassuming restaurant. But step inside Green Oak Bistro and you’ll be rewarded with a warm welcome and a homely interior that instantly puts you at ease.
Ladda, head chef and owner, has clearly put her heart and soul into the restaurant – her first venture as she strives to share her passion and age-old recipes with the world. Everything about the place is eclectic, from the diverse playlist through to the detailed décor; giving the place an intimate look and feel that makes this fusion bistro brilliantly unique.
The Food
What gives the Green Oak Bistro such diverse appeal is its menu. Thai food is rapidly growing in popularity here in the UK, but not everyone is a fan of Asian cuisine. With a broad selection of pasta and fish dishes, you can bring your whole family along for a good fill, without worrying about the fussy eaters.
Everything is prepared fresh in-house, made to order, with nothing stored overnight or bought in bulk. This commitment to cooking from scratch ensures that every dish tastes incredibly light, whilst packed full with powerful flavours.
Starters
Chicken Satay – £5.50
Tender pieces of chicken breast coated in a satay marinade were a succulent starter to whet our appetites. Served with toasted peanuts and homemade satay sauce for dipping, they were delightfully moreish. The satay sauce was not overbearing; made from a blend of coconut and peanuts, it had a creamy texture and a mild nutty flavour that made it an instant favourite on the menu.
Green Oak Roll £4.95
Deep-fried and wrapped in pastry, spring rolls are rarely considered a light starter. However, these vegetarian spring rolls were unexpectedly delicate. With a crisp crunch and plenty of filling, they were delicious dipped in the homemade sweet chilli sauce.
Both starters were beautifully presented on a sharing platter, with a bed of salad and some particularly punchy fried whole chillies that complemented the dishes perfectly.
Mains
House Lamb Curry £13.25
Faced with a fantastic variety of Thai dishes, Ladda’s recommendation didn’t disappoint. Her renowned lamb curry was presented in a beautiful ceramic pot, still steaming fresh from the oven.
This fragrant dish was brimming with vegetables, including plenty of sauce to soak up the rice. Meaty but tender pieces of lamb gave the curry a rich and aromatic flavour, highly spiced whilst ensuring the chilli didn’t dominate the whole dish.
Grilled Cajun Sea Bass £13.95
A guilt-free main course that was packed full of flavour, the grilled sea bass showcased the Mediterranean side of Green Oak’s menu. The generous helping of melt-in-the-mouth fish flaked on the fork, with Cajun flavours that danced on the tongue.
Served on a bed of grilled asparagus, with roasted sweet peppers and new potatoes, this colourful plate of food was wholesome and filling, leaving just enough room for dessert!
Dessert
Thai Mango Sticky Rice Pudding £3.95
On contemplating whether we had enough room for dessert, Ladda insisted that her mango rice pudding (a recipe passed down from her mother) was not to miss. True to her word, this dish was sweet and tasty. Hot and comforting, yet light and refreshing with the fresh mango chunks on top, it was the perfect way to round off our visit.
The Verdict:
Since opening a couple of months ago, Green Oak Bistro has already gained a sterling reputation for its wonderful food and fantastic service. Ladda treats every one of her customers as if they are guests in her own home, which is reflected in the authentic flavours and the passion that she and her team share.
It’s early days yet for her little restaurant, but as word spreads about this North Manchester gem, we’re sure it’s just the beginning for this bistro.
The Details:
121 Chorley Road, Swinton
M27 4AA
Tel: 0161 794 5091
Email: info@greenoakbistro.co.uk