|
Following a hard week at work, my sister and I
chose to spend our Friday
evening relaxing with a meal at Vanilla in
Lidget Street, Lindley. Set on
the main street amongst a variety of shops in this popular village you
could
almost pass this former terraced house by without realising. Although
there is no designated parking for Vanilla the side streets had lots of
available space and we were only a minute from the door!
The whole of the ground floor is set aside as a reception area and bar
where
we enjoyed a drink while we chose from the menu, settling into the
large,
comfortable settees. The reception staff were formal but pleasant,
drinks
were served quickly and we were allowed just enough time to consider our
order. Once the order had been taken we were accompanied upstairs with
our
drinks to the restaurant. There is no disabled access and anyone who
struggles with stairs would have difficulty here.
The restaurant itself was totally relaxing. Although the restaurant was
full it was not crowded. With cream table covers and walls, roomy
tables,
stripped pine chairs and exposed stone walls it was simple elegance! The
toilets were pleasant but very narrow (maybe slightly awkward for the
larger
diner!). The music, lighting and atmosphere set the tone for a lovely
evening and our waitress was a combination of charm and complete
professionalism.
Coincidentally, my sister and I selected the same starter, Butternut
squash
veloute with amaretto and thyme cream which was delicious! I have been
craving it ever since and have been inspired to buy a butternut squash
and
have a go myself. Neither of us were really tempted by the other choices
but other diners were definitely enjoying their varying starters.
Vanilla,
with its French and traditional British influence is not a restaurant
that
caters for vegetarians and our choice of starter was the only suitable
dish
on the menu.
Our main courses were also very good with my sister opting for the Beef
fillet with caramelised red onion tatin, home cured pastrami and
horseradish
risotto, wild mushrooms and red wine. I decided on the Rib eye steak
with
Cafe de Paris butter, green salad, balsamic roasted vine tomato and
garlic
field mushrooms which was served with a large helping of thick cut chips
after debating between this and the pan fried Sea bass. We both agreed
that
the steak was tender and the Cafe de Paris butter made mine a very tasty
meal. After we had started our main courses the vegetables arrived
(slightly delayed). They came with an apology for being slightly late
but
as we weren’t expecting them we felt guilty for having tucked in to our
already full plates!
The menu at Vanilla is designed for diners with a degree of culinary
knowledge and a willingness to try foods less common place, such as game
and
foie gras. However, we had a wide range of meat and fish dishes to
choose
from in addition to the wild duck, hare, partridge and wood pigeon. We
felt some of the catering terms would have benefited from a brief
explanation for those less experienced in haute cuisine. This did not
detract from the quality of the food and the visible and audible
enjoyment
of fellow diners. The table of four next to us were full of praise for
everything they had tried and another couple were thoroughly enjoying
their
selection on the Assiete of Vanilla miniature desserts. One gentleman
diner
passed our table and made reference to his wonderful meal. On seeing
that
we had not yet had our dessert he went on to highly recommend the lemon
tart. We decided to save the recommendation for a further visit and my
sister selected the vanilla brulee with a chocolate and coffee trifle
which
she couldn’t resist. I was full so went straight to the coffee course
which
was served with petit fours. That was until I saw the work of art my
sister
had ordered and decided that we should share! The vanilla brulee was out
of
this world, definitely to die for! The trifle was topped with a crunchy,
toffee chocolate arrangement and a perfect mountain of raspberries in a
coulis sat at the side. Delicious! The menu also has a selection of
French
and British cheeses.
Vanilla has an excellent selection of wines and each dessert came with a
recommendation of dessert wine on the menu. I limited myself to a glass
of
Sauvignon Blanc and my sister had fruit juice. We were asked if we would
like still or sparkling water with our meal and we chose a bottle of
still.
Vanilla is a centre of culinary excellence with its Chef’s special 7
course
tasting menu available Tuesday to Friday and themed evenings advertised.
There is an emphasis on the quality of food and freshness and this was
evident in our meal on the night. Diners can also sign up to receive a
regular newsletter informing them of planned occasions.
The total price of the meal (excluding drinks) was £49.45 and including
our
wine, fruit juice and water it came to £57.35.
I would say altogether worth going again for!
To see this restaurant on Virtual Huddersfield
click here >
Vanilla
Back
to Restaurant Reviews
|
