Thursday - Friday

We’ve been moving around a little. On Thursday we went to Lincoln, mostly to see the city that we’d never visited together, but also to meet up with my sister who I haven seen for most of a year. The meet up was excellent, though we couldn’t eat where they wanted (the Pride of Lincoln) because of a power failure. However, we were fine in the next door Franky & Benny’s which had good service and acceptable food.

That evening, we dined in the Reform Restaurant, that is in the Castle Hotel where we were staying. It was an interesting, and generally pleasant experience, though I think it misses the ‘fine dining’ target by a little. Starters were: Pressed Terrine of Wood Pigeon Black Pudding, Pickled Silverskins & Savoy Cabbage, Blackcurrant Jelly, Carrots a la Greque and Crab, Crème Fraiche & Tarragon Risotto Salmon & Cucumber Ceviche, Vanilla Fennel Salad.  Both were fine, though I think the concept of the terrine was flawed, even though the flavours were good the textures didn’t really work together. My partner said that the risotto needed more crab.

Our mains were Poached Loin of Lamb (Served Pink) Chive Mousse, Leeks & Parma Ham, Red Cabbage & Apple Puree, Cider & Rosemary Fondant Potato and Pan Fried Rib-Eye Steak Short Rib Rosti Potato, Stilton Soubise, Tempura Sprouting Broccoli. Both were fine, the lamb being particularly good, though I thought that the puree was too sweet and that there was too much of it. Partner didn’t like the stilton soubise, and I agreed when I tasted it (not, perhaps, the best concept).

Desserts were outstanding: Baked Apricot & Vanilla Cheesecake Salted Walnut Praline Biscotti, Apricot Sorbet and Warm Ginger Parkin Stem Ginger Ice Cream, Poached Rhubarb. Overall, a good experience, that we’d be happy to repeat. The wine list was decent and reasonably priced, too.

After we arrived home on Friday, I cooked smoked gammon in an onion, mushroom and cream sauce with mixed wild and basmati rice.