Last year we went to the Wild Garlic a few times and had some great meals. The word some gives you the impression that all were not great. Well maybe so but that was more a matter of a budding restaurant and inexperience rather than poor food. Each visit got better and so I was really looking forward to see Mat Follas again after a few months and seeing how his restaurant, food and staff had changed. Well, changed it has! Not hugely in some areas but enough to make a big difference. The restaurant looks much as before: relaxed, bright and colourful (alright, just one colour) and the oak tables are ‘breaking’ in well. The staff were excellent. No gold stars for anyone in particular but everyone seems to enjoy working there and it rubs off. Maybe it is Mat’s excellent management skills or just that they are all part of a team that is doing well – I think a combination of the two. Roll on the food! I’m not going to eulogise about each course. I don’t have time and to be quite honest there are others more capable than me. What I will say is that certain aspects stand out. Firstly Mat’s food has improved and has jumped up another level in quality. Secondly, his portions are a little bigger – I’m not complaining here but in some cases they were a little small before.
So why was it so good? Taste and quality, I would say, oh and did I say faultless! It’s not food with foams and dotted sauces (Mat has used these words in the past) but it is still well presented. Just go there and sample the food for yourself.
I have to add that we managed to sneak in a lunch just before we left – Barnsley Chops with Wild Garlic Pesto – what a fitting fish for the Wild Garlic Resto!
Sounds like a really great weekend. We went for the first time in August last year, with a large group of friends which meant that, between us, we ordered most of what was on the menu and specials board. And then again a couple of weeks ago we did both a lunch and a dinner.
ReplyDeleteFor us, portions were same as before, pretty big, especially the whole fish which were huge both times. And, I have to say, I haven't noticed a quality change. But we just had that one group meal before, so not visited as many times as you have for those comparisons.
We too noticed how great the service is, on both visits. A really warm and helpful front of house team.
I posted a review of our recent visit a few days back.
Oh and we also went to Hix (review went up last week) and the Three Horseshoes in Powerstock (still on list to write up).
It really is a GREAT foodie corner of the world, isn't it?
It is!
ReplyDeleteWhat did you think of the Three Horseshoes - we had a very good meal there.
Tried the European Inn / Gaggle of Geese?
Honestly, it was almost perfect except that everything was REALLY oversalted. REALLY. I need to write a review actually. Must get to it. Have very long outstanding list.
ReplyDeleteI should add that Kavey is referring to The Tree Horseshoes and not The Wild Garlic!
ReplyDeleteHusband and I went there for lunch last week while on a visit to relatives on south coast. It was well worth the drive! It was a pity we missed Mat but as you said all the staff were excellent and made us very welcome. Agree about the food portions - we had mackerel and were amazed to get two each. We'd been to Gary Rhodes' place in Christchurch the night before and Mat's cooking was on a par if not better (and the portions were definitely bigger and the wine list much more realistic). Sarah Lane.
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