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TopTable -wevisitOakVilla Restaurant &Gin Distillery inEastHarling
TO PTABLE OakVilla Restaurant & GinDistillery – EastHarling
Owned by South African couple ShaunandLindi Hancke,OakVillaisbasedin a beautiful,lightandstylishopen plan buildingjustofftheA11.
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Our eveningbeganwitha very warm welcomeand the ‘EnjoyGin’ experience, where Shaun took usthrough the fascinatinghistoryofgin, how thevarioustypesaremade, plus plenty oftasting —including theirtwo award-winning gins Vryheid andHeartofOak. OakVillaoffers severalother ‘experiences’,including gin blendinganddistilling. This wasa very enjoyable andunusualstart to theevening, andawonderful preamble to ourmeal.Thestyle ofthe restaurantis verymuch casual finedining,andthe dishesare bothtraditionalandSouth Africaninspired. IstartedwithOakVillaGin CuredSalmon,withconfit beetroot, pickledcucumber ribbonsand alime,coriander andgarliccreme fraiche.Such a prettydish,withjust ahintof gin inthesalmontoadd fragrance. Theearthybeetrootandtangy pickledcucumberwereperfect partners,andthe cremefraiche broughtitall together. Mypartner choseChutney Chicken Thighs, agenerous skewer oflightlycharred succulentmeat,bakedwith OakVillaapricot chutneyand served on a bedofpeppery rocket andlambs’leaf.This wasameal initself,fullof flavour, tender anddelicious. Mains were equally impressive.For me,a Mushroom andButternutOpenLasagne, servedwith aparmesan crisp, andlambs’lettucedressedwith truffleoil.Aninspired twist on thetraditionaldish,with atower oflayersofpasta,mushroom duxelle andbutternut puree.It wassubstantial, yetlight,with lotsofearthyflavours, plusit was beautiful to look at, too. My fellow diner chose something typicallySouth African,as ourhostinformedus, andveryunusual to ourpalate; TwilightBobotieand Rice, which wasaslightlysweetbakedmild beefcurrysetin asavouryegg custard,servedwithfragrant yellow rice, braai breadand rajitha.Mypartnerlovedthis verydifferent curry,withits great mixofflavoursthatall worked together,and lovely fluffynaanstye bread. We sharedaverygood side dishofpan-fried longstem broccoliandcourgettes. Fordessert, Ichose Passion Fruit CremeBrûlée,servedwith coconut icecream —sweet, creamyand smoothwith agreat ‘snappy’sugar crust. Formy partner,Lindi’sMalva Pudding, ameltinthemouth warm sponge, plus vanillaice cream. Very decadentindeed, moreish andyummy! What a great evening we had atOakVilla!ShaunandLindi have created awonderful, warm andinteresting experience, with superb food,friendlyand knowledgeable staff andthe chance to learnabout,taste, createand enjoygin.Thisisthe perfect venuewith adifference; ideal forparties,corporate Christmas events or just agreat evening outfor two.Cheers!
Three-course dinner fortwo, includingdrinks -£75.85.Enjoy Gin experience-£25p/p.
OakVilla Restaurant &Distillery, St.George'sDistillery,Harling Road, RoudhamNR162QW. OpenMon12pm-4.30pm, Tues to Sun 9.30am-4.30pm, Thurs to Sat6.30pm-11pm.
