FOOD
T O P TA B L E
The Walnut Tree, Thwaite
I
t’s so good to be out reviewing our fantastic local eateries again, and we couldn’t have made a better start with The Walnut Tree, at Thwaite. This imposing Grade II listed building on the A140 was in The Times last year as one of the 30 best vegan and vegetarian restaurants in the UK, so we had high hopes. Looking at the menu, it’s clear that this is veggie and vegan food with a difference; creative, innovative choices, lots of world food dishes and enough options to get our mouths watering. I would put it firmly in the good gastro pub category. There are also vegan drinks on offer, including beers, wines and soft drinks. But on with the food, to start with I chose chickpea and apricot tagine, which came with a wonderful spiced carrot chutney, toasted sunflower seeds, and very 26
moreish deep fried beetroot flour tortilla triangles. A beautifully cooked and presented dish, with sweet, savoury, spicy and tart all working together perfectly. My partner started with vegetable gyozas, crispy deep-fried parcels of shredded vegetables, coriander root and chives, drizzled with plum sauce, topped with toasted sesame seeds, and served with Asian slaw. Again, very tasty, innovative and gorgeous to look at. On to mains, and for me a mushroom and walnut polpette, with roasted mushroom and walnut ‘meatballs’ served on a bed of pasta, with a creamy roasted red pepper and sun dried tomato sauce, and Italian hard cheese. This was proper pasta, those meatballs were divine, not heavy but ‘meaty’, and the sauce was fresh and packed with Mediterranean flavours.
For my companion, it was baked brie, spinach and butternut squash risotto, made with pearl barley. This was a great combo of rustic and modern, the risotto al dente and very tasty. Like my dish, it also came with some superb crisp garlic bread and salad, so generous portions too. And equally lovely presentation. We had very little room for desserts, but they looked so good. For me, an apple, date and cinnamon crumble, with an almond and oat topping and custard; and for my partner, blackberry and sherry trifle, with fresh blackberries and homemade sponge in a sherry spiked jelly, custard and fresh cream. Both delicious and beautiful to look at — the perfect end to a truly memorable meal. It’s clear that The Walnut Tree knows their way around good veggie and vegan food, it’s created and presented with so much care, flair and attention to detail, using our fantastic local produce. And superb warm and friendly service, too, especially from our waiter Zak. A must for vegans and veggies, and even for those who just love really good food! Three-course dinner for two, including drinks - £59.55. The Walnut Tree, Norwich Road, Thwaite, Eye IP23 7ED. Open Wednesday to Saturday: 11am to 3.30pm and 5.30pm to 10pm, and Sunday: 12pm to 4.30pm. Tel: 01449 766003 W: thewalnuttreethwaite.com walnuttreethwaite
