 This restaurant review was
undertaken on October 16, 2009
There are some
fine restaurants in Milton Keynes but there is a dearth of very
good Italians in the area. The re-opening of Al Tamborista in
Stony Stratford however, goes a long way to filling that void.
Decor
It
would be difficult to find a better looking establishment than
this. It is incredibly inviting with its oak panelled walls and
immaculately set tables. For those of you who might want to give
this restaurant a try but will need to drive, why not make a
night of it and stay in their hotel? The stone façade to Hotel
Different Drummer has not changed since 1743 and through a cute
side door you will find Al Tamborista.
Food
My guest
started with the Anatra fois gras – fois gras with caramelised
apple and brioche. This was a lovely introduction to food at Al
Tamborista. The fois gras had a powerful flavour and its buttery
texture sat particularly nicely alongside the apple and crisp
brioche.
I opted for
the Pettini con citronella – scallops with lemon grass, ginger
and garlic. The scallops are sliced and placed in a line along
one side of the plate to create a pretty looking dish. The
scallops were perfectly cooked and the lemon and ginger make
this a fresh and vibrant starter.
For mains I
ordered the prosciutto sposatto pollo – chicken breast wrapped
in prosciutto with herb roast potatoes, vegetables and red wine
sauce. The prosciutto and chicken are a combination made in
heaven and I enjoyed what was a tasty and filling main course.
The portions at Al Tamborista are generous and you are
guaranteed not to leave this establishment feeling hungry!
My
partner chose the stinco di agnello - lamb shank with a tuscan
red wine sauce, roasted vegetables and herb roast potatoes. What
makes this dish is the roasted vegetables alongside the lamb and
the Tuscan red wine sauce proved a wonderful side-kick.
The crème
brulee of the day is definitely a must try at Al Tamborista.
This version had a hint of grapefruit. Simply delightful, this
was an excellent crème brulee with a surprising twist.
Service
Alongside the
excellent food you will find a service to match. The staff are
very friendly and welcoming. They helped us to feel at ease and
we never once felt rushed.
Atmosphere
This
restaurant has a real charming feel to it which makes you feel
relaxed as soon as you walk through the door. The quiet
classical music was in-keeping with the relaxed nature of our
dining experience. There was a mixture of diners, from a small
group who were celebrating a birthday in style to couples out
for a romantic evening. |
