After checking in to our room (read a review of the accommodation at The Embankment Bedford by clicking here) we quickly made our way downstairs to sample Head Chef Christophe Perney’s Spring Menu.

The menu layout and the option to choose larger versions of some of the light dishes (as main courses) is very much a continuing theme through Peach pubs, but each Chef is allowed to have their own input on the food served. The menu may look the same, but many of the dishes will vary from pub to pub.

Food

It’s only fair that we point out that if you wish to eat at The Embankment Bedford, you should book – every table we saw was taken.

My partner started with the herb pancakes, spinach, pine nut and ricotta stuffing, tomato sauce with ham (£5.75). This was actually just one pancake – a large one that looked rather lonely and lost on the plate. This was incredibly flavoursome with all the ingredients combining beautifully. This was certainly a dish that made us go “wow!” My choice was the grilled sardines, toasted bruchetta and tapendade £6.00. The tapenade (pureed black olives) made the bruchetta a little soggy and whilst something like this proved a pleasant contrast to the dry sardines, I felt this was a case of when a bruchetta is no longer a bruchetta. Satisfactory, but not brilliant was my remark on finishing this starter.

If my partner was delighted with her starter, she was even more pleased when her choice of grilled marinated monkfish, sweet potato and chilli stew (£16.50) arrived. Served like artwork on a plate with wonderful aromas, this tasted brilliant. The monkfish was perfectly cooked. The sweet potato had a real kick to it and for those who do not like spicy food, they might want to avoid this dish which I also sampled. My thoughts? Brilliant!

I predictably opted for the honey & rosemary duck confit (pink), flagelot beans, chorizo dumpling £13.00. This was not a picture of presentation – but it was incredibly tasty and very moreish. The duck was cooked just right and the beans were easy to digest and not dry at all.

We finished by sharing the white and dark chocolate mousse £5. Unless you’re a chocoholic, you would struggle to finish this dessert. Very thick, and rich, it left bubbles in the mouth as you took each mouthful. This was a delicious dessert - a great finish to our meal.

Atmosphere

Just like the food, The Embankment rocks! A superb place to eat out - the bar was simply buzzing and so was the restaurant, (if only ever so slightly more subdued than the bar area). This is a place to dress up, go out and be seen in Bedford.

Décor

Gordon Ramsay once said that food should be served within 15 minutes or people will sit there and find holes in the décor. You could sit here all day and not find one hole! Impeccably decorated, this is a stunning restaurant with real wood floors, gorgeous gilded mirrors and striking fireplaces. Although a large room, it is still warm and inviting.

Service

As usual with Peach Pubs, their staff are well trained and it was noticeable that although the staff were very busy, care and individual attention was given to every table.