"Nice but could do better"

A review of Brook Cottage by Robert hipperson written on Friday 13th of May 2011

I have eaten a few times here before in the past but have not been there for 5-6 years, I was pleased to see that it was still owned by the same people with same chef (owner I think).

There is an ample car park to the front of the property and entering inside it is instantly warm and inviting. There is a small bar and comfy chairs in the bar area and in a large conservatory. There is also outside seating should weather allow.

The menu is shown up on a chalk board on the wall and it content is quite limited which to my mind is not always a bad thing. In short there was the usual - meat/fish/vegetable courses and all looked appealing.

I plumped for the scallops to start followed by a rib eye steak (no sizes shown on board) and my lady went with the pate and lobster, both main dishes were £19.95 which I thought was quite expensive for a steak.

The dining area is nicely laid out,comfortable and clean.

The pate was tasty and well presented and the scallop were nicely cooked but slightly gritty which would put some folk off. They were served on a bed of rocket with some balsamic vinegar drizzled over - not to exciting to be honest,also the bread rolls were cold and slightly stale I thought - I was quite disappointed.

The main courses - the lobster was nice but not large and my rib eye steak was nicely cooked but drenched in pink peppercorn sauce which did nothing for the dishes looks. The vegetables- cauliflower, broccoli,carrots and boiled potatoes (I had fries with the steak)were far from exciting but were hot and nicely cooked but the fries although hot looked as they had been shown the hot fat and they had paled through fright ( had better at MC Donald's to be honest and more!)

The desert menu is limited and I went for the creme brulee and the lady a mango cake thingy in cream. Again I was disappointed with mine - fairly bog standard with no trimmings of any kind and the mango thingy wasn't a lot better.

Beverages - well the tea was laughable - in fact it was paler than my chips !! but they did offer to change it, my coffee was ok.

I had chosen a bottle of red wine which nice enough but pricey for something so new ( go for the carafe it's better value)£15.95 for the bottle.

I wouldn't say that the food was bad or poor in fact it was tasty but it lacked in excitement - didn't seem to be any pride in the art of cookery, I'm sure the chef is able to produce better - he could just be bored and needs a new challenge.

In general it was pricey for what it was,although it was obviously freshly cooked so congratulations for that but a few pence off of £90.00 for two ..... .

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