Rossini - Restaurant Review
A last minute decision to take dinner out on Sally's xxth birthday posed
the usual problem of where to go. A quick look at the Yellow Pages highlighted
Rossini, a trendy Italian in Wendover
High Street, and to my surprise they came up with a table for two on a Saturday
night. But then if they hadn't I wouldn't be writing this review!
The restaurant is a converted oak-beam pub that contains a number of interlinked
medium sized rooms, including a comfortable sitting area for pre-dinner drinks.
Our table sat nicely in an alcove
overlooking the High Street. Lively music contributed to the vibrant atmosphere.
Sally's eyes alighted immediately on the dessert menu - a mistake as she decided
that she would have to decline a starter. Undeterred, I selected an excellent
seafood salad. This comprised a mixture of prawns, calamari, clams and shellfish
dressed in oil on a bed of
salad. No sign of the ubiquitous pink cocktail sauce here. There were around
a dozen starters to choose from including some interesting looking pasta dishes.
The main courses posed further selection problems. These included such
dishes as Tournados Rossini, Pepper steak, Aylesbury duck, scampi flambed
in pernod as well as fish
alternatives. In the event I chose rack of lamb, which was cooked in a delicious
wine, ham and mushroom sauce, whilst Sally selected venison, cooked in a myrtleberry
sauce. Sally
declared the venison to be the most tender she had ever tasted. Both dishes
were accompanied by a selection of fresh vegetables that were nicely cooked.
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I surveyed the extensive wine list, which was not confined
to the usual Italian culprits, but included an extensive selection of wines
from elsewhere. In the event I chose a mellow Spanish Rioja that complemented
our meals well. When it came to dessert, I selected a light Raspberry and
Mascapone cheesecake, whilst Sally went for a Chocolate Souffle.
To sum up, even though the restaurant was busy - always a good sign -
service was excellent. The food was freshly prepared and all the dishes
carefully presented. The bill worked out at around £50 for two excluding
wine and tips. In short, good value for a full service restaurant meal
and we will certainly return. |