For years and years, I have longed to visit Roger Hickman’s Restaurant on Upper St Giles Street in Norwich, but I never quite managed get there.
So when I was invited for dinner there last week, I was utterly thrilled by the prospect. It was such a thoughtful gesture and I couldn’t wait to go.
It was the perfect occasion for dressing up and indulging, so I put on my favourite frock and met my dining companion for a wonderful evening.
After being greeted at the door, we were shown to a table for two in the corner and offered water while we decided on a wine and food. With flowers and a candle on the table, it was a beautiful setting for enjoying conversation and each other’s company for a couple of hours.
Perfect combinations
After selecting our meals, we were presented with an appetiser of truffle risotto, which was so richly flavoured and delicious that I would have been happy to have eaten it for the rest of the week!
But that was before my starter arrived. I had selected the scallops with avocado purée, pickled radish and lemongrass and was very pleased with my choice. The scallops were perfectly cooked and melted in the mouth, while the sharpness of the radish cut through the creamy avocado. The balance of flavours and texture was perfect.
As a lover of fish, I’d selected the monkfish for my main and it was incredible. Partnered with aubergine caviar, white beans and anchovy, it was utterly delicious. The aubergine had such depth of flavour, which was the ideal partner for the meaty white fish and the salty anchovies. I didn’t want it to end. And although my companion’s belly of pork tasted utterly amazing, I didn’t suffer with food envy for once.
The perfect finish
After a breather, we decided to share a dessert. I couldn’t really fit one in, but it would have been rude not to. The chocolate fondant with peanut butter mousse sounded irresistible. So after a palate cleanser with amazing ginger beer foam, we were presented with dessert. I wasn’t at all hungry, but I couldn’t stop; the chocolate fondant was so rich and the peanut butter mousse so more-ish but I couldn’t leave it alone.
The meal was beautifully presented and passed at the perfect pace, with attentive service that wasn’t at all pushy. I can’t say that I remember what it all came to, but it was worth it for the experience alone. It was the ideal night out and utterly amazing.
If you want to check out the menu, you can visit the website.
