AN EVENING AT RUSSELL'S OF BROADWAY

After hearing great things about Russell's of Broadway, a restaurant with rooms on the high street in one of the most popular Cotswold villages, we decided to see what all the fuss is about! 

The sign of a good restaurant is being full on an out of season Thursday evening. Russell's didn't have a single spare table.  

As soon as you enter the restaurant you are greeted with a relaxed atmosphere and a bar where you can browse the menu and enjoy a drink (or two) before being shown to your table. Choose from a fine selection of spirits ,including the very popular local Cotswold Distillery gin and Chase vodkas and a quality wine list with both new and old world wines very well represented and all available by the glass. 

A bowl of bread awaits you as you reach you table accompanied by butter and the most delicious, and slightly addictive, olive tapenade made with the usual anchovies and Cotswold Gold olive oil. The restaurant, split in to two rooms, is elegant and spacious with artwork from the neighboring Trinity House Gallery adorning the walls. Our starters soon followed and in a very unpretentious way looked like a work of art. After a very tough choice we finally opted for Rabbit - a Stuffed Loin, the most incredible Pressed Terrine, Red Pepper Puree and Potato Crisp and the highly recommended Hand Dived Scallops - Langoustine Boudin with Caremalised Turnip Puree.. a decision made harder with Wood Pigeon, local Buckland Tomatoes and a ballontine of cure trout all an option. 

If we thought that was a difficult decision the main course was even harder and slightly embarrassingly we opted for the same Lighthorne Lamb dish (all because the good lady didn't want to suffer from the highly contagious food envy virus!). Served as a 2 bone rack with braised shoulder, rosemary polenta, spinach, bread beans and peas the flavours packed into this dish were simply stunning. 

There is a bulk of fish options with Cornish Cod, Pan Fried Turbot and Whole Lemon Sole all available on the a la carte menu along side Tiddenham Farm Duck Breast, a fillet of 28 day dry aged Scotch beef and a two vegetarian choices. Due to "a lack of room" we decided to share the warm banana sponge dessert that was served with a delightfully sticky honeycomb and banana ice cream. 

The magic of this restaurant comes in various ways. The relaxed, charming service puts you at ease the moment you walk through the door. The frequently changing Prix Fixe menu offers a great value dining experience with one, two and three courses costing just £14, £18 and £22 respectively. The even mix of young and older folk generates a wonderful atmosphere and more than anything, and possibly the most important, the food that Head Chef Neil Clarke creates is just magnificent. 

Visit the Russell's Of Broadway website and book a table today - russellsofbroadway.co.uk