We were warmly greeted and led to our table, where we chose some drinks and were also brought some nibbles of bread and olives whilst we decided on our dishes. The service was excellent all night, and each table was obviously experiencing the same level of attention throughout the restaurant. The bread and olives were a thoughtful touch. The warmed ciabatta was delicious and although I don't even like olives, I devoured the plump and juicy ones we were given - that's how good they were!
Drinks wise, I started the evening with a Bisongrass Cooler, comprising of vodka, apple liquor, passion fruit, apple and lime, as my brother opted for a London Pale Ale. My cocktail was fresh, fruity and a perfect light accompaniment to our food.
Now on to the starters - we chose the crispy calimari and the duck spring roll. Our waitress helpfully informed us that the calimari were served with the tentacles included, which we could choose not to have if we wished. As regular visitors to Greece, we were very happy to hear about the tentacles but it was very thoughtful to check with us before serving. The calimari were excellent - light and perfectly seasoned, as well as not at all chewy or greasy. The duck spring roll was also fantastic - the pastry was a real stand out, thin and crispy without a hint of sogginess. The two dips accompanying the dishes were well balanced and contributed to the sleek and elegant presentation.
Then it was time for the mains. As a huge steak lover, my brother chose the sirloin, cooked medium rare. I couldn't resist the appeal of the Wagyu burger as a more affordable way to taste this fantastic meat (if you don't know, Wagyu are the famous Japanese breed of cattle which are massaged and fed beer or sake to improve their taste). I decided to top it with smoked bacon and cheddar and both dishes were accompanied with home-cut chips. My brother also chose some crushed carrot and swede to accompany his steak, which was really tasty.
My burger was simply fantastic - the meat was as good as promised, providing the best burger meat I've ever tasted. The accompaniments within the bun were tried and tested favourites, allowing the meat to take centre stage. The chunky tomato relish accompanied the chips well and the entire dish was cooked to perfection. As for the steak? My brother proclaimed that it was the best he'd ever had, and from a steak-devouring rugby player, that's quite some recommendation!
We chose two more drinks - I chose the Bramley Apple Martini, which was tart and refreshing, and my brother opted for one of the special ales called the Thornbridge Kipling. It was impressive to see such a wide variety of beers and ales available on the menu. Personally as a wine and cocktail drinker, I always have plenty of choice when eating out, but beer drinkers can often be forgotten in such a setting. It was refreshing to see my brother offered a variety of choice, including some interesting ales he had never tried before.
For dessert, my brother chose the chocolate fudge cake which was pure gooey indulgence, just what you want from a chocolate dessert. I picked the Affogato because you really can't go wrong with ice-cream, coffee and Amaretto! It was a perfect end to a perfect meal. Finally I must mention the atmosphere, which was wonderful. The layout of the restaurant was clearly well thought out and I loved the huge fish tank which divided the restaurant and kitchen. We were also treated to some excellent live jazz, an excellent pianist and singer, who added to the welcoming yet luxurious atmosphere. I often find that live music, although lovely, can be far too loud in restaurants but in this case the volume was perfectly balanced to still allow conversation, yet provide an elegant background to our meal.
I couldn't recommend Blackhouse highly enough for a fantastic evening, full of wonderful food, a huge variety of drinks and an excellent atmosphere. I'm hoping to return there soon as it is perfect for a celebratory meal or simply an indulgent evening. Please let me know if you visit!
Jess
