Wirral Globe Taste Test
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The following review of our Oak Tree Restaurant appeared in the Dining Out section of the Wirral Globe in August 2010...
It is always a special pleasure to dine at the Oak Tree restaurant at the Grove House Hotel.
It has been one of our preferred restaurants since we first visited many years ago, and has displayed the same high standards on each and every occasion we have visited.
Our latest visit saw us arrive at a packed restaurant, which was particularly impressive in the current climate, especially on a Monday evening.
The situation proved beneficial in a couple of ways, firstly by allowing us to relax and enjoy a leisurely aperitif in the stylish cocktail lounge, where we perused the extensive menus from the comfort of chunky leather settees.
And secondly because it presented us the opportunity - and time - to explore the other facets of this well run establishment, with a cheeky peek at some of the hotel rooms and its function suite.
The Grove House has a fine reputation as an independent hotel and is widely regarded as one of the best small wedding specialists in Wirral.
The hotel rooms are well appointed, sizeable, many with new bathrooms and other architectural features that add interest and character. One of the attic rooms was particularly picturesque, with its sloping ceiling and picture window overlooking the hotel's perfectly maintained grounds.
The Grove House gardens are utilised to great effect by wedding parties and have formed a fantastic backdrop to a great many wedding albums over the years; while the air conditioned function suite was picture perfect, being already prepared for a wedding that Wednesday.
After a highly informative tour, we returned to the restaurant, where a pristine table awaited alongside a choice of warm bread roll and butter or melba toast, to accompany our starters.
My choice of oven-baked portobello mushroom with melted roquefort cheese and wilted spinach, atop a garlic ciabatta, was sensational, sizeable and full-flavoured, while my
wife's choice of grilled mackerel, potato and rocket salad with beetroot sauce was subtle and delicately flavoured.
My main course of pan-fried pork fillet wrapped in bacon and served with Bury black pudding, Carr Farm Toulouse sausage and redcurrant sauce was magnificent and came accompanied by seasonal vegetables, sauteed potatoes and ratatouille.
My wife chose grilled cod fillet with a butterbean and asparagus risotto, which was expertly prepared and artistically presented.
As ever, the food at the Oak Tree was exemplary and was made all the more enjoyable by the remarkably low price of £13.50 for two courses. The offer is available all night on Mondays and until 7pm on Tuesday to Friday.
The Oak Tree is renowned for its dessert trolley, which is laden with an irresistible array of the most tempting puddings. £4.50 will secure a generous portion of anything from meringues stuffed with cream and fruit, sherry trifle, cheesecake, fruit salad, chocolate torte or, in our case, creme brule and banoffee pie.
The Oak Tree is a wonderful restaurant. Visit any time - you will not be disappointed!!
Barry Bragg, Wirral Globe
August 2010