The breakfast choices were given to us pretty much as soon as we arrived, while relaxing with a cup of tea in the garden room. There was a list divided into categories, where you could choose one item from each section - juices, smoothies, hot drinks, dairy, protein etc... There were things you would never be bothered to make for yourself for breakfast - such as smoked salmon crostini, warm emmenthal and tomato wrap, maple syrup porridge with berry compote, granola parfait, pots of fruit tea, fruit salad... you get the idea!
The lunch, eaten in your robe in fabulous wood-panelled and chandeliered surroundings, took the form of starter and dessert served to your table, and a buffet style main course where you could eat as much as you liked. Examples of starters: chicken and pork roulade with vegetable marmalade; caramelised onion and stilton tart; and pea soup. The buffet main course was nothing short of truly magnificent. There were olives, salads, cold meat and fish, hot dishes and all manner of side dishes. Here follows but a small part of what was on offer. Lemon and lime chicken. Sliced cold belly of pork with beetroot and horseradish puree. Marinated tofu - the best tofu ever - it can be quite hard to make tofu taste of anything at all but this was so delicious that I had three helpings. Harissa marinated salmon. Baby roast potatoes. Hot roast beef and little Yorkshire puds. Thai chicken curry. Potato salad. Hot piri piri chicken. Seared tuna.
Dessert choices included lemon meringue pie, rhubarb crumble with crème anglaise served separately in a little jug on the side, and a silky vanilla panna cotta with chocolate decoration and a raspberry on top. It was also perfectly acceptable to have wine at lunchtime, provided you were not mad enough to want to be exercising in the afternoon. There is a limit of one bottle of wine per person! It was so decadent to be drinking pink fizz in your dressing gown in the middle of the day.
The dinners were similar to the lunches with the exception of the main course being served to your table and not buffet style. We tended to get dressed for dinner, although it was fine to still be in your robe if you wanted. Starters such as breasola with fig compote and salad; roast asparagus; and lentil soup went down a treat. Mains on offer included fillet of beef; mackerel with pea shoots; and bream with caper sauce. Sides to accompany were shared between the four of us on the table so we could have some of everything. Diced potato with tomato, mange tout, rocket and cucumber salad with yogurt dressing; couscous.
Desserts were similar to those at lunch time, small portion sizes but that was just what you wanted - a rich chocolate brownie with ice cream; mint crème brulee with chocolate biscotti; or a cheese platter.
After dinner the chef sometimes came out to talk to you and he was happy to accept constructive criticism (such as the crème brulee didn't have a crunchy enough topping).
At the end of the meal a hot drink was served in the lounge, verandah bar or garden room, and I usually had peppermint tea for the digestion!
A fair bit of champagne and chocolate was consumed too over the course of the weekend, and the post spa break glow lasted a very long time. As did the pedicures.
Thank you for reading.
Caroline :-)
