Food & Drink 5
Service 4
Atmosphere 3
Value 5
Went to Norwich for an event and decided to dine in Lavender House one cold evening. The entrance is nothing spectacular and the lighting was not flattering. We received warm welcome and given the menu with our drinks but we had order in the reception area, before going to the table, an idea which I was not too keen about. However the complimentary canapes were very good so I was optimistic about the food. Once we move to the table we received food quiet quickly, The food was excellent, every single course plus the in between complimentary ones. Service was good throughout. Somehow the ambience lacked but I guess I am used to London atmosphere and the country side is different.
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5
Really love this place. From the moment you walk in you feel looked after- the staff are attentive, and well mannered. The food is always of the highest standard, and i have always felt it has been great value for money. On the last time i came i had sheringham lobster, followed by Barnards beef fillet, and both dishes blew me away! i couldnt find fault, in the presentation, or taste, the dishes where as close to perfect as i couuld have asked.
This restaurant is a real gem in the heart of norfolk, and i would urge you to check it out if you have the oppertunity! You wont be dissapointed!!
Food & Drink 3.5
Service 3.5
Atmosphere 4
Value 3
This is a very accomplished restaurant but over priced for what it delivers. My husband and I had the tasting menu at £58pp. Can't fault the presentation, the quality of the ingredients or the cooking but it lacked an extra something. Every dish was nice, nothing was exceptional or really delicious. The only thing I can put my finger on is that it just lacked that extra bit of flavour that makes you say to your dining partner ‘wow, this is lovely’. At a slightly lower price I would probably be raving about it but this is premium pricing and it wasn't exceptional. I can see why they don't have the Michelin star they clearly aspire to.
Despite this my only real complaint about what was a very nice evening was that the delays between courses were too long which did get annoying and meant a very late night.
Charlotte C
24 February 2009
Food & Drink 4.5
Service 4
Atmosphere 4.5
Value 4.5
I was taken for my first date at the Lavender House with my current boyfriend. On arrival we were greeted by a friendly pair working the bar. After sitting down at our table and ordering our food we relaxed down to an extremely wonderfuk evening. To keep it short and sweet our food was sublime, keep an eye out for the fillet of barnards beef, it will melt in your mouth and smoked potato puree, dreamy!!! Oh and the salt cod brandade, it left my mouth watering for more!!! As we left Richard Hughes the owner showed us round the kitchen and its opitz table. That is gonna definaltely be a further booking later on in the future, but maybe with a group of the girls for a friday nite out, especially after meeting the head chef and his team! 18/02/09