For my wife`s birthday I wanted to take her out for a special meal. I had been told by many people that The Grey Goose at Gilmorton was a highly rated restaurant so one lunchtime we set out to make the seventeen mile drive into Leicestershire.
The Grey Goose is situated on the southern outskirts of the village of Gilmorton, a village about 3 miles (5 km) north east of Lutterworth in Leicestershire, England. The village has a population of just over a thousand and has two other pubs, The Crown Inn and The Red Lion.
The Church of All Saints, which is a Grade II listed building, has a 15th-century tower which was rebuilt along with the spire in 1909. The nave, aisles and chancel and south porch were all built in the late 19th century. The village has a number of interesting buildings, including several Tudor Houses, a modern primary school, a very pleasant Village Store and the old three storey Clayton, Willey Grocer store, now converted into offices.
The Grey Goose is a smart, clean building with a modern appearance which was extended and given a major £2million refurbishment almost seven years ago. A large extension to the small car park was being constructed to the rear of the building when we visited to cater for the increasingly large number of visitors to this popular village restaurant.
The Grey Goose offers a contemporary and modern environment for both dining and drinking. We had a drink before our meal at the long bar in front of the open fireplace just inside the main entrance. There is also a smart outdoor dining area with slate grey decking furniture and white wall washes at the back and side of the building, ideal for those long summer evenings.
The menu has a wide selection of tasteful, authentic and stylish dishes which use carefully chosen fresh ingredients and local produce whenever possible. The menus change regularly so that the chefs can provide an innovative, refreshing and stimulating selection of dishes. The main dining area is situated in a large contemporary setting with modern chic furniture and fittings. The `Grey Goose` triptych was particularly striking.
The extensive wine list and wide range of bottled and draught beers provide a comprehensive assortment of liquid refreshments to accompany the meals.
There is a very popular early bird menu but we decided to select our food from the more extensive and varied A La Carte menu. On the day we visited the restaurant was half full of diners.
Starter: Bread, butter and olive oil. We both resisted having a starter so that we could enjoy a dessert after the main course. Sometimes I find a three course meal with drinks quite filling, especially at lunch time. The waitress served us each a complimentary taster of the soup of the day – Cream of Brocolli, which went down nicely with our bread, butter and olive oil dip.
Homemade soup of the day: Cream of Broccoli served in delicate small cups – nice touch and appreciated. Free
Main Courses:
Slow Cooked Pork Belly – Seared King Scallops, creamy mash, Clonakilty black pudding Fine green beans and Apple Gel and Stock Rich Jus £16.95
The Pork belly was beautifully cooked, just as it should be, with the moist meat pulling away easily with a fork and a small crunchy piece of crackling on top. A couple of thinly sliced Clonakilty black pudding pieces gently fried was the perfect accompaniment with the scallops and green beans. I could have eaten more of the black pudding but the creamy mash sitting in the rich apple and stock jus was simply delicious. A classic dish – full of quality and superb flavour!
Pan Fried Beef Medallions: Creamy mash, Sautéed Spinach, Wild Mushrooms, Crispy Oyster and stock Jus £18.95
Who can resist beef fillet medallions served with a creamy mash, tasty wild mushrooms and a mound of sautéed spinach to mop up the juices from the crispy oyster sauce? My wife savoured every mouthful and was full of compliments for the chef, who had produced this wonderful plate of food.
Both dishes were beautifully presented and looked perfect on the classic white plates. We rested a while and appreciated the moment before we were able to carry on and enjoy the sweet course.
Warm Chocolate Brownie: Chocolate sauce & black and cherry Ice cream £5.95
Warm, soothing chocolate brownies covered in thin slices of dried strawberries and cherries. Combine those with a generous scoop of black and cherry ice cream and you produce a little bit of heaven. Worth every one of the seventeen miles we drove to enjoy it!
Rosewater & Vanilla Crème Brulee £5.95
My wife loves this iconic French dessert. She described how she enjoyed breaking the thin crisp layer of caramelized sugar to sample the smooth velvety custard beneath. This was a wonderful Brûlée flavoured with Rosewater and Vanilla. She said it was delicious taking it up to a whole new level of perfection.
Drinks:
House Wine: Casablanca Albania Tempranillo – Shirakawa Valdepenas Spanish Shiraz
A simple light red wine perfect on its own or with food £5.70 (250ml) or £14.95 bottle
Sharps Doombar
Having spent a lot of time in Padstow, Cornwall, I was very pleased to see one of my favourite beers available on draught. I just love the enticing delicate aroma of hops and sweet roasted malts. Doombar has a balanced but complex blend of succulent dried fruit, lightly roasted malt and a subtle yet assertive bitterness. The finish is dry and refreshing, just as I like it!
Final bill: £61.55 including two courses from the A La Carte menu. One large glass of wine and 1 1/2pint Doombar draught beer
My wife and I really enjoyed her birthday visit to The Grey Goose so we are already planning to visit again sometime in the Spring or Summer as we would like to sit outside on the open terrace, soaking up the sun and enjoying another wonderful meal.
The early bird menu is served Monday – Friday Lunch 12 – 2pm and Tuesday to Friday Evening 6-7pm. Two Courses £13.95 / Three Courses £15.95
A popular carvery is also available on Sundays alongside a more limited A La Carte menu.
Jim Davis
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The Grey Goose, Lutterworth Road, Gilmorton, Leicestershire, LE17 5PN
Value for money: Good
Food: Top class, tasty and beautifully presented.
Service: Efficient, friendly and unobtrusive.
Parking: Small car park left of the pub but a much bigger car park being built at the back (Feb. 2016)
Address: The Grey Goose Lutterworth Road, Gilmorton, Lutterworth, Leicestershire, LE17 5PN
Telephone: 01455 552555
Email: manager@greygoosegilmorton.co.uk
Twitter: @greygooseleic
Facebook: greygoosegilmorton
Grading: 9/10
Total Cost: £61.55
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