Thirty Nine Steps

A return visit to this well-loved restaurant for dinner on what we hope will be a lovely Summer evening. There was a change of ownership in 2006 and John Rebecchi now presides. The cuisine is British with a hint of the Med. Please note that a maximum of 40 can be accommodated at this event.

REPORT

We were lucky to have a sunny evening for our visit to The 39 Steps at Styal, Cheshire, so the glass of Prosecco (Zellina Prosecco Extra Brut, Italy) was just the right choice for our aperitif. Cool and delicious, and a good start to the evening. When we sat down to our first course of British asparagus with a soft-poached egg and hollandaise sauce, we were all amazed that the kitchen could produce so many perfectly poached eggs at the same time! The asparagus was at it's best, and the right time of the year to have it.

The main course was grilled breast of Goosnargh duck (served pink), with an ox tongue croquet and a redcurrant and marsala reduction. The crunchiness of the croquet was very good with the duck, and the reduction had a beautiful flavour. A Croze Hermitage, Les Meysonniers Chapoutier 2009 couldn't have been better chosen. Altogether a tasty and satisfying combination.

The Assiette of desserts was also a credit to the kitchen, as a hot mini raspberry and passion fruit soufflė was piping hot, the brownie was crunchy, and a mini apple pie with the vanilla ice cream cooled it down tea or coffee finished off a very enjoyable meal. 

Valerie Hall                                                                                                    

28.06.2013