Orange Rooms

Obviously we were not going to turn down this invitation! "Hello Ladies who Lunch, Orange Rooms invites you to experience the hot new eating trend, "grazing", to celebrate the launch of its NEW fresh and frisky Summer Menu. This unique dining experience allows you and your friends to taste an array of mini dishes from the new menu in a socially stimulating lunch time haven."

Upon arrival we received a great welcome from the staff and enjoyed a drink whilst studying the menu which promised an unusual eating experience. There were several other tables occupied, turns out everyone was invited, we were all given a report sheet to fill in with our comments for each dish. They obviously want honesty so they will get it from us! In the end we didn't actually order anything, taster sized portions just kept on arriving. Instead of reporting the cost per head we have noted how much the items are on the menu, sorry don't know about the puds, they were not on the menu.

We started with tasters from the SNACKS choices, three soups of the day £3.95 each - Royal Summer Minestrone, our least favourite, the Chilled Pea and Mint and the Sunshine (carrot), were both excellent. Next came a Breakfast Tortilla £4.50 - a lightly baked tortilla topped with rich chilli and tomato base topped with crisp pancetta, lime infused avocado, applewood cheddar, basil and an egg which is then baked. A good combination but the pancetta was quite salty for our tastes and we thought the base a bit soggy.

The next selection came from the SANDWICH choice - a Lemon Glazed King Prawn, Avocado and Melon in a Tortilla wrap £5.25 and a Toasted Ciabatta with a filling of Palma Ham, Applewood Cheddar and Red Onion Marmalade £5.50. Both very tasty.

From the PASTA DISHES we were given a taste of a Red Wine Tomato Based Spaghetti Bolognese with Parmesan Shavings £6.50, it just didn't taste quite right and therefore was our least favourite of the whole menu and sadly we found the Linguini of Wild Mushrooms in a White Wine Cream Sauce £5.95 a bit bland.

But it gets better, the SALAD choices were all very good, Feta, Chilli Walnuts and Herb £5.30, Pan Fried Black Tiger Prawns with Mixed Salad £5.95, and lastly Roasted Peppers Salad with Beetroot, Courgettes, Spinach and Roquefort £5.25. Our favourite was the feta one. For an additional £2.00 you can add chicken or beef strips or salmon fillet to your salad .

MAIN DISHES. There are 4 choices - lamb, chicken, salmon and monkfish. We were given to try the Salmon Fillet on a Chive and Dill Mash served with Pan Fried Asparagus and Fish Cream £8.50, and the Roasted Rump of Lamb on a Caramelised Onion Mash with Roasted Shallots, Glazed Carrots served with Red Wine Jus £8.50. Both delicious and for the price generous sized portions.

There is a daily Chef's Specials Board located on the bar. A free soft drink or a glass of juice to accompany your meal or a free coffee after, is the lunch time offer available on weekdays between 12 and 2. Several vegetarian choices are available and GM modified ingredients are not used in any of their dishes. When you ring to book just ask about the specials available at lunch time and early evening, this is going to be a new idea.

Our overall feeling was the dishes are good value for money and well presented. The ambiance is geared to a younger clientele with the type of music and the decor but, hey, us Ladies of a certain age can still enjoy!

A nice touch, we were given a little gift box at the end containing 4 chocolates and two little cakes so we ordered coffee to have with them. We had a couple of drinks each during the meal and although we offered to pay for them and the coffees the Manager said no so we had a thoroughly enjoyable lunch! Thank you very much to the Orange Rooms for their generosity. We recommend it for a casual and different lunching experience designed to fit into your lunch hour!