Moddershall Oaks' Lakeside Restaurant is a greatl addition to the relaxing spa. We went along to sample the new summer menu...
Moddershall Oaks is nestled in the beautiful Staffordshire countryside between Stoke-on-Trent and Stafford. We were invited to try out its brand new summer menu at the Lakeside restaurant, so we headed along on a sunny, Sunday afternoon to do just that.
The restaurant overlooks a small lake and garden area; its contemporary design is simple but elegant, with nods to its country setting with rustic wooden floors, dining tables and chairs.
This is a busy spa hotel and a popular wedding venue, so you can expect to be seated with a few fellow diners in fuzzy bathrobes and slippers, as well as mingling with a wedding guest or two. During our visit I had a view of the garden and I could see a wedding happening beyond the trellis overlooking the beautiful lake. This is absolutely fine if you’re staying here for a spa treatment and enjoying a meal as part of your package, but if you’re after more of a luxury fine dining experience, we would recommend booking a table during the evening.
However, this doesn’t deter from the quality of the menu, which is excellent. The food was exactly what I would expect and really was a gastronomical treat. I began with the soup of the day, carrot and ginger, which arrived with a poppy seed bun and was warm, thick and flavoursome. For the main event I had wild mushroom tagliatelle with gorgonzola cream sauce and shallots; this meal was very cheesy but then I’m a cheese fiend, so I loved it. The pasta was cooked to perfection and the meal was satisfyingly filling.
My husband went a bit brisket mad and ordered the slow cooked brisket filo rolls, which were like large spring rolls with red cabbage, chilli and coriander remoulade.
He said the filo pastry was nice and crispy and not limp or wet and the brisket was tender and bursting with flavour. It was a good job it was because he had the slow cooked brisket with polenta fondant for his main meal as well, which he very much enjoyed! But he did say the polenta tasted a bit out of place on the plate.
However, polenta isn’t something you eat every day so maybe it was just because it was something different to his usual diet of sausage and mash!
If you are planning to stay at Moddershall Oaks for a short break or a wedding, the quality restaurant is well worth a visit for an added treat on an indulgent weekend.
