As a birthday treat my friend and I decided to go out for a good meal, wine and chatter.
Rococo, in Butchers Row, Shrewsbury, is celebrating its first birthday this month and we went along to the bar, brasserie and restaurant to pass on our congratulations.
As we arrived we were greeted with smiles from friendly staff who handed us menus with choices for both meat-eaters and vegetarians.
For starters my friend ordered the mezze platter with marinated feta cheese, mixed olives, tabbhouleh, hummus and tzatziki, served with crusty bread (£6.25).
I went for the homemade soup of the day – tomato with crusty bread (£4.95).
When the orders arrived we were amazed by the size of them which were easily large enough to pass as main courses.
My friend’s platter was delicately laid out and she found the taste satisfying and enjoyable.
My soup was smooth and creamy, the tomato taste was just right and I soon reached the bottom of the bowl with the help of accompanying fresh white bread.
For the main course, the Shropshire pork cutlet appealed to us both. This was served with pomme purée, wild mushroom ragout and a pork reduction (£10.95).
The size of the dish was plentiful and delightfully arranged. The pork, which was cooked so well it almost melted in the mouth, sat upon a generous portion of buttery mashed potato draped in a tomato and mushroom ragout.
The dish came with a side portion of mixed vegetables including baby sweet corn, carrots and mangetout. We also ordered a side dish of chunky chips (£2) as we couldn’t resist.
And of course, what is the point of eating out if you can’t have a pudding?
As the dessert menu was presented to us we were both drawn to the orange and grand marnier bread and butter pudding with vanilla crème Anglaise (£5.25).
The dessert was warm and unexpectedly light with the added bonus of a strawberry on top. The layers were mixed with a buttery flavour and an obvious hint of orange. The dessert was placed in a pool of cream dotted with vanilla pods. It was, as my friend described it, ‘yummy’.
Happily leaving the restaurant with full bellies we were satisfied that we had truly celebrated Rococo’s first birthday.
By Chrissy Symmons - North Shropshire Chronicle reporter
