A visit t Stoclton Heath’s latest dining destination.
I had my first date with my husband at Pizza Express in Stockton Heath back in 2003, so it seemed fitting that we visited The Terrace Bistro around the time of our wedding anniversary.
Opened in spring 2019 by Marc Smith, it's a thriving place, all quilted dark blue velvet banquet booths, on-trend lighting and a calm and friendly ambience. Marc has been a hotelier for more than 28 years and has a passion for fine food, wine and great service, while Executive Head Chef, Phil Daley, has worked at award-winning Panoramic 34 in Liverpool.
A still-warm mini white bloomer with tarragon and shallot butter and an equally delicious feta and rosemary roll served as a light amuse bouche ahead of the starters. Next, a mackerel tartare, presented in a sweetcorn puree, had hints of tarragon and mustard seeds that complemented an apple and radish salad. My husband had the pork confit, the meat tender and shredded almost like pulled pork, with smoked aubergine baby onion, yoghurt and nasturtium.
For mains, I had pan-fried turbot with curried clams and wilted spinach with a confit potato. The flavours were refined and more-ish, a perfectly spiced curry. My husband chose Dexter beef, cooked medium, with roasted heritage carrots pulled from the ground that morning. It came with a mushroom puree, pickled mushroom and a potato and caramelised onion terrine. He graciously allowed me a taste and it was sublime.
Dessert was a cherry Bakewell tart with three plump cherry espuma and mascarpone ice-cream, while a banana cheesecake on a digestive biscuit base with caramelised banana was creamily light. Marc explained the chef had experimented with a ginger biscuit base, but banana won the fight. This moment epitomises why I like The Terrace so much. The owner listens and acts on feedback and the menu is constantly evolving. It means you want to go back and see what's on offer next.
Starters on the a la carte menu start from £7; mains from £15 and desserts around £7-8 per person, excluding wine.
Terrace Bistro, 49 London Road, Stockton Heath, WA4 6SG | 01925 738 902 | terracebistro.co.uk
