Town House Restaurant & Bar, The

The Town House is a delightful and sophisticated venue, a place where people of good taste can relax and enjoy some of the better things of life, appreciating the mix of good food and a selection of well chosen wines and champagnes to accompany it.

The owners say, 'We have a passion for hospitality, and the desire to deliver great food in a relaxing environment'. Few would dispute that they succeed admirably. This is very much due to Head Chef Rob Wear, whose taster menu is one of the features of The Town House where guests can sample a selection of his signature dishes spread over five or six courses.

The summer à la carte yields a number of starters to include potted crab and shrimp with cucumber spaghetti and brown bread, a classic Caesar salad, goose liver parfait with Malibu jelly and passion fruit foam, or half a dozen Colchester rock oysters, raspberry and shallot vinegar.

Dishes that can be adapted for starters or main courses include tiger prawns in shell with aioli, or Scottish salmon fishcakes with sorrel sauce and crispy spring cabbage.

Main courses number around eight or so, covering a good range of dishes that will appeal widely, starting with salmon poached in red wine, pea puree and young spinach. The Town House steak burger is served with gruyere cheese, onions rings and hand cut chips, while herb crusted lamb rump comes with lamb consommé and baby vegetables

Those looking for a slightly more global taste might find the Thai fish curry with prawns and jasmine rice to be an interesting addition to their lunch or dinner menu. Another firm favourite amongst the many regulars would be the 12oz sirloin steak on the bone or an 8oz rib eye steak.

Puddings are as tempting as ever, with chocolate brownie, mini toffee apples and vanilla ice cream, which simply ensure any thought of a diet is seriously banished! There's also saffron and raspberry chocolate truffles or caramelised lemon tart which tantalise and satisfy every palate.

The mange vite menu is your answer to a quick bite before the theatre, cinema or visit to the NEC, with three choices on each of three courses that could embrace a white onion and cider soup with blue cheese crouton, the house beef burger, and strawberry cheesecake to finish. Have lunch there and you can leave your car in safety whilst you shop in Mell Square or Touchwood.

A broad-church wine list is well supported by a range of new cocktails and some of the more exotic draught beers. The Town House benefits from a fabulously appointed Private Dining Room, which is suitable for any family celebration or occasion and is also used for corporate hospitality, meetings, cocktail parties, product launches, etc. There is also a comprehensive event guide to include a variety of programmes.

Be sure to check on their excellent Website for menu variations and details of events.