Willow Tree Reviews

My mum took my husband and me to the Willow Tree on a very warm Saturday evening in June. We love to eat in gorgeous restaurants like this, but have been disappointed by some in the past. Not this time though. With the doors to the outside seating area open, there was a cool breeze throughout the restaurant, making it an entirely more comfortable and somewhat delightful environment. The menus arrived - what a challenge. It was a process of elimination for each course and even then, we were each left with around 3 options on our shortlists! Then the food arrived. Well, some might think it poor form to share a fork-full of each others dishes, across the table, but when the foodie combinations and ingredients are as good as this, it would be just wrong to keep them to oneself. Between us, we've eaten a lot of scallops in our time - not like this though. It was sublime. The days when belly pork was considered peasant’s food are long over. This is fit for a king and queen. We went into the whole experience thinking we'd 'be good' and just go for starter-main course combination, but having experienced such savoury treats, and having had a quick peep at the pudding menu, so as not to be rude, we found ourselves wondering how the chef might plan to wrap up a perfect meal. Well, you go, and you'll see. Fantastic wine list, and a wonderful ingredients list, featuring lots of local suppliers - Willow Tree is a real hidden treat. I would normally rush to share news of our foodie experiences with friends and family, but worry about the risk of it being difficult to get back in on a Saturday evening, which is normally the only time we're 'back home' visiting family and friends. We rarely get so excited about a restaurant, but we're already looking forward to our return trips to the Willow Tree. Why bother with the larger chain restaurants - support your locals. Our first port of call will always be the Willow Tree from now on.

Sublime! The food, the service and the atmosphere are all superb, and at the price it's offered it's a steal. Simply put you cannot get better value in Taunton this side of a depression. I spend a lot of time eating out in London and a place like this would be £50-£60 a head for the food alone. For an objective approach it receives a 6 in the Good Food Guide, the same guide that gives Gordon Ramsay a 9 - no mean feat! I often hear this referred to as Taunton's best kept secret and I cannot understand why. It's simple fact that it should be known as Taunton's best loved restaurant. Honestly, I don't think words put justice to the Willow Tree. Give it a try and I cannot see how you'd be disappointed.

This is without doubt the best restaurant I've ever eaten in. The Willow Tree knocks spots off anything else in Taunton, and for miles around. We only found it a few months ago but we've been back in different sized groups about five times now and they have never failed to impress. The skill behind cooking is astounding - fantastic homemade breads, try the pumpkin seed and rosemary, and everything we had from the small but well balanced menu, from start to finish, was truly exquisite. The quality of the produce shines through - Gloucester Old Spot pork and Quantock venison direct from the farmers. They get their fish in daily for freshness and indeed, the fish delivery arrived after we did, at 7.30pm. You can't get fresher than that. My wife had scallops to start - she nearly cried, they were so good. I had a poached rhubarb and custard tartlet for pudding; it came with homemade lemon curd ice cream and was quite simply, perfection. The restaurant is cosy, intimate and full of character - an absolute delight. We loved the clever wine display in the inglenook fireplace. The service is very friendly and relaxed, but also cleverly attentive. We felt cared for but not fussed over. I really can't fault this restaurant - and three courses for £22.50 on Tuesday and Wednesday. What more could you possibly want?

This was an amazing find. It was very personable - a little like having dinner in someone's living room. The service was excellent and the food divine and we were pleasantly surprised at the bill. I think the only downside was that the tables were a little close together such that others conversations impinged on ours and music might have helped. I will definitely go for dinner again.

This is a fantastic restaurant in Taunton, which although not in the easiest location to find, is worth hunting down. The intimate and relaxed dining area is beautifully laid out within a Grade 11 listed building and the members of staff are knowledgeable and friendly, but the star of the show is the food. All the food is locally sourced and as soon as the starters arrived I knew my husband and I were in for a treat. My fricassee of mussels was amongst the best starters I have ever tasted and his cheese soufflé was equally impressive. We both plumped for the duck main course, which was beautifully cooked with succulent pieces of duck accompanied by an array of mouth watering vegetables. We regret that we never took advantage of the dessert but went straight for the four different cheese selections with Port. Again, the cheese was sourced and proved to be an excellent end to a beautiful experience. Please try this little gem out, you won't regret it.

Is this Taunton’s best-kept secret? I have lived within easy reach of Taunton for 11 years and while I have heard The Willow Tree mentioned occasionally - usually as being expensive – I dined there for the first time last night. It has been closed for over a month ‘for refurbishment’. Comparisons of restaurants, especially of those in this price category, are unavoidable (if not odious), and I will get my minor criticisms out of the way immediately. I hate supplemental charges for specific items on an otherwise inclusive menu and if I can see no logical reason for them I become increasingly irritated. Second, there is no way of avoiding this: the dining room is small, and the couple at the next table who perhaps were rather bored with each other, hung on our every word. But it is decorated tastefully and the crockery, cutlery and glasses were of good quality. The chairs (mine madly creaky - evidently not part of the refurbishment) are the correct height for the tables, an important point disregarded by at least two of The Willow Tree’s competitors.

Whenever service was required, one of the two enthusiastic, charming young English waiters, both of whom spoke clearly and fluently (yes, it’s true!), was on hand to provide it swiftly and elegantly. The food was, simply, quite splendid. My ‘fricassee of mussels with saffron sauce’ turned out to be a joy and a delightful surprise. But, nitpicking now, only three mussels? It came in the lightest of pastry cases, wearing a ‘hat’, and the saffron sauce was unquestionably one of Merlin’s mysteries - subtle, and quite perfect. The wild sea bass that followed was less so, but nevertheless extremely good and I enjoyed every morsel. It would have been relished enormously by the Chinese who created the dish that inspired our chef. This is definitely the way to cook ‘a winner’ (a big bass). In this case, for my taste, the soy was a little overpowering. The bass was a baby and consequently small, with fine, delicate flesh that required the lightness of touch shown in the saffron sauce previously. I begged a forkful of my companion’s pollack. It was just sensational - once again proving the point that less is more! The gratinee of pear with frangipane and rosemary ice cream was also extremely good. I was really disappointed that there was no espresso on offer. In a restaurant of this otherwise undeniably high quality this should not be too much to ask. After all, you can get a good espresso machine these days for less than £100. But regardless, we can’t wait to return!

I dined at the Willow Tree in February 2007 with two friends. To start I ate the seared Cornish scallops, served with creamed leeks and a chorizo dressing; having eaten scallops at the Willow Tree before, like the previous visit they were sweet, had a brilliant texture and were beautifully covered in a delightful golden brown. The creamed leeks added another dimension of texture, whilst the chorizo dressing somewhat gave the dish depth in flavour.

This was followed by confit of duck served with dauphinoise potatoes, Savoy cabbage and lardons. Having never eaten confit duck prior to this dining, my guests and I agreed that this was an excellent first experience of confit duck. The duck meat was moist and melted in my mouth; there was a superb contrast in texture between the duck meat and the crisp skin. The lardons gave the Savoy cabbage a distinctively delicate smoky flavour.

The desserts were beautifully presented; I ate the Pear tarte tatin with a glazed pear ice cream. Although in appearance the tarte tatin is not as glossy as its apple cousin, the taste was most definitely not compromised. However, I felt that the pear ice cream was quite bland and a lot of effort for such little taste.

Overall, the evening was superb and I would highly recommend the Willow Tree restaurant. The menu is well balanced, with the service being attentive, polite and efficient. Set within a picturesque building, the ambience is relaxed and comfortable.

I am very surprised, if not astonished, at the lack of a Michelin star!

Fantastic! How the Castle Hotel has a Michelin star and not the Willow Tree will never cease to amaze me!

This is a wonderful restaurant that aims for the highest standards in atmosphere and food. I couldn't fault it.

The Batt's Park Supper Club visited the Willow Tree on the 10th February. I have to take my hat off to the owners and their staff, the food was magnificent and superbly presented, the staff were very attentive, courteous and well turned out.

As a group of 8 we all thoroughly enjoyed our selection and agree that this is the best restaurant we have tried in Taunton and environs, including some much more expensive and well known. A big thanks to all concerned and well done.