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Willow Tree Summary
- Address: 3 Tower Lane, Off Tower Street, Taunton, TA1 4AR (Map)
- Tel: +44 (0)844 567 2391
- E-mail: Click here to contact
- Website: N/A
- Gallery: View more images
- Cuisine(s): Modern British
- Opening Times:
Tue - Sat (closed January and August): 18:30 - 21:30 - Avg Price: £38.00
(Avg Price is the average cost per person for a full meal, drinks/wine and service/tip.)
Willow Tree Description
The Willow Tree was opened in September 2002 by ex-Roux Brothers Head Chef, Darren Sherlock and his partner Rita Rambellas; set in a charming 17th century Grade II Listed building with its cosy inglenook fireplace and delightful waterside terrace, The Willow Tree has proved to be an excellent choice for dinner, whatever the occasion.
The food is outstanding - a brief glance at the superb reviews on Restaurant Guide will confirm this - and the service has the perfect balance of professionalism and genuine friendliness. From a regularly changing menu a terrine of slow-cooked duck and Savoy cabbage with a fig and chervil dressing establishes at once a tone of masterly confidence that gives early auguries of the pleasures to come.
Vegetarians will find a Montgomery cheddar soufflé with a walnut and cream celery sauce, all flavours correctly balanced. A tian of ox-tongue with char-grilled aubergine and potato, onion confit and a baby chard salad introduces a note of individuality, as well as, by implication, a co-operative butcher, another good sign for later.
It is the thoughtfulness of the combinations that delights, as in home-cured organic salmon with a beetroot salad and a goat's cheese dressing, or a veloute of Jerusalem artichoke with smoked haddock and macaroni, before leading on to a star-studded array of main courses, starting with seared fillet gurnard with haricot beans, lardons and smoked paprika.
A ravioli bound with mascarpone brings together girolle and chestnuts in a sublime blend and comes to table accompanied by a warm celeriac remoulade. Guinea fowl are back on the menus of the discerning, here in the form of roast breast and thigh served with puy lentils, courgette, peppers and sage.
Their desserts are straight out of the classic box and banish with ease any thoughts there might have been of an ample sufficiency by the time the main course plates had been cleared. If ever there was a case made for an assiette of puddings it surely has to be at The Willow Tree, but I suspect they are much to well mannered for that, though the assiette does appear, bringing into play rhubarb and ginger only.
The ever faithful tarte tatin draws upon Russet apple and cardamom, served with cardamom ice cream; pistachio crème brulée with a cocoa sablé again brings the flavours together in a rather special way. True a touch of the Hestons does creep in with a warm bitter chocolate tart served with beetroot ice cream, and last but certainly by no means least we are faced with a traditional bread and butter pudding with apricot jam and vanilla ice cream.
Three courses will cost £27.50 on Tuesday and Wednesday, but on busier nights Thursday to Saturday, the price goes up by a fiver, which seems to make sound commercial sense.
Willow Tree was winner of the Remy Martin Restaurant 'Remy' and named Somerset Newcomer of the Year by the Good Food Guide in 2004. 2005 brought two AA Rosettes. Needless to say, booking is absolutely essential.
Fixed Dinner
- £27.50 (3 courses), Tues - Wed, £32.50 (3 courses), Thurs - Sat
Your Reviews of Willow Tree
Rohan Shaikh (12 March 2007)
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!
Herschelle Gibbs (13 January 2007)
Fantastic! How the Castle Hotel has a Michelin star and not the Willow Tree will never cease to amaze me!
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Additional Info for Willow Tree
Children welcome- Groups allowed
Air conditioning
- Outside seating
- Reservations
- Cover Charge
- House red: £13.95
- House white: £13.95
- Service charge: Not included
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