I have just celebrated my ?? birthday and what better way to celebrate than to have an excellent meal out with good friends.
This weekend I have had the pleasure of eating out in Barnsley at two very different but excellent restaurants.
On Saturday I went to Beatson House in Cawthorne with 10 friends, we had booked the private dining room upstairs which was just perfect. It accommodates up to 12 people for a sit down meal.
Without exception everyone enjoyed their meal. Being a goats cheese fan the combination of goats cheese and portabello mushroom was just the thing to start my meal off, delicious. That was followed by mouth watering sea bass, one of the daily specials and brandysnap with home made rose petal icecream. One friend tried the Barnsley chop, the real Barnsley Chop and not a double lamb chop you get in many restaurants. It was a mini joint of lamb! The service, atmosphere, decor and food all contributed to make it a truly memorable evening.
Last night was a completely different food experience. I went to The Chilli Lodge next to the equestrian centre at Silkstone. Abdul the owner is passionate about traditional Bangladeshi cuisine and wanted his customers to be able to try food which people enjoy in Bangladesh. I love Indian Food as we know it here in the UK but was intrigued to find out how it compares to traditional fayre. The restaurant was busy with over 90 customers visiting over the course of the evening. There was no menu and we were served a variety of dishes. A starter of potato and egg with a yogurt dressing then 4 main dishes based on lamb, chicken, fish and vegetables with rice and nan bread. The food was delicious, very different in appearance as the sauces weren't thick. The dishes were cooked long and slow, up to 3 hours, which would be impossible with the fast turnaround we expect in Indian Restaurants. The atmosphere and service were excellent and the surroundings stylish. This was the third time Abdul has held a 'traditional' taster evening and I'm sure he will hold further such events in the future.
http://www.thebestof.co.uk/local/barnsley/business-guide/feature/beatson-house-restaurant/46517
http://www.thebestof.co.uk/local/barnsley/business-guide/feature/the-chilli-lodge/51927
I am always looking out for excellent local restaurants so would welcome recommendations about your favourite hidden gems in the Barnsley and surrounding areas.