Restaurant review: Nothing run of the Mill about this Epic place

I have always loved my little trips out into Rutland - because more often than not you are going to stumble on a little gem of a place to eat and drink.
Brad Barnes dines at the Mill Street pub and kitchen in Oakham.Brad Barnes dines at the Mill Street pub and kitchen in Oakham.
Brad Barnes dines at the Mill Street pub and kitchen in Oakham.

In fact we passed a couple of well known ones - in Exton and Whitwell - en route to our destination - and another great find - the Mill Street Pub and Kitchen in Oakham.

It’s an old and imposing building in the narrow town centre street but gives nothing away as to what lies inside after a huge refurbishment prior to its opening six or seven weeks ago as part of the now four-strong Epic Pubs group..

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The main drinking area is comfortable, there’s a lovely little snug and a stunning private dining room. Behind the bar lies the main dining area set off by a newly built conservatory where we rested ourselves - nice and bright but not to hot on a late summer’s afternoon.

Brad Barnes dines at the Mill Street pub and kitchen in Oakham.Brad Barnes dines at the Mill Street pub and kitchen in Oakham.
Brad Barnes dines at the Mill Street pub and kitchen in Oakham.

The menu is classic gastro pub with some nice little touches - pickled shallots and chestnuts as a side order for instance, or a great sandwich selection featuring confit duck and hoi sin, Oriental salad or maybe crispy cod cheeks with curried cucumber riata.

No grumbles with the choice of starters, including the duck Scotch egg on the specials board.

I expected a big burst of flavour from my braised beef cheeks and I wasn’t disappointed; absolutely lovely. Three hearty chunks of meat on a big (for a starter) bed of salsify and wild mushroom risotto which was very enjoyable with tasty artichoke crisps (£7.50) .

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Donna, meanwhile, adored the gin-cured trout (from Rutland Water, naturally); a great fresh-tasting flavour with a nice beetroot remoulade and fiery horseradish mousse (£6.50).

Brad Barnes dines at Mill Street in Oakham.Brad Barnes dines at Mill Street in Oakham.
Brad Barnes dines at Mill Street in Oakham.

Both nicely presented (I did like the crockery), a terrific start, and things continued in the same vein with the mains,

My rolled lamb shoulder (the best cut imo) was divine - no fat or gristle just beautiful tasting dark meat, moist and tender.

It came with a well seasoned potato terrine, unusual but rather morish curry mayo and bok choi (£16.50)..

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And across the table a lovely piece of pan fried hake, on a delicious chorizo and Borlotti bean stew with samphire and mussels. A mouth-watering combination (£16.75).

Brad Barnes dines at the Mill Street pub and kitchen in Oakham.Brad Barnes dines at the Mill Street pub and kitchen in Oakham.
Brad Barnes dines at the Mill Street pub and kitchen in Oakham.

The service was relaxed but attentive making for the most enjoyable lunch for some time.

VENUE: Mill Street Pub and Kitchen, 6 Mill Street, Oakham,Rutland, LE15 6EA Tel: 01572 729 600 Email: [email protected] Online www.millstreetoakham.com

BRAD’S RATING: 9

FROM THE LUNCH MENU

Brad Barnes dines at the Mill Street pub and kitchen in Oakham.Brad Barnes dines at the Mill Street pub and kitchen in Oakham.
Brad Barnes dines at the Mill Street pub and kitchen in Oakham.

starters

Salt & Pink Peppercorn Cornish Squid £8.25

With oyster mayo & sea herbs

Duck & Guinea Fowl Terrine £7.00

With autumn root vegetables, celeriac ketchup

Whipped Melton Mowbray Stilton £6.50

Brad Barnes dines at the Mill Street pub and kitchen in Oakham.Brad Barnes dines at the Mill Street pub and kitchen in Oakham.
Brad Barnes dines at the Mill Street pub and kitchen in Oakham.

With cider caramel, pickled walnuts and apple

mains

Pumpkin & Parmesan Gnocchi £12.00

with oyster mushroom fricasée & crispy sage

Maple Glazed Pork Belly £15.50

Savoy cabbage and bacon, ham hock croquette, apple sauce

Grilled Whole Brixham Plaice £13.75

Pink Fir potatoes, caper & parsley butter sauce

Corn-fed Chicken Breast £13.75

Creamed mash, charred leeks & romanesque, salsa verdi

Wild Venison Loin £23.00 Parsnip & turnip hash, purple kale, cranberry & port jus

Roast Rack of Lamb to Share £42.00

Salt baked potatoes, minted peas & red wine gravy

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