swanage: part 2 - the meal

our valentine's meal at ocean bay restaurant was not as good as it could have been but the atmosphere and occassion were perfect. an evening stroll along the beach, me wearing a new dress....alex looking smart in his suit. the restaurant was beautiful and cosy and romantic. the tables were dressed simply with a single red rose and cupid confetti. everything was wonderful...until they showed us the special valentine's menu. i guess it was foolish of me to check out ocean bay's website in advance as i was then anticipating their regular menu, which sounds fantastic!

tuna sushami - pickled beetroot, cucumber & peppers – soy & honey dressing - yes please.

roast fillet of salmon - lobster & shallot potatoes – lobster bisque - tempura tiger prawn - house salad - bring it to me.

rhubarb crème brulee - coconut & papaya shortbread - yum-o.

but none of that was to be.

the menu started out well....complimentary cocktails and hor d'oeurves.

some sort of mouse/pate on heart shaped toast topped with a red current. roast vegetables in a won ton cup. smoked salmon topped with creme fresh and cavier on a cracker. my cocktail was champange and orange juice. it was all very tasty.





alex and i both started with seared scallops on a bed of pureed cauliflower with a balsamic and bacon reduction. balsamic, bacon and scallops? a stroke of genuis. the bitter and too smooth cauliflower puree? blech. the scallops were perfectly cooked, and almost melted in your mouth and the bacon was every so slightly crispy, it was a great contrast. i suppose the bitter flavour of the cauliflower is the contrast to sweet and salty of everything else, but i would have much preferred either no bed or a different bed for my scallops. maybe something with a bit of bite or chunk.

next up was a steak with pureed butternut squash, roasted root vegetables and red wine jus. the roasted vegetables were overcooked to mush and the butternut squash was once again pureed until baby food smooth. it was piped onto the plate in a distinctly 'dog crap' shape. how unfortunate. the steak was cooked perfectly but was a little chewy. everything tasted good but felt the same in my mouth...i'm a fan of texture to my food.


alex picked the better dish....oh why must i hate mushrooms? he had a quail (or was it pheasant?) stuffed with wild mushrooms on a bed of sweet chestnut risotto with a sauce of something and some sort of roasted vegetables on top. sorry i don't remember the details. his dish had contrasting flavours and textures. buttery fowl, slightly spongy and firm risotto with crunchy bits of chestnut and squishy vegetables. it was yummy.


i forgot to take pictures of the desserts. and i cannot remember what alex had, there were many components. i do remember fresh strawberries and ice cream in a crunchy waffle basket. i had the local cheese platter and it was very enjoyable. a sharp cheddar, creamy bree, a stinky blue, and a hard and soft goat's cheese. there was a local ale apple chutney the likes i've never tasted before along with a variety of interesting biscuits. the cheese plate was really the highlight of the whole meal.

it was valentine's day and i was with the man i enjoy most and i can't ask for more than that but the meal was just not as good as it could have been.