The lively décor inside and the unbelievable all-you-can-eat chocolate buffet have been the hallmarks of The Cottonwood Boutique Hotel. This is however not all the place is about right now. The Garden Restaurant found on the ground-floor of the art deco-style hotel has gone unnoticed by many. While the lobby and lounge of the hotel are adorned with all sorts of pastels, florals and pinks, the restaurant, while bold, is much more toned down. However, before going to other details, it’s the pocket friendliness of the restaurant that is most shocking with three courses available for £21.95 and two courses for £17.95.
You won’t be short of options when you take a look at the ‘Dinner table D’hote’ menu. There are six options in both the starters and desserts section with nine main courses to choose from too. For that amount of money you’d be forgiven for assuming they’d cheap out on the style or service but that is not the case. The tables have a compliment of cutlery, napkins and candles and also have a crisp, white table cloth.
The mackerel fillet is a very good starter. The fillet is skinned and sliced in half. It’s presented with a bit of mayonnaise (basil flavoured), a few crispy capers and mixed salad leaves. It may not be the most over-the-top combination but the ingredients are of good quality and the presentation is also spot-on. You can also go for the tomato soup which is served with slices of crusty bread. The soup is thick and creamy. The wine selection isn’t poor either and for £27 you can get a bottle of New Zealand’s Spy Valley Sauvignon.
If you want the very freshest item for the mains, you should definitely go for the catch of the day. The chef definitely knows how to combine what is there to prepare a most tasty plate. For dessert, the seasonal fresh fruit platter is a great choice. Think pineapple slices, cantaloupe, watermelon and strawberries served with balls of mango sorbet. The rhubarb and ginger crumble is also not a bad choice and is served with a jug of crème Anglaise (chilled).
Plenty of thought goes into the presentation of the dishes right up to the finishing touches. This a great spot to eat out during the week without hurting your pocket.