We venture out of the city to explore The Boars on Spooner Row.
Food
I wasn't sure what I was expecting from The Boars but from the moment we were handed the menus – styled to look and feel like a newspaper (I'm not bias) – I knew we were in for a treat! The innovative design style meant that all of the restaurants news, drinks and food courses were listed together in one handy place.
To start we had the Norfolk Binham Blue and sticky red onion jam tartlet with pickled shallots, walnut pesto and fig balsamic glaze. The light smatter of pesto complemented the Binham blue and none of the flavours, all of which can be overpowering, especially the onion, were. They blended together to create a harmonious flavour all of their own. The pastry was perfectly flaky and I can't fault the dish.
To follow we enjoyed roasted garlic potato gnocchi with butternut squash, curly kale, oyster mushroom and crispy sage. Gnocchi is unsuspectingly filling and therefore often served a little on the stingy side but this helping was so generous it proved too much for me. In a creamy sauce, the gnocchi was lightly roasted and while I found it a little chewy and gloopy in parts my mum – who is not typically a gnocchi fan – thought it was just right. The butternut squash was enjoyable, mushrooms were velvety and like with tart, all flavours blended harmoniously.
Our second main was the marinated chicken katsu curry with sticky white rice, katsu sauce, pickled ginger, red chilli and coriander. It put Wagamamas to shame, with the silky curry sauce done to an extremely high standard. The chicken itself was tender and luscious in its Panko breadcrumbs. The pickled ginger was unusual and extremely sharp. It cut through the heat of the curry and we really loved it.
We were slightly spoiled for choice when it came to desert but couldn't resist the Tonka bean crème brulee with Bullards Norwich Dry Gin yoghurt snow and almond shortbread.
The Tonka bean crème brulee was creamy and the perfect consistency throughout. The Tonka flavour was subtle and light, not too sweet. The Bullards Norwich Dry Gin yoghurt snow, was tart but delicious although its coldness combined with the warmth of the brulee wasn't terribly enjoyable and perhaps something sweeter like a raspberry would have benefitted both elements and broken them up.
Drinks
Good selection of drinks at the bar. I enjoyed a Bullards Strawberry and Black Pepper Gin which was beautifully presented.
Ambience
The place itself has a feel of a laid back eatery you'd stumble across in France. It was comfortable and relaxed, like at home (if you had a really really nice living room…) It felt authentic and uncontrived. We didn't want to leave!
Service
The service was excellent. Staff were lovely and chatty, extremely friendly but weren't overbearing.
Loos
Nice, simple and clean.
Parking
Few spaces at the front of the building but it's on very quiet country streets.
Location
Good for the people of Wymondham but slightly sad for those that live in the city centre of Norwich and don't have access to a car regularly. It's definitely a destination restaurant, but worth it.
Price
As it's up there with the better restaurants in the area, the price is more than reasonable considering the quality and quantity.
Highlight
The overall experience, the food, service and décor came together to produce a lovely relaxing meal.
In summary
The Boars deserves top marks for food and ambience. I can't believe I had been missing out on a place of this calibre for so long - I cannot wait to return!
This is an independent review.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here