“The Courtyard” in Bonnington Road Lane has new owners: Jane Donoghue and Steve Mudie. At the opening we were served an amazing range of delicious canapés, and they invited us to come back and sample the restaurant, which we did last Friday evening.

They have their own car park! Across the road you walk

into a continental-style open courtyard setting, with a very attractive building. As you enter there is a ground floor bar and conservatory to the right, but you go up the stairs to the restaurant. It’s decorated in warm colours, and the place looks comfortable with upholstered dining chairs, and occasional armchairs.

There would have been around forty diners when we went, and the noise was only of people enjoying their food and having a good blether. It was busy without being crowded. As we were doing a review we couldn’t just have the deliciouslooking fish and chips! We had come prepared to eat three courses, but while we waited we saw plates with very generous helpings, and huge bowls of soup being delivered to other tables. We could see we were in for trouble!

As well as the good standard menu which is also served downstairs in the bar and outside, there was a “Today’s Specials” menu only for the restaurant. To begin we chose grilled black pudding with bacon, shallots and red wine sauce, and also deep fried Brie served with cranberry jelly and salad. Both were good, and we were a bit full!

For our main courses we chose from the special menu: fisherman’s pie – cod, salmon, haddock and prawns in a white wine sauce topped with mash and served with a
water cress salad. The pie was good, served in a big ramekin full of fish, and the water cress made a pleasant change.

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Our other choice was chargrilled duck served with dauphinoise potatoes and vegetables in a redcurrant and raspberry sauce. The duck was tender and the sauce went well.

After a well-earned pause we ordered pudding. We’d have chosen chocolate, but it was finished:
obviously popular! Cranachan, (whipped cream and toasted oatmeal with whisky-soaked raspberries); and pear and peach crumble with butterscotch sauce and vanilla ice cream. Phew.

The restaurant is open on Friday and Saturday evenings and it’s a good idea to book. Downstairs the standard menu is served at lunch and dinner times. Families can come and eat with their children (special menu) in the brasserie. Outside
there is the eponymous large courtyard, laid with tables and chairs and heaters for cooler times.
Large weatherproof TV screens are to go up outside for al fresco sports lovers. This is going to be the place to watch the World Cup, Wimbledon, rugby and cricket!

Let’s face it, the food was good, generous and warming, and the prices were reasonable. You sense that this is going to become a comfortable landmark both for residents and tourists alike. We
would recommend i t : we’l l definitely be going back!
Bo & Tim

The New Town View