Latest review:
The 1861 restaurant tucked just inside the Welsh border, in the rolling Monmouthshire country side and is a must for any foodie with an amazing gourmet cuisine experience.
Service was excellent, the hostess greeted us at the door not inside, on the doorway as we arrived. Leading through to the dinning room which was a simple white walls with traditional black beam, paintings of the area by local artists Brough colour in the room. An old style room, but felt warm and inviting with hints of the season on each and no traditional 'pub' memorabilia.
We ordered some bread for the table and present with a quaint warm loaf with salted butter, before The main event. We had ordered the taster menu of five courses for dinner and it was spectacular!
To start essence of tomato jelly, a clear jelly with cubed tomatoes, very different and unique.
Secondly we were presented with artichoke salad. Forgive me I don't remember the full name of the salad, but it was perfectly light and delicious.
Third course the fish, a crusted salmon served on a potato gratin and spinach base. Ethically source salmon from was tender and melted in the mouth, for me I'm not a fish fan, in fact I would not normally eat fish, but this may have changed all that and my partner still talking about this dish.
The fourth course was a duet of wild boar, served with a mash and seasonal selected vegetables with jus. This was sensational for me, beautifully present and I demolished the whole plate, was actually tempted to ask for seconds.
Finished with a panna cotta, poached rhubarb with rhubarb lce cream, not eaten rhubarb since my great grandmother sold her house nearly 30 years ago, always found it stringy, but this was amazing the rhubarb melted in the mouth, really brought back good and happy memories for me.
All of the the dishes were amazing, beautifully presented and seasoned perfectly, the importance of great food honestly present done so well by the team there. It pushed my boundaries with somethings I wouldn't normally pick of a menu, and I'm so glad I went with an open mind and mouth! The food instilled and brought back memories sitting in my grandmother's kitchen. Twist like tomato jelly has meant we've been talking about the experience all week, to everyone, but the quality of food was superb, we were looked after throughout and would return in a heartbeat. Thanks to Simon and Kate for an amazing evening, we will be back.
The 1861 is truly deserving of a 5 star review I highly recommend you book now.
