Quirky and full of surprises I
LOOKING back on the past year, our thirst for the fine art of mixing, love of fizz and wines from around the world proves we’re applauding flavour, are happy to experiment and don’t mind spending a little bit more.
Here are some of the stand-out stars that tickled our taste buds, enhanced Happy Hour and made us want to celebrate wonderful moments with a glass of something special, before we call “last orders!” on 2017.
A cocktail journey in a stylish bar was leagues ahead of meeting up with mates for a couple of pints in the pub. Whether you’re fond of the bittersweet taste of a negroni or a tall, dark, handsome espresso martini (we love the taste of Mr Black Cold-Pressed coffee liqueur with Belvedere Vodka), both of these standout performers enjoyed a renaissance. T’S a restaurant that recently won a major regional award which is more than enough reason to go and review it.
Quirky II and Tapas on Station Street in Meltham won the Restaurant of the Year award for the Yorkshire region in Food Awards England 2017 which celebrates the best in the food industry.
It’s quirky probably because it’s housed in a wonderful old Meltham building that was the site of the village’s first school in 1737 and was demolished and rebuilt in 1823. Compared to some of the buildings around here that makes it positively modern.
We thought we’d try the tapas menu but it wasn’t until the end of the meal we realised they had another menu on the go too. More of that later.
It was a cold night outside so a touch of trepidation set in when we were shown to a table right next to the door and away from all the other diners. We pointed the proximity to the door and the waiter who could not possibly have been any politer - claimed the door would hardly be opening again.
Within seconds someone popped out, probably for a smoke.
There’s a plug-in heater next to this table which indicates they realise there’s a problem with the cold there. We switched it right up. Probably worth them putting a radiator on the wall next to it.
When it comes to so-called soft drinks I’m peculiar. I’m the only person I know who likes tomato juice. What’s more, I like it with lashings of Worcester sauce and ice. Strange to the point of freaky.
The waiter was at first bemused but then cast his mind back in time and recalled making one before. Great, we were in.
When it came it was the smallest drink I’ve ever seen ... it was almost at the point I thought they were having a laugh but the way it was served with a serious face indicated it came in just one size. Tiny. And no ice, but at least they’d spiced it with the sauce.
He then relayed some bad news to us. There were no more Mc Hoppy Wopper burgers (£7). Shame, we’d already lined up Mc Hoppy to make us happy. Never mind. But more was to follow. The baked goats cheese salad (£6) was no more either.
Still, there was plenty more to go for, and so we ordered in-house fried chips and dips (£3.70), hand rolled homemade breads (£2.50), homemade garlic bread (£2.50), balsamic dip and lots of butter. The garlic bread is a miniature baguette which went well with what was left of my miniature drink.
Loved the chips – they arrived with plenty of tomato sauce and a garlic dip and the Chinese flaky duck ticked all the right boxes with the pancakes, salad and sweet chilli sauce.
When the waiter returned with the dessert menu we discovered they were on a completely different menu, which was a set price meal of a starter and main course for £17.50 or three courses strips of beef with mixed peppers for £21. Had we known about that (£7), fried halloumi and balsamic menu earlier we may have chosen salad (£5), Chinese flaky duck with differently. pancakes (£7), garlic chicken in a We treated ourselves to the cream sauce (£7) and, finally, Quirky Collection for Two which chick pea and tomato burger (£5). included treacle and chocolate
The beauty of tapas is there is tart, red berry cheesecake, red usually a dish that stands out ... berry and vanilla ice cream often one that you wouldn’t meringue and vanilla ice cream normally even bother trying. The with crushed biscuits, chocolate coy culinary delight here turned drizzle and Bailey’s poured on top. out to be the chick pea and tomato All were fine with the cheesecake burger that was wonderfully the standout dish – it was just spiced. I’d have had that as a large so light – while the tart is for those burger and probably would have with an exceptionally sweet tooth. been as happy as if Mc Hoppy was I think I’ll be pouring Bailey’s on still around. my ice-cream at home from now
The one that fell short of expectations on, possibly along with other turned out to be the beef tipples. Not tomato juice though. that came across as a tad bland. When the bill came most of the Also, if there was any balsamic on items simply said miscellaneous the salad that went with the fried next to the figure so it was hard to halloumi then it’d win any hide double check what we’d had. and seek competition. Quirky is a charming setting and
The garlic chicken came with although the meal was good there lots of sauce – an ideal companion are things the restaurant needs to for all the bread we’d ordered and keep an eye on, especially since there was plenty of it served with a winning the award.