DARTFORD: Theatre treat at The Circle Restaurant **** (From News Shopper)

DARTFORD: Theatre treat at The Circle Restaurant ****

2:52pm Monday 18th January 2010

• Print
• Email
• Comments(0)

WITH fine dining establishments dotted across south-east London and north Kent, I can’t say I was ecstatic about visiting a restaurant on the first floor of a theatre in Dartford.

But I was left pleasantly surprised and stuffed full of good food by the time I left The Circle Restaurant in the Orchard Theatre.

The eating establishment boasts on its website that its polite and smart waiters will deliver a “three course meal timed to perfection before the performance without the worry of missing the curtain.”

I wasn’t planning on seeing a show and so feared the worst when I climbed the steps to the clean, open-plan restaurant.

After being quickly seated and served with a tasty bottle of red, I turned my attention to the menu.

There were plenty of dishes that took my fancy but in the end I settled on lemon and garlic marinated prawns on an oriental noodle salad (£4.50).

Immaculately presented, the plate was full of aroma and looked very handsome.

However, I have never really understood the point of al dente pasta and, unfortunately for me, the chilled noodles were definitely on the raw side of undercooked.

The noodles may have added a texture to the dish and complimented the soft prawns, but I would have preferred it if they had hung around in boiling water for a little longer.

But the garlic and lemon dressing was flavoursome over juicy and fresh prawns. So good, in fact, I would have liked to have seen more than three on the bed of noodles.

Waiting for the main course to arrive, I noticed how busy the restaurant was. The modern tables were simply decorated and filled with smiling faces.

The atmosphere wasn’t exactly tranquil but then the restaurant was at the heart of a popular theatre on a Friday night.

Despite the hustle and bustle the waiters were attentive and happy to please - even after I had turned up 15 minutes late.

As the stalls emptied from the afternoon’s show, my slow roast pork belly with mashed sweet potatoes and bramley apple sauce (£11) arrived.

It was clear that someone in the kitchen had spent a fair amount of time dishing up - the presentation was once again immaculate.

The meat fell apart on my fork and was succulent and moist, veined with delicious, crunchy pork fat.

The mashed potatoes were colourful and smooth without being overdone and my greedy side was satisfied when the plate arrived piled high was tender pork.

The meal was finished off with a delicately creamy banoffee pie (£3.50), sprinkled with shards of dark chocolate.

It was sweet and soft with a hard biscuit base and did what every good pudding should - stuck to the roof of my mouth.

I was determined that I wasn’t going to like The Circle before I visited but left with my just desserts.

Yes, it’s not a quiet, romantic spot to propose to your loved one but it serves great food in hefty portions, prepared with patience and skill.

With two courses for £15, it is undoubtedly a hidden culinary gem in the heart of the town.

Well worth a visit even if you don’t plan on heading into the stalls for an evening show.

If it wasn't for my dislike of al dente pasta, The Circle would have scored a perfect five stars.

To reserve a table or to find out which dates pre-show dining is available, call the Orchard’s ticket office on 01322 220000.

• Print
• Email
• Comments(0)