TOP INDEPENDENT NORWICH RESTAURANT BUCKS THE TREND
An independent Norwich restaurant is bucking the economic trend by celebrating its eighth birthday – which it is marking by offering a special eight course tasting menu for the next month.
Roger Hickman’s Restaurant in Upper St Giles in the city is also looking forward to unveiling a new £500,000 expansion in the spring, which will include a 20-seater private dining room and a second kitchen.
The restaurant opened in February 2010 in the same building which was once occupied by the Michelin-starred Adlard’s – where chef-proprietor Roger Hickman was head chef.
Chocolate, honey, cashew nut. milk - one of the dishes on the birthday menu
Since then the establishment has established itself as the top eaterie in the city, winning a clutch of awards including three AA Rosettes for six years in a row, The Good Food Guide’s Best Restaurant in East Anglia, and the EDP Food Award for Best Restaurant twice.
From Friday 16th February until Saturday 17th March, the restaurant will be offering diners a special eight course tasting menu featuring many favourite dishes from the past eight years, with diners receiving a free glass of fizz to help celebrate the birthday.
“It is well documented how tough running an independent restaurant can be in the city, so to reach eight years of trading is worth celebrating,” said Roger Hickman.
“It goes to show that in a city largely made up of chain restaurants, that there is a healthy appetite for quality independent establishments.”
In October the restaurant announced a £500,000 investment to create an upstairs dining room and a second kitchen, increasing its capacity by 50 per cent. The new space will offer private dining, small functions and cookery demonstrations.
The celebratory eight course tasting menu will consist of:
- Jerusalem artichoke soup with crispy Jerusalem artichoke
- Heritage carrot salad, lemon yoghurt, dukkah crumb
- Scallops, caramelised cauliflower, raisins, burnt butter crumb
- Roasted partridge, truffle mash, parsnip, sprouts
- Braised short rib, roasted Jerusalem artichoke, shallot, cashew nuts
- Selection of cheeses
- Forced rhubarb, blood orange cake, custard, ginger ice cream
- Chocolate, honey, cashew nut, milk
The menu costs £70 per head, including a complimentary glass of fizz on arrival.