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Finally the oh so famous KR is getting a decent smattering of good grub! Why it has never seemed to attract such venues with the wealth that surrounds it is beyond me. But, Rabbit is one of those 'hip' hangouts that has followed Kurbuta's lead, and thank goodness it has!
Our house is under renovation so, with no kitchen, living room and well... no downstairs! We're smashing through a good handful of new places.
Mr D's university friend, Mr H, and his lovely girlfriend Tibby were our dates for the evening and I cannot tell you how happy I was that this was the venue of choice... it is SO good for groups of 4+ as we managed to sample most of the menu - perfect.
Much like it's slightly older sister, The Shed, Rabbit focus' on small plates for sharing. All made up of fabulous flavours and some even home grown on their pops' farm in Nutbourne. Try their 'Nutty' home brewed champers I believe it's starting to win high acclaim!
We ordered four of each of the small mouthfuls and then many, many other dishes all as good as the last and never faulting on combinations.
So first up the mouthfuls:
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Mushroom Marmite eclair (above, front left)
Brown crab bomb, lemon and dulse (above, back left)
Beetroot crisp with goats cheese and pear jam (above, back right)
Woodcock pate, smoked potato, quince (above, front left)
All the above were amazing taste sensations in one... mouthful. Really packing a punch and just so put together it felt like you were in a fine dining restaurant with attitude!
We then went onto a feast of many of their larger dishes in quick succession...each plate we served between the four of us with the odd one having two of...
Red Grouse, rose hip and wood sorrel. Yummy pink grouse which was cured and then served a top a really beautiful simple 'salad'...
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Gurnard, Mussels, sea purslane, chanterelles and artichoke (opening pic and below)... crisp skin made a great contrast of texture to some seriously well cooked fish. The artichoke was puréed serving as a sauce and some earthiness came from the mushrooms - an incredibly well balanced dish and one of my faves of the night.
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Brussels sprout, hazelnut, cheddar and apple salad - I will be recreating this fab chopped salad idea! Really light, refreshing and crunchy, a welcome green hit amongst our sea of (delicious) proteins.
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Rabbit ravioli, bone marrow, yellow chanterelles and lovage pesto. Now, lovage is not my favourite of things (no idea why I simply don't 'love-it'...sorry!). However, I couldn't taste it thankfully, and thoroughly enjoyed the rest of the dish - a real winter warmer.
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Calves tongue, duck hearts, garlic and black cabbage this I didn't try so much as I'm not the biggest offal fan but the boys were singing its praises...
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Magnum vienetta parfait. Caramel, ice cream...layered...what else can I say but...OH.MY... AMAZING!
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Now, the shed can be expensive if you seriously 'go all out' but I think it serves two purposes as it can also be a fantastic place (should you be able to get in) where by you could pop in for a light supper of just one or two plates... every element of every single dish is thoroughly well though of. Each ingredient has it's own purpose and sings it's own tune on the plate. Since my visit to The Shed I have always sung its praises and now, I'm pleased I have one a little closer to home... the Gladwin boys...well done once again!
