ARBOREAL RESTAURANT | FOOD REVIEW
68 Eastgate, Cowbridge CF71 7AB. 01446 775093 / www.arboreal.uk.com
Have you visited Arboreal yet? And if not, why not? This small but beautifully formed family-run restaurant is exactly how an eating out experience should be. We went on one of their music and dinner evenings, where we were treated to a brilliant reggae band. The food from the board was a selection of pizzas – all made in their wood-burning oven – toppings including roast lamb, fiorentina and an interesting carbonara. The menu also harbours delights such as marinated free range chicken served with warm pearl barley, courgette broccoli, salad and crispy potato cake, or the sharing Cote de Boeuf (£60 for 2 people): a 20oz rib of beef on the bone served with salad, fries and peppercorn sauce. We, however, chose Vietnamese nem rolls & dipping sauce (£7) and sticky Asian pork ribs (£8) to start, followed by catch of the day (£17): bream with a orange and beetroot salad plus a side order of sweet potato wedges.
Piggy (my partner) had the Arboreal burger (£14) with mozzarella, spiced tomato chutney and pickled cucumber with hand-cut sweet potato wedges. Given the unprecedented slew of all things burger-related which have opened everywhere recently, the Arboreal organic burger is head and shoulders above any of them, succulent and tender. A garlic flatbread (£7) came straight from the woodburner. The band played Bob Marley tracks in the background, while diners looked relaxed and happy.
For desserts, sticky toffee pudding and warm chocolate fondant won the day: paired with gorgeous ice-cresm and oozing with chocolate, respectively. A bottle of Greyrock Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc (£18.95) was a satisfying accompaniment to our meal. Having visited Arboreal several times since they opened three years ago, it has remained consistently excellent and interesting. It’s worth every penny spent and is still one of my favourite places to go. If you fancy going to the next music/food night, it’s on Thurs 13 Nov and you will be treated to a jazz/ swing band. Book now before it’s too late.
words ANTONIA LEVAY
