GINGER PIG
Copenhagen Street, Worcester.
Tel: 01905 338913
I WAS looking forward to a meal at the Ginger Pig. The café bar and bistro opened recently in Copenhagen Street and is run by the same people as the balcony cafe in the City Art Gallery and Museum.
The bistro’s website boasts of fresh, homecooked food based on locally sourced seasonal ingredients.
First impressions were good as the friendly owner’s greeting set the scene for what would be a night of excellent service.
The decor was smart but not as formal as a restaurant – in short, bistro-like.
Similarly, the menu included only about four or five starters and sweets and about six main courses plus two specials.
I chose pan-fried mushrooms with onion and pancetta (£5.75) while my other half went for free-range chicken sticks with peanut dipping sauce (£5.75).
His was perhaps a deliberate choice as I am not a fan of nuts – but I digress.
The food arrived promptly and the chicken sticks were declared a hit by my smug companion.
I felt my starter, while perfectly adequate, lacked sparkle, particularly as it was a touch on the pricey side. No complaints, though, about the generous helping of fresh side salad that came with both dishes.
For mains, I selected the 8oz beef and horseradish burger with homemade chips and sweet chilli salsa and salad (£11.50) while my husband plumped for haddock and smoked salmon fishcakes, with the same trimmings. (£11.95).
The meals, which arrived hot on the heels of the starter, were superb. The burger was thick and meaty, cooked to perfection, with just the right dash of horseradish flavour. The dip could perhaps have been spicier but the subtlety suited my tastes.
“This meat melts in the mouth,” said he (high praise from a butcher’s son) and, in return, he grudgingly allowed me to try one of his delicious fishcakes.
All paled into insignificance compared to the homemade chips, which alone would make it worth a return visit.
My apple and pear crumble with ice cream (£3.95) was tasty but a few spoons of sugar short of truly memorable. The local Bennetts ice cream was a triumph, though.
My husband reported his treacle tart with custard (£3.95) was enjoyable and said the custard was the best he’d ever tasted.
We both left the restaurant as rotund and content as the Tamworth pigs from which the bistro takes its name.
HOW IT RATED
Food: 4
Service: 5
Value for money: 5
Ambience: 4
