Lunch at Sienna, Dorchester, Dorset

My friend Valerie and I went to Sienna in Dorchester, Dorset Saturday afternoon. We expected something a little bit special as we heard they had just won a Michelin star and we weren't disappointed. At £25 for a three course lunch we thought this extremely good value.

We were pleased on first impressions. The restaurant itself is 'small but perfectly formed.' A light, warm room, neutrally decorated with Sienna coloured furnishings (hence the name which originated from an alternative to 'Browns'). With just 5 small tables it made for a great service which was very friendly, informal, non-intrusive and discreet.

Lunch was an unhurried affair, and rightly so. You come here to savour, not eat and run. We were amazed to discover we had been there for three hours by the time we left.

We shared a 250ml decanter of Merlot Domaine Du Peras (VdP d'Oc). I won't attempt to describe the wine, Jilly Goolden I am not yet I don't just look at the alcohol percentage either. You'll just have to trust me on this, it's a good job they didn't give me the whole bottle.

It's the little details that mean alot. The canapes we started with acted as a teaser of what to come, savour the flavour...


CANAPES

Cheese and Onion Tartlets - perfect little light pastry cases contained warm melted cheese and spring onion filling.

Venison Brochettes - A skewer of perfectly cooked, juicy, melt in the mouth venison.

Salted Almonds - think these had been lightly toasted.

STARTERS

Me - Prawn bisque with butter-roasted tiger prawns and piquillo pepper cream


What I loved so much about this meal was the beautiful presentation.


The piquillo pepper cream was lightly spiced and had a beautiful rich creamy, almost mousse like texture.

Valerie - Duck liver & foie gras parfait with Thompson raisins, verjus dressing & toasted brioche

MAINS

Me - Slow-roasted Genesis Farmers pork belly with caramelised apple and parsnip puree

In the photo I really tried to capture the juicyness of the meat. It really was so lean, tender and juicy. The crackling was fine and crisp. The portion size was just right..

Valerie - Wood-pigeon breast with potato gnocchi and baby beets


Valerie who is French and very discerning about food really enjoyed this dish.

DESSERTS

Tahitian vanilla cheesecake with blackcurrant jelly & poached apple

Artwork on a plate...

Bitter chocolate tart with clotted cream ice cream and pistachio praline

Petit fours served with coffee

Lemon Curd Tartlets - beautiful delicate pastry shells filled with slightly warm Lemon Curd filling lightly browned

Chocolates with Maple Syrup - very rich dark chocolate with a wonderful smooth maple syrup centre

Flapjacks - chewy and delicious



www.siennarestaurant.co.uk

36 High West Street
Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1UP
01305 250 022

Opening Times
Tuesday to Saturday
Lunch 12 - 2.00
Dinner 7 - 9.00
Reservations required

Brunch at The Bull Hotel, Bridport, Dorset

We were lucky enough to be granted a beautiful sunny day today amidst a week of pretty lousy cold and wet (but not snowy) weather. We (Jo, Tash and I) headed over to Bridport for a spot of brunch.





Tash opted for a full English breakfast, Jo the Eggs Benedict and I went for Eggs Royale. I think each of us made the right choice because we all had eggs with beautiful rich yellow runny yolks. The eggs come from a local butcher up the road, it was Sunday so we couldn't buy any unfortunately but a poster in the window said they come from 'The Hungry Carver' which made us chuckle.


As you can see the brunch menu is quite reasonably priced. £2.50 for a freshly made sandwich? Can't be bad....

www.thebullhotel.co.uk

34 East Street
Bridport, DT6 3LF
01308 422 878

Welcome to Foodie Dorset

I have discovered that there are some well kept food secrets in Dorset. Perhaps they are not intended to be secrets, just not well publicised enough to know these places are there. I have by chance discovered restaurants, cafes, bakeries, traders that deserve to be put on the map that not everyone seems to know about. Everyone seems to know that they can get a cheap meal from Wetherspoons and that they can obtain fruit and vegetables out of season from major supermarkets but will have to pay well over the odds for quality.

What most people don't realise is that it is not necessary to pay over the odds for good food in Dorset. It's all on the doorstep of Dorset. It is just knowing where to go. If I come across anything worth knowing about I'll let you know.