Bradleys

A simple neighbourhood restaurant with a pleasant little garden accessed through French doors that open out in summer. To begin with I had a rather watery Jerusalem artichoke soup, which I have to say I can cook better myself (11/20).  My companion had a much better dish of four scallops, which were nicely cooked with a simple cauliflower puree and a smear of red wine sauce (14/20). 

For main course I had tuna, cooked rare, covered with a pepper crust and served with some ordinary potato crisps (12/20). My companion again fared better with a loin of venison, cooked pink and served with a shallot tatin and a tasty horseradish mash. Some accompanying (charged extra) French beans and snow peas were competently done (13/20). A pear tatin for dessert was reasonable, while a caramelised apple was less good, with an over-flaky strudel.  Coffee was fine, and the breads were good. The wine list was almost entirely New World, including a good selection of Bonny Doon e.g. Cigare Volant and his Moscato dessert wine. There was friendly, unpretentious service, but the waiter struggled to remember who ordered what. Overall this was an erratic meal, but with cooking a cut above the average for a local restaurant and with an excellent wine list. 

Further reviews: 01st Dec 2012