Cilantro Private Dining
Voco Hotel Reading
Select Car Leasing Stadium
Shooters Way
Reading RG2 0FL
0118 925 3500
https://www.facebook.com/vocoReading/
You can’t beat going out for a good meal can you?
I’ve lived in Reading all my life and been for many meals and even stayed in the hotel but didn’t realise it was there, I’m talking about Cilantro, in Voco hotel at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.
It’s an amazing experience, and one that not every Reading resident knows is on their doorstep.
It’s a great space with intimate lighting, a good selection of round tables, a favourite of mine, and mood music that’s just the right volume.
My husband Mark and I enjoyed trying Cilantro’s tasting menu, six courses all created and prepared by executive chef, Denzil Newton and his team. It’s a good opportunity to taste different dishes from the kitchen, particularly things you wouldn’t normally try.
And in relaxed surroundings, it’s a memorable night out, for all the right reasons.
We were lucky enough to have an opportunity to meet the master chef Denzil, and hear from him about the courses, as well as to learn about the influences and inspirations that helped him turn them into a delicious reality.
The passion simply oozes out of him, and his joy of food is apparent on every plate we enjoyed.
As a chef, having freedom over the menu is everything according to Denzil.
His menu is influenced by the food that’s in season and, although it’s a little later than normal, that meant the entree was a celeriac amuse bouche was on the menu.
Served in a small espresso cup, this was designed to prepare out palette for the feast to come.
A wonderful starter followed with Serrano ham prepared two ways, melon two ways and the most wonderful balsamic vinegar balls which just popped in your mouth, I have no idea how these were created but they took this dish to another level.
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The next dish had one of my favourite elements: shallot crème fraiche, Smoked Gnocchi, avocado, and candied pecan. This dish is not something I would have normally chosen from a menu, which is why a tasting menu is such a great experience.
Next course was the fillet steak, served with tender stem and Yukon carrots, pulled beef fondant, peppercorn foam, and bay leaf jus.
I’ve eaten a fair few steaks in my time and you might think you can’t go to wrong but I think this was the best cut of fillet I’ve ever had and it was cooked perfectly.
The pulled beef fondant was a really lovely accompaniment.
One of my favourite things about the way this menu has been compiled is the use of an ingredient several ways on the plate.
I’ll be honest by the time dessert came I think we both were full but you’ve got to try everything, haven’t you?
Dessert was a red wine poached pear, pear sorbet, with a pear crisp.
I’m not a massive fan of pears but this dish made me rethink that.
It was light and refreshing to finish the meal.
We enjoyed some coffee and petit fours – strawberries dipped in chocolate – before we made our way back home.
Mark and I had such a memorable evening at Cilantro, relaxing over wonderful food, in a room you can actually have a conversation in.
The meal, all six courses, was excellent value for money at £49 per person. The food was amazing and there was plenty of it. You certainly won’t leave feeling hungry.
If you want to spend an evening with friends or your partner and enjoy really having the opportunity to speak (so many places now are too noisy) and indulge in some amazing food then a visit to the Select Car Leasing Stadium’s Voco hotel is definitely the place to go.
CLAIRE NASH
