A Norfolk tasting menu at Titchwell Manor

If you have read any of my previous posts, you will know that I am especially fond of the Norfolk coast and I try to head up there at least once or twice a year for some salty air, samphire and seafood. Normally, I try to locate a windswept B&B that provides kippers as a breakfast choice but this year, as a little treat to myself (and after reading a review in one of the London free publications), I decided to book a night at Titchwell Manor, on the coast road near Brancaster. Despite the size of the hotel, we nearly missed it, distracted as we were by the views of the sea. It sits alone on the edge of the road, looking out across the fields to the marshes and sands beyond. Inside, it has stepped away from the Farrow and Ball colour scheme which is becoming rather common in other establishments along this route and is a refreshing mixture of mid century furniture and patterned wallpaper, creating a homely and welcoming place to relax after the long drive across the fens. Our room was a perfect little bolt hole in the gardens, appropriately named the Potting Shed, with it's own parking space, veranda and luxurious bath and wet room. I'd booked the tasting menu as a special treat and after a glass of Prosecco (this was my birthday treat after all) we decided to include the wine 'flight', with a different glass for each course. First to arrive were the canapés starting with a eel fritter in sweet and sour dressing. It may have been the result of the rotten cold from which I was suffering but these were a little disappointing in flavour despite the crisp crunchy texture. The second canapés were more successful and were served on the first of many beautifully hand thrown plates. These little bites of cauliflower panna cotta, beetroot and feta and pork scratching were devoured eagerly with excitement mounting for the following courses.

The first course certainly did live up to expectations. Silky fresh slices of mackerel with soy, cucumber, lime, caviar and salmon eggs, this was definitely a dish for me. It was hard to resist the urge to lick my plate clean (and I certainly used some bread to wipe up every morsel). The wine chosen to accompany this course was a Lebanese chardonnay and was most unusual, unlike any chardonnay I've had before (and in a good way as it's not my favourite wine), a real eye opener.

Following on from the mackerel was a tart and intriguing shot of sea buckthorn juice to freshen the palate before a plate of barbecued onion with avocado and brazil nut yoghurt. Although this was sweet and unctuous, it lacked the depth of flavour of the fish before it. The second fish course made up for it and was one of the loveliest things I have eaten for a while. Fresh pollock with seasonal asparagus, pea shoots and elderflower and another glorious glazed bowl. An elderflower fritter sat delicately on top. So seriously good, who'd have thought that the sweet elderflower which have matched fish so well. I would eat this as a main course any day.

Another seasonal feast arrived swiftly afterwards and was accompanied by the first glass of red, this time from Spain. Norfolk lamb, sweetbread and courgettes with lemon balm (although again my cold interfered here and I was hard pressed to name the delicate herb by flavour alone).

By this point the wine (and cold medication) may have started to kick in and I have to admit to being a little hazy about some of the descriptions of the sweet dishes that followed (as the light was also going the opportunity for a good photo also lessened). Rich and dark chocolate ganache with lime 'air' and a chocolate swirl that I distinctly remember our lovely waiter mentioning something about vodka, then blood orange sorbet and Earl Grey cream, a variety of strawberry flavours and textures and my particular favourite Brie de Meaux, bread pudding and grapes (a fantastic mixture of sweet with deeply savoury melted Brie) all paired with perfect wines were devoured in succession.

Finally though all good things come to an end and we had eaten our last course. However, from the kitchen came a very sweet surprise, a birthday wish in chocolate (the way to any girl's heart) with a tiny salted caramel and dark chocolate and raspberry bonbon.  As if this wasn't enough, we each received a tiny packet of delicate macarons which we took back to the Potting Shed with a couple of brandies.

Would I recommend this place? A definite yes, it was a real treat and the only thing which would have helped me enjoy it it more would have been a cure for the common cold. The service was friendly, discrete and charming. I certainly wish this place all the success it deserves. Another fantastic place to eat along this beautiful coast.