2016 Stamford Living Review

EATING OUT
No 3 The Yard
If you’re looking for a top-quality
meal in Stamford, Nicholas
Rudd-Jones thinks that No. 3
The Yard is hard to beat
O
NE very cold February evening
I went along to No 3 the Yard,
tucked away in a courtyard in
Ironmonger St, with writing and
walking companion, Sarah Stirling, to plot out
some urban rambles for her to carry out in
Wales, for our website www.urbanrambles.org
Or at least that was the ostensible reason
for going. But the reality was the sheer
pleasure of the excellent food and service.
In the evenings there is a three-course set
menu at £22, or an à la carte option, which
we went for. Sarah chose the tempura tiger
prawns with chilli mayonnaise to get going, and
declared them to be absolutely delicious; whilst
I set to on the black pudding and crispy bacon,
with a soft boiled egg salad & apple dressing,
which turned out to be rich and satisfying.
Time between courses enabled us to map
out a few obscure routes through Welsh cities,
but the main courses undoubtedly merited
our full attention. Sarah tucked into the roast
lamb rump with garlic & rosemary Dauphinoise
potatoes, green beans, toasted almonds &
lemon oil. The chef had the confidence to cook
the lamb rare, which allows its natural flavour
to come through. And I plumped for the confit
duck leg, with roasted red onion, buttered
Savoy cabbage, mash & spiced jus. Again, a
very rich and delicious dish and, if duck is your
thing, I recommend you come here for it, they
do it very well.
On the basis that we were going to walk
long distances in the future and would need
sustenance, we felt that desserts were justified,
Sarah opting for the pear & almond tart,
with pear parfait and crème Anglaise; and
I for bread & butter pudding – something I
hardly ever opt for, it being usually too stodgy
and lacking distinctive flavours, but I had
confidence by now in no. 3’s attention to detail,
and I was not disappointed.
In a nutshell, this restaurant deserves your
patronage.
• 3 Ironmonger St, Stamford PE9 1PL
Tel: 01780 756080 www.no3theyard.co.uk
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The Berkeley Arms,
Wymondham
Six years on Louise and Neil Hitchen continue to wow customers
and judges alike. For the 5th year running, The Berkeley Arms has
received a Michelin Bib Gourmand for good cooking at moderate
prices. And we can see why. Abigail Richardson and Janie Johnson
Crossfield enjoy a not so ‘lite lunch’ at one of our favourite pubs
I
N order to thank loyal friend and neighbour
(what would I do without her?), I took Janie
for a girls’ lunch. I had heard rumours that
Louise and Neil were moving to Oakham, sadly
not, but the 6 mile drive is no hardship when one
knows what is waiting at the other end.
I had already informed Janie of the Berkeley
Arm’s signature dish – fish and chips, and so
her decision was made prior to arrival…..But I
managed to persuade her into sharing a starter
and a pud – well, all in aid of a good cause!
We opted for the twice baked cheese soufflé –
incredible – light and fluffy, “not to cheesy” (that
wouldn’t have bothered me), mouth-watering
and huge! Having had Hambleton bread as an
appetiser, we were beaten. I would not make
that mistake again and in fact the soufflé would
happily serve as a main, possibly with a side
salad - what value for money that would be,
Monsieur Gourmand.
My main was the Pan seared scallops,
cauliflower purée with pancetta and
breadcrumbs – and a side of chips please?
70
Again, beaten but what incredible flavours and
texture. I adore scallops and find they can often
be over cooked. Not the case here. I didn’t need
the chips, particularly as Janie left most of hers
(even though they are the fattest, crispiest and
most delectable of pleasures) as her fish was
also incredibly generous. Janie would have
preferred crispier batter but thought the quality
and cooking of the fish to be outstanding.
The dessert was a masterpiece, both visually
and gastronomically – Dark chocolate mousse
with coffee cream, honeycomb, white chocolate
ice-cream on a toffee crumb. Again vast but
Louise assure me that ladies half our stature
(what was she implying?) easily manage 3 ‘full’
courses. Janie would have preferred the cream
on the side and Louise understood why this
would suit bona fide chocolate lovers…I was
happy either way. I would definitely recommend
this as a sharing dessert – and all for £6.50!
• 59 Main St, Wymondham, Melton Mowbray
LE14 2AG Tel: 01572 787587
www.theberkeleyarms.co.uk
STAMFORD LIVING APRIL 2016
70 FOOD.indd 1
21/03/2016 23:44