Diners at Alfonso's are simply spoilt for choice

Lindi Bilgorri finds the only problems with Alfonso's, Cookham, are finding it and then choosing which delicious dish to eat.

FINDING Alfonso's could be a problem for some. Instead of it being in a picturesque part of Cookham, it is in the centre of the rather bland, modern shopping centre that looks so out of place in the pretty village.

Once you step inside the restaurant, its fresh, cool, green and white decor immediately makes you feel relaxed and ready to dine - whether it be lunch or dinner.

Alfonso's is not a very big restaurant, but that makes it all the more friendly and homely.

A row of green plants is at the entrance, bringing a freshness to the place. The large window at the front lets in light through the fragile, silk-looking, cream, tie-backed curtains. Against the white walls are a few large, white-framed mirrors and all the tables are covered with green table cloths.

Just as the decor is fresh, so too is the food.

At Alfonso's my dining partner and I could choose between a starter and the main course or a main course and a pudding for the fixed price meal.

Alfonso's menu is full of interesting and out of the ordinary dishes to entice you. None of the meals I would be prepared to cook at home - which is all part of the dining-out experience.

We were served by the owner of the restaurant who runs the place with his wife and his brother-in-law, who is the chef. He was charming and friendly with just enough familiarity to make you feel at ease.

For starters, my dining partner and I were spoilt for choice. We could choose between Tataki of red snapper with a soy dressing, lamb's kidneys with mustard cream or wild mushroom risotto.

My dining partner chose the wild mushroom risotto, which she simply described as 'yummy'. The risotto, she said, was very moist and the taste of the wild mushrooms came through.

I chose Tataki of red snapper with a soy dressing. The dish was presented on the plate with a mound of different kinds of lettuces, on top of which were slithers of red snapper with soy sauce poured over the top.

The meal had a fresh taste from the crisp lettuce and cold fish. The soy sauce complemented it beautifully, adding a little twang to the meal.

Again, the chef came up with some novel dishes for the main course. We could choose between lamb's liver with onions, chargrilled, boneless chicken marinated Tex-mex style and smoked haddock with a chive cream.

My dining partner went for the fish this time. She said the saltiness of the smoked haddock blended perfectly with the chive cream sauce, which, although creamy, was light.

My chargrilled boneless chicken marinated Tex-mex style had a tangy and spicy sauce which also blended perfectly with the succulent chicken.

Both meals were served with potatoes and greens. The meals were beautifully cooked and all the food was fresh.

Although we were eating a fixed price meal, for an extra £2.50 a pudding was on offer, but we were so full we decided to decline.

So our taste-buds, but definitely not our girth, missed out on praline and chestnut terrine with cream, poached pears with a chocolate sauce and strawberries and cream. Ahhhh!

To complete our meal we had coffee and, unlike so many restaurants in England, we could have more than one cup for the same price. What a delight! Two menu prix fixe @ £7.50 each: £15

Mineral water for two: £2.50

Coffee: £3.00

Total excluding service charge: £20.50

This is an independent review. Quality of food: Excellent. Fresh, beautifully cooked and very tasty.

Quantity of food: Good

Value for money: Excellent

If the restaurant were a woman it would be: Isabella Rossellini Alfonso's 18-21 Station Hill Parade, Cookham. Telephone: (01628) 25775

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