Feast your senses (Egypt Mill)

Member Name: Bryn Pearson

Product:	Egypt Mill
Date:	24/04/03 (653 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: excellent food, good atmosphere

Disadvantages: none

The Egypt Mill is a restaurant in Nailsworth, Gloucestershire, and it's an absolute gem. The building was, in its original incarnation, a Mill, powered by the stream that runs past it. Many of the original features, including the water wheel, remain, making it a place with plenty of character. It's not quite like anywhere else, and if you find those themed pubs a bit grim, this may well suit you.

You pull up into the car park (it isn't easy to do on public transport, this is rural Gloucestershire and there aren't many buses). The car park is uneven, so be careful if you've worn heeled shoes. Before you is the mill, you can hear the sound of running water, there's lights, climbing plants and already the atmosphere is promising. To your right as you face the building, is a cycle path following the old railway line - pleasant to walk along after a meal if you want to meander through the trees in the moonlight for some extra romance. If you want a 14 mile round trip, you can follow said cycle path to Stonehouse and back.

You cross a small wooden bridge over the stream, and then you are inside. Downstairs there's seating and a bar, there's more upstairs - I hear rumour that upstairs is a tad more formal and they tend to put on dances, but have not ventured up there myself. The decor is unpretentious, there's quite a lot of wood, tiled floor, some windows. Lighting is subtle and pleasant. If you've booked a table, you have but to present yourself at the bar, otherwise you will have to see what they've got. It is best to book in advance as this place is very popular. You can take quite large parties - I've been in groups of twenty or so, they are very good about accomodating groups, but you really do need to book in advance.

The staff are friendly, and from the moment you arrive you will feel welcome. You can get a drink from the bar and then, once you are shown to your seat, you can peruse the menu
and specials boards.

Starters cost three or four pounds - I'm a couple of years out of date here, but I doubt it has changed much. Typical starters include melon, pate, prawn coctail, soup of the day, garlic mushrooms. Everything is cooked to order, to expect a bit of a wait. Starters are generous and invariably tastey. I've tried most of them, and like them all, althought the garlic mushrooms (usually served with grilled cheese and a few prawns) are my favourite.

Main course - anything from six to fifteen pounds. There's a huge range, which does vary from time to time. There's always some sort of pasta dish, quite often fish and pasta. There's always some sort of steak option, and something vegeterian. Memorbale meals include the enormous steak and kidney pudding, the chicken and ham pie, salmon tagliatelli, beef in guiness. The do excellent duck dishes quite often, there's fish and chips for the less adventurous, often there's a curry option. Some options, like the curry will come with specific side dishes, but for must there's a choice - boiled or roast potatoes, or chips, and a selection of veg - a wonderful cauliflower cheese, salads, trays of mixed seasonal veg - that sot of thing. All fresh and freshly cooked. If you take a large party, this works slightly differently and you end up with a selection of veg to partake of rather than specific individual orders.

Puddings. They were about three pounds fifty a piece last time I was there. The range will typically include fruit salad, cheese and biscuits, cheesecake, a couple of hot puddings - perhaps apple pie and custard, or a hot toffee pudding. There's a selection of icecreams, something resembling 'death by chocolate' and all of it is yummy. The only problems I have are finding room for a pudding after the very generous starter and main course, and, working out which one to have.

Drinks - aside from all the usual stuff you migh
t expect to find in a bar, the Egypt Mill offers a selection of coffee liqures, quite expensive but very indulgent if you like that sort of thing - the perfect way to end off a meal if you ask me.

In many ways the Egypt Mill is akin to a pub eating expereince - prices are quie modest, plates are piled high and there's a lot of traditional food here and nothing too fussy. However, the quality is reliably excellent, and in the unlikely circumstances that something is not to your liking, you can send it back and have another one delivered promptly. The staff look after you well - its most certainly not posh-restaurant style waiting - more casual and informal, but very attentive, polite and helpful, which counts for a lot more if you ask me. The staff create a relaxed environment and its easy to really enjoy yourself.

The food is superb - I've been there at least half a dozen times and each time both food and service were faultless. You can spend a very pleasant evening with friends or family, eating a good meal, taking your time over it, having a few drinks and relaxing. It makes for a very good night out - something a bit special that won't break the bank or require you to hire a suit.

The layout of the restaurant is good - it isn't too cramped and it is easy enough to get about. There are a few steps so it would be harder for ayone on wheels. While I haven't been there since the advent of baby, I recall is seeming quite child friendly. There's an outside area, although I've not eaten out there, and the place does have a lovely atmosphere. Ideal for a quiet and sociable night out - it is always fairly quiet, it attracts people who want to enjoy food rather than people who want to shout at big screens. I would heartily recomend it as a place to eat.

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