|
|
Traditional Dining
with Sam McQueen
 Dining Out at the Venus Restaurant, Dinnington
The car park at the Venus Restaurant was overflowing at 8pm on Thursday. This was a surprise but we considered it a good sign for the evening. And so it proved to be.
The Venus is situated in the heart of Dinnington. The premises are a listed building dating back to the 1700s. The interior reflects the warmth and charm of the farmhouse it once was with its low, oak-beamed ceilings, but couples it with present-day decoration, lighting and discreet Venus de Milo statues.
Maria and I were greeted by the owner, Costas, and we were given the extensive menus in the comfortable lounge area after we had obtained our drinks from the small but well-stocked bar.
There are over 20 wide-ranging appetisers, from Barbecue Chicken Wings to Melon Pearls and Strawberries, from Deep Fried Brie to Greek Salad, but the pate maison had taken my eye, was smooth and wonderfully complemented by an onion marmalade. Maria’s smoked salmon wrapped round prawns in a Rose Marie sauce was a seafood extravanganza she really enjoyed.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Costas has owned the Venus for four years, but it has been in his family since 1991. The whole farmhouse was renovated back then, and has been refurbished again recently, but certain items were left in place, such as the hooks in the beams which were used for hanging and curing meat, and the large stone-backed fireplace.
