The rustic Firehouse Rotisserie, packed with couples, families and groups of young people like us, buzzed with chat and laughter. We sat in soft lighting with views of the quiet Bath street at one end of the restaurant and bustling activity in the open kitchen at the other. My two friends and
I ordered starters – stone-baked Mozzarella and prosciutto with rocket and balsamic dressing (£6.95), crispy vegetable dumplings with sweet chilli dip (£5.25) and a Chinese chicken salad with spicy sesame dressing, almonds and wontons (£5.95). Arriving promptly, they were a generous feast of flavoursome delights. The dressing gave the melt-in-the-mouth chicken salad a kick, while the dumplings were a concoction of light and crispy batter, paste-like filling and a superbly refreshing dip. The Mozzarella oozed with flavour, a truly moreish traditional dish.
The perfectly cooked char-grilled lamb cutlets with roasted sweetcorn salsa and chipotle cream (£14.95) shouldn't be ordered by those who avoid spicy food. "My mouth is on fire but it feels good!" proclaimed my friend Hannah. A beautiful fusion of colour, sweetness and spicy ginger was provided by the barbecue chicken pizza with red onion and coriander (£10.95). The one disappointment was my rather flavourless haddock with asparagus and lemon mint butter (£12.95). The chocolate brownie with coconut and pineapple ice cream (£4.95) I ordered to finish was unbelievable: squidgy, nutty, warm and divine. The atmosphere is inviting for 17-year-olds, but our delicate bank accounts might need the parental kiss of life for future visits.
Lois Fort
Firehouse Rotisserie
2 John Street, Bath, Somerset.
Tel 01225 482070; firehouserotisserie.co.uk
Prices correct at time of publication.