Saltwater Restaurant, Nottingham

...thing that hits you about Saltwater is the fabulous interior- decorated with bold wooden furniture and lots of natural themes (think cacti, dried plants, natural stone), all tastefully lit so that the place seems bright and airy without being overly harsh (I hate eating under bright neon lights- not at all intimate or romantic). Mind you, considering this place is in the fantasticly hip Corner House, one should expect this. However, once inside you ...
...third floor of the complex, Saltwater boasts a fantastic view of the city skyline. The whole side of the restaurant is a giant window, leading onto a beautiful patio where summer diners can eat or drink. So whereever you sit, you can admire the view & some superb sunsets.

Now the service and the drinks. We were shown to our table and a drinks list appeared shortly after. Saltwater boasts an impressive cellar, and trying to choose the ... more

The first thing that hits you about Saltwater is the fabulous interior- decorated with bold wooden furniture and lots of natural themes (think cacti, dried plants, natural stone), all tastefully lit so that the place seems bright and airy without being overly harsh (I hate eating under bright neon lights- not at all intimate or romantic). Mind you, considering this place is in the fantasticly hip Corner House, one should expect this. However, once inside you completely forget you are essentially in a shopping centre.

At the entrance there is a small cocktail bar, and as you travel into the place there is the larger wine bar. The next thing to hit you is the view. Being on the third floor of the complex, Saltwater boasts a fantastic view of the city skyline. The whole side of the restaurant is a giant window, leading onto a beautiful patio where summer diners can eat or drink. So whereever you sit, you can admire the view & some superb sunsets.

Now the service and the drinks. We were shown to our table and a drinks list appeared shortly after. Saltwater boasts an impressive cellar, and trying to choose the 'one' from the many can be a task! The drinks can be quite expensive, especially the wine, with the cheapest starting at £13-£15 a bottle going ALL the way up, with many that can be bought by the glass. Needless to say, from the cheaper to the moderatly expensive stuff, we've never had a bad bottle. Also the list is categorised with an honest description of each bottle. As for the general service, when this place is quiet, expect exceptional, but not intrusive service, when it is busy, you may be waiting a while. Not that it matters, because even at the busiest times the staff remain polite, helpful & unflusetered.

Anyway, that's the appearances covered, next, the food. The menu focuses on good food, well prepared. Although at first the menu may seema little limited, this is because the menu is changed very regularly to make use of seasonal ingredients, and also the food is very pick and mix (for the main course, you choose your cut of meat or fish, then the sauce, then the sides from a long list) so although the menu looks short, it is by no means limited. Starters iclude a soup of the day, and dishes such as confit of duck or tataki of beef. The portions are just right- enough to whet the apetite, but not enough to ruin it. The vegetarian options can seem limited, but I am sure the quality is high- the real pleasure in Saltwater is for the carnivour. They serve high quality meat & fish, including daily specials, simply chargrilled with tasty sauces, as well as rice and pasta options. Last time I ate there I had rump of lamb with a claret & truffle jus & garlic mash. The lamb was superb, lean and meltingly tender. My partner opted for scallops & Tiger tail prawns with red pepper sauce-again cooked to perfection and tasting as good fish should. They were both served with fresh vegetables, cooked until crisp, retaining bite and wonderful flavour.

If, after all this you still have room, the deserts are delicious, as are the handmade chocolates. All the puds can be very rich, so I'd advise sharing. There is also a good selection of ports and other after dinner drinks.

All in all, saltwater is a fantastic place, especially for a special occassion. It's also good to note that they have a exciting looking luch and Sunday lunch menu which I've yet to try. The food may seem quite expensive, but it's of the highest quality, although it's more likely that the drinks will bump up the bill quite significantly! Still, if you want to impress, this is the place to go!

 

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