My friends and I wanted to go somewhere special, while at the same time supporting a local business. For us, there was no better choice than Le Mistral in Sherwood...
For starters, I had the French onion soup (£5.95). I was looking forward to it, and I wasn’t disappointed. It was deep brown in colour with slices of onions fighting for space in the rich liquid. It tasted delicious, and given the opportunity to have it as a main course I would have done. I ate it with my warmed gluten-free bread, which I ate with relish after smothering it in butter.
For our main course, we chose slow-cooked lamb shanks (£17.95), chicken and bacon fricassee (£13.95) and pan-fried haddock (£13.95). The lamb shank sat on top mashed potatoes covered in a rich gravy with roasted root vegetables, and it slipped off the bone with ease. It was a challenge deciding which to eat first – the rosemary and wine jus covered herb mash or the lamb. According to my friend the haddock was delicious too, and it wasn’t long before it was devoured. My other friend, who ordered the chicken and bacon fricassee, had eaten it several times before, and was pleased with her choice.
Because of the generous portions, the three of us were suitably podged, and only one of us dared to have dessert, choosing sticky toffee pudding and ice cream (£5.95). There’s no better pudding than warm, soft, sweet sponge on a cold evening, and it was the perfect dish to top off the meal.
We had a pleasant visit to Le Mistral, not only because of the food but because of the lovely warm welcome and service, despite the COVID-related changes. French cuisine is never second best, and to have a taste of that beauty locally is truly wonderful.
Mansfield Road, Sherwood, NG5 2JN
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