By Nicola Moyne
IF you're looking for a romantic venue in which to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year, you can’t go wrong with Café Rouge in Chelmsford.
Cleverly designed to be both chic and cosy, the restaurant in Moulsham Street oozes Parisian sophistication and scented candles, scarlet booths and artistic wall hangings work together to create an amorous atmosphere.
Unlike many chain restaurants, Café Rouge has an inviting warmth that encourages you to wile away the hours over a bottle of wine, and when I visited the venue last week with a friend, I was impressed with both the ambience, and the food.
On top of its usual French-inspired dishes, Café Rouge is also offering two special Valentine’s menus for loved ones this month, and whether you’re in the mood for a three-course meal, or a light brunch, the restaurant has it covered.
I sampled dishes from the three-course offering, and plumped for the duck and champagne pate dish with onion chutney and toasted french baguette for starters (delicious), followed by fillet steak with fries and melted garlic beurre maison for mains (tender, and beautifully cooked).
My friend meanwhile, chose a salad of crumbled Roquefort, pear, mange tout, walnuts and mixed leaves to begin with (wolfed it down and particularly enjoyed the walnut and Roquefort combination) and then tucked into the seafood casserole, which included chunks of salmon, mussels, carrot, leeks and new potatoes (fish heaven).
However, if those dishes don’t take your fancy, there’s always the lamb shank, crispy duck or mushroom and tarragon tart options for mains, and king prawns, filo pastry with goats cheese, or creamy mushroom and rosemary soup for starters to tempt you.
Then of course came dessert. For just £24.95 per person you can enjoy all three courses of an evening, and I would definitely recommend indulging in the warm chocolate and walnut brownie! Topped with chocolate ganache and vanilla ice cream, it was a sweet way to end the night, and although I was also itching to try the apple tart, passion fruit crème brulee and raspberry sorbet too, the chocolate treat was just too appealing to turn down!
If you’re just after a light bite though, head to the restaurant before 12 noon to order from the Valentine’s brunch menu. It boasts a traditional English breakfast, pancakes, scrambled egg and smoked salmon on toasted brioche and a poached egg, smoked ham and toasted English muffin dish, complete with your choice of hot or cold beverage… perfect for Valentine’s morning!
Both menus are available from 12 to 14 February, and dishes cost £12.95 per person from the brunch menu, or £24.95 per person from the three-course menu.
For details, or to book, visit www.cafe rouge.co.uk or call 01245 250 588.
n To celebrate Valentine’s Day, Cafe Rouge Chelmsford is giving one lucky couple a romantic meal there to the value of £50. To win, email admin@theenquirer.co.uk by 3pm on Friday.