EDWARD MOON (Stratford-upon-Avon)
Verdict 7.5/10 (2 course lunch for £ 9.95 is a steal !)
A weekday in August 2008, two of us visited Edward Moon for lunch. We entered the place at about half past 1 o'clock and then only a couple of tables were occupied. I presume, however, it had been busier before, as one of the items on lunch menu was already sold out.
Edward Moon is situated on one of the main touristic streets of Stratford-upon-Avon. From outside it looks like a chic bistro, and the food on offer is I think I should define British, as it does not look anything else. According to the restaurant's website, Mr. Edward Moon isn't the name of the owner-chef, but an itinerant British chef of the first 20th century, who is the inspiration
This is how it looks in the inside. It is more spacious than it looks from the outside. Ambience is warm and relaxing: we liked it.
We were welcomed by a young man who looked like a manager or owner. He gave us a choice of tables and then handed to us a-la-carte menu and drink menu. Besides these printed menus, there were 'today's special' board and lunch menu board on the wall. We opted for lunch menu, 2 courses for £ 9.95: 3 starters and 3 mains to choose from (no vegetarian choice, and no pudding choice). Today's special dishes looked very good as well. I would have gone for them, if it were for dinner.
This is my starter: breaded whitebaits with garlic mayo. The fish tasted as good as they should. The garlic mayo did not taste much garlic, but, anyway, I did not need it, as the saltiness of whitebaits and tanginess of lemon were enough as seasoning. The side salad was nice mixture of light, refreshing leaves dressed with fruity virgin olive oil.
My dining companion went for vegetable soup, rather than the other choice, prawn and avocado salad, wanting to know how the chef can make a soup anything of interest. The portion was generous and accompanied by slices of bread and butter. She was very happy with her choice.
For one of three main dishes - fish pie - was sold out, so we both chose chicken dish, ignoring rather un-inspiring grilled sausage and mashed potato.
The breast of chicken was cooked to perfection, kept to be moist all through. The meat was slit in the middle and smeared with green paste. I did not quite make out what it was but at least contained some herbs and shallot or/and garlic. It gave a nice accent to the chicken.
Cream sauce contained not only the field (button) mushrooms, but also porcini and what I suspect is preserved mushroom mix, sort of thing we buy as 'antipasto di funghi' from delicatessen or supermarket. The dominant flavour was that of porcini, and my dining mate was thrilled to find a very tiny mushroom cap (which I think was from mushroom mix). The buttery sauce was very moreish and we both loved it.
The 'bed of vegetable' was made of broccoli, carrot, leek and 1 mange-tout (yes, we had one each). Leek was too under-cooked to my taste, but some people might like it as they were and my dining mate did not seem to care. Although the carrots did not really of anything, but, together with broccoli, they were nicely cooked 'al dente'.After the second course, we were offered dessert menu, but at this point we ran of time and left, although we would love to try something out. £ 9.95 for such a nicely cooked food is really a steal, especially when you realised it is in the touristic centre of Stratford. I would be happy to return for dinner.
EDWARD MOON (or MOON'S RESTAURANT) 9 Chapel Street
Stratford-upon-Avon
Tel: 01789 267069
Fax: 01789 299188
http://www.edwardmoon.com/
