The Eagle's News

Evening News - Eating Out Review - No.1 The Eagle

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(Stars allocated out of five)

The Eagle on Newmarket Road has long been popular watering hole for residents living in the Golden Triangle.

For a pub that is only 10 minutes walk from the city, it has a large garden usually only boasted about by pubs out in the Norfolk countryside.

And while the Eagle could be regarded as a gastro pub, it has retained a lot of tradition and character to put it high above many other pubs in the area with a large vintage bar area and warm décor.

The pub manages to retain a busy and popular public bar, but the place exudes a classy feel that could easily match a top-notch restaurant in the city.

It has recently has a revamp and there is now a second eating area upstairs, to accommodate the growing number of people who choose to dine here.

The staff are always affable and forthcoming in the Eagle; even if you call up at the last minute for a table and the place is full, they will do their utmost to fit you in.

The seating areas are broken up into little alcoves, so if the pub is either empty or heaving, eating at the Eagle always feels like a nice intimate experience.

My friend and I shared a delicious starter of baked goats cheese and herb cheesecake serviced with a tangy tomato and pimento relish and fresh crusty bread.

The cheesecake pastry was crusty and the filling soft, perfectly complemented with the relish.

One each would have been a bit too much as it was quite filling and at £5.75 I thought this was very reasonably priced.

For main course, my friend had whole roast sea bass served with confit of fennel and spinach and creamed new potatoes.

Some people might regard £14.95 as fairly expensive for a main course, but for a main course, but this seemed a reasonable amount for the portion of sea bass was huge and well cooked – there skin was crispy and the fish white and juicy.

I opted for lasagne of mushrooms, spinach and goats’ cheese served with salad and fresh parmesan, for a very reasonable £9.75.

There was just about the right amount of goats’ cheese to accompany the vegetables and didn’t leave the sickly taste which large helpings of cooked cheese can sometimes leave in your mouth.

The meal was washed down with a bottle of house red, a very tasty Australian Merlot, and the bill came to a very reasonable £44.

Staff at the Eagle constantly aim to keep things interesting.

The menu changes regularly and Sunday nights are renowned for showcasing local musical talent, often a jazz band to help you sit back and relax with a drink after a hectic weekend.

Now the increased space upstairs paves the way for even more gastronomical delights to be stirred up at The Eagle.

Definitely worth a visit.

Sarah Hall

www.eveningnews24.co.uk/content/EatingOut/story.aspx