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Church Street Tavern

Essex, Colchester - Modern British - Restaurant - ££

Historic pub and restaurant with all-round appeal

Overall Rating: Good

Uniqueness:Does the establishment stand out in the context of the local area? Good

Deliciousness:How delicious is the food? Good

Warmth:How warm is the service and the hospitality in general? Good

Strength of recommendation:How enthusiastically and widely would you recommend the establishment? Good

Just off Colchester’s main drag, the Church Street Tavern is rightly popular and comfortable in its well-worn skin, providing happily for loyal regulars and passing trade. Downstairs is the bar, upstairs is the restaurant, where ‘classic, casual, celebratory food’ is the deal and service is ‘impeccable, warm and friendly’ throughout. Readers have praised the ‘unctuous’ open crab lasagne (‘rich and generous’) as well as smokey aubergine croquettes with goat’s cheese. Impressively rendered main courses might range from exceptionally tender pigeon (‘perfectly pink with beetroot and blackberries’) to monkfish grilled on the bone and served Indian-style with dhal and cauliflower. The repertoire also extends to rare-breed burgers and various pastas – perhaps spaghetti with cavolo nero pesto and Old Winchester cheese or hand-made tagliatelle with beef ragù, chilli and ricotta. To conclude, sticky date ...

Just off Colchester’s main drag, the Church Street Tavern is rightly popular and comfortable in its well-worn skin, providing happily for loyal regulars and passing trade. Downstairs is the bar, upstairs is the restaurant, where ‘classic, casual, celebratory food’ is the deal and service is ‘impeccable, warm and friendly’ throughout.

Readers have praised the ‘unctuous’ open crab lasagne (‘rich and generous’) as well as smokey aubergine croquettes with goat’s cheese. Impressively rendered main courses might range from exceptionally tender pigeon (‘perfectly pink with beetroot and blackberries’) to monkfish grilled on the bone and served Indian-style with dhal and cauliflower. The repertoire also extends to rare-breed burgers and various pastas – perhaps spaghetti with cavolo nero pesto and Old Winchester cheese or hand-made tagliatelle with beef ragù, chilli and ricotta. To conclude, sticky date pudding is freshened up with fig-leaf ice cream, and there’s a choc-chip take on baked Alaska with pistachio sablé – although the ‘perfect texture’ of a chocolate and blackberry panna cotta sealed the deal for one diner.

Linger over cocktails or enjoy something from the well-annotated wine list – maybe the ‘rich and textured’ notes of a 2022 Chardonnay from Danbury Ridge Estate near Chelmsford will take your fancy; there are plenty of 375ml carafe offers, too. ‘One of best evenings for sheer pleasure in many years,’ concluded a contented soul.

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VENUE DETAILS

3 Church Street
Colchester
Essex
CO1 1NFGB

01206 564325

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OTHER INFORMATION

Private dining room, Separate bar, Counter seating, Outdoor dining, Wheelchair access, Family friendly, Credit card required

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