B’nou, Norwich, restaurant review: ‘An evening with a feeling of showmanship and intimacy’

It is one of the most difficult restaurants in Norwich to bag a reservation at, but Geraldine Scott managed to book a table at B'nou to find out exactly what the fuss is all about.

Food

It is one of the most difficult restaurants in Norwich to bag a reservation at, but Geraldine Scott managed to book a table at B'nou to find out exactly what the fuss is all about.

Food

I'm the first to admit it takes me an age to choose where I want to go out to eat, so I usually resort to looking online to find out what other people have enjoyed. And so for more than a year I've been trying to get a table at the restaurant found at the top of Tripadvisor for Norwich - B'nou.

It is unsurprisingly difficult to get a spot at the top-rated eatery where there is no menu, and the tapas dishes are presented to you at the table where you decide whether you will have a taste or not.

My colleague Jess and I - naturally - took on every plate, purely in the name of journalism of course.

First up, we were served bruschetta with Mediterranean roasted vegetables topped with Parmesan. Although not your normal bruschetta this was a little disappointing as a first dish, when we had expected great things. It was perfectly tasty and the vegetables did give it a difference, but we were hopeful the food would get a little more creative as the evening went on.

Our second dish, smoked mackerel with pickled beetroot, watercress and horseradish delivered just that - as did the next, halloumi baked in harissa with a pine nut cous cous. Both although containing familiar ingredients brought them together in a way which had a different taste.

The cod fillet, chorizo and black treacle beans and beef meatballs which followed were tasty - but again almost expected from a tapas restaurant, we were hoping the dishes would set themselves apart.

Originality came in the final three dishes - filo parcels filled with chicken and apricot, prawns in a spicy chilli garlic butter, and lamb with aubergine, olives, and chickpeas topped with almonds.

The filo parcels were rich and creamy with the apricot giving a welcome sweet tang. Whilst the prawns were plump and juicy. The lamb was delicious and tender, although possibly a little heavy for the final savoury course.

A choice was given for dessert, I had the raspberry and mascarpone tart and Jess had the lemon panna cotta. Both were light - which was needed after nine courses beforehand.

Overall, the food was delicious but some of it didn't live up to the expectation of being something a little different. I enjoyed the concept of having each dish presented to you, to decide whether you liked it or not. Jess, however, would have preferred a traditional menu.

Drinks

The drinks menu was pretty standard, but because we did not know what food was coming it was a little difficult to choose which wine we would have.

Ambience

It was the atmosphere of B'nou which I think was the takeaway star. Because there is only one sitting an evening there was a feeling of showmanship, and an intimacy which came with all being in for the same ride together. The quirky decor of the restaurant - combined with it only having a handful of tables - made it a different dining experience which I'd be pleased to enjoy again.

Service

Friendly, welcoming, chatty - what you would expect from a Norwich independent.

Loos

Just the one, but basic and clean.

Parking

Located on St Benedicts, you'd be lucky to grab a spot outside but there are a number of car parks in the city centre to make use of.

Location

B'nou is surrounded by a number of highly acclaimed restaurants, as St Benedicts cements its reputation as a foodie paradise.

Price

For nine dishes, plus a dessert each and a mid-range bottle of wine, £80.

Highlight

The out of the ordinary dishes were where it came alive, the filo parcels and the prawns especially. They fit with the Bohemian and intimate feel of a different type of night out.

In summary

We went wanting something different - and that on the whole is what we got. Imaginative food brought the alternative approach to serving into its own. I'd recommend giving it a try - if you can get a table.

This is an independent review.

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