Jay Rayner has criticised Roger Hickman's Restaurant in Norwich after visiting the establishment, but had kinder words for Shiki in Tombland on a trip to the city.
The Observer's food critic found little to rave about in the review where he referred to the partridge dish as a 'disaster' and even suggested the pumpkin soup could have been made from puppy.
It was not only the award winning chef's food that Rayner found issue with. He described the price of the wine as 'inexcusable in London, where rents and rates are astronomical, but here in Norwich it's close to shameless'.
Turning his attention to the vegetables, Rayner claimed that everything had been cooked to mush stating 'even the baby carrots can be turned into baby food with the back of a spoon'.
Rayner, who also appears as a critic on MasterChef, wrote how former Michelin-starred chef Hickman had encouraged him to visit his restaurant and greeted him after he had finished his meal.
But fans of Hickman jumped to his defence on Twitter, saying that the food at the restaurant is 'terrifically tasty' and pledging to return again.
Sarah Pettegree tweeted her support stating 'I'm sad @jayrayner1 didn't enjoy @rogerhickmans. On the plus side I like it a lot. Had some terrifically tasty food there. Long lunches rule.'
Jo Chandler showed her support for the restaurant; 'Never been one to take too much notice of restaurant reviews. Will have to try @rogerhickmans for myself.'
Carolyn Atkins referenced her enjoyable experience at the establishment tweeting 'Shame about @jayrayner1's review of @rogerhickmans. Have eaten there several times- the food has always been delicious and the prices fair.'
After his performance at the Playhouse, Rayner did find some culinary delight in Norwich, at the Japanese restaurant Shiki, situated in Tombland.
Despite his low expectations on arrival, Rayner described the sushi as 'terrific, not just for East Anglia but for anywhere in Britain'.
'It's a meal of simple joys that restores my faith,' he wrote.
•The EDP and Evening News approached Roger Hickman's Restaurant for comment
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