In a nutshell
With The Royal Oak’s monthly Meat Free Monday continually selling out, SoGlos was eager to get involved and try out the plant-based treats; thanks to an exciting menu and perfectly prepared dishes, we weren’t disappointed.
The review
Everyone welcome
Brimming with quintessential Cotswold charm, The Royal Oak Tetbury is everything you’d want from a country pub; the inviting atmosphere and cosy setting is perfect for relaxing with a pint or meal.
Visiting to try out its Meat Free Monday offering, we were looking forward to feasting on plant-based Indian delights. With one vegan and one carnivore in the party, it would be interesting to see if the latter would find the meal satisfying…
And luckily, the innovative menu proved an undoubtable hit! Created by The Natural Cookery School’s Erin Baker, the two-course Indian dinner featured classic favourites along with unfamiliar ingredients… and we were only too excited to find out what would be served up.
A slice of the exotic
An Indian Summer-themed menu, the main course encompassed an onion bhaji with tamarind chutney; lemon rice; kachumba salad; and a squash, aubergine and cashew curry.
Artfully presented – which can be hard with a curry – the dish was packed with flavour, from the rich curry and crispy bhajis, to the zesty lemon rice. And while we’d never heard of ‘kachumba’, it turned out to be a lovely, fresh accompaniment which complemented the warming curry.
Filling and bursting with Indian tastes, it’s hard to imagine anyone wanting anything else from the dish – as proved by my meat-eating husband saying that the meal was absolutely delicious.
A sweet finish
The dessert delivered another intriguing dish – a carrot halwa with cashews, raisins and cardamom. With our server admitting that she’d only seen the dessert made with dairy, we were excited to try the vegan version!
The sweet treat was certainly unlike anything I’ve had before; resembling a crumble filling, the halwa was light with a gooey texture and fantastic flavours. Indulgent without being heavy, it was lovely to try something totally different which was in keeping with the Indian theme.
SoGlos loves
With a puppy that couldn’t be left at home, we were delighted that The Royal Oak Tetbury welcomes two- and four-legged visitors. Even better, with a jar of dog treats by the bar, man’s best friend is well catered for at the Cotswold pub.
Top tip
Meat Free Mondays take place monthly and have a themed menu each month. November will be a Mexican Fiesta, while December will be The Christmas Cracker. With both offering irresistible dishes, those who want a seat should book well in advance, as the events are proving increasingly popular… and it’s no surprise why!
What next?
For more information, see The Royal Oak Tetbury, call (01666) 500021, or visit theroyaloaktetbury.co.uk directly.
