Following the success of Rivo Lounge in Chippenham, I was eager to try out John Paine’s new rival restaurant The Garden just across the road.
As the name would suggest the theme of the restaurant is fairly obvious and it’s certainly very different to the many successful country pubs around the county.
Arriving slightly ahead of my friends I had plenty of time to take in the decor as the waitress took my drink order.
From the planted pots on the table with our reservation name and time on it, to the nature-themed artwork and the bamboo across the radiators and the ceiling you can see Mr Paine’s intention to create the feeling of eating outside.
I found it good fun, it’s something different and even the food is served on wooden boards with vegetables served in small plant pots and sides on terracotta-style saucers.
Although I went for the Barcelona lager Estrella Damm, there were three more local choices from Bath Ales on tap for those looking for an ale or cider.
The barbeque-inspired menu contained lots of tempting ideas split into boards, burgers, sausages and fish, pots for with chips, potatoes or rice and saucers for sides and sauces.
Despite the tempting looking wild boar and apple sausages and Bath Ale battered fish, I went for the garden burger and triple cooked chunky chips and beer battered onion ring tower.
The burger was a very good size and very flavoursome while the chunky chips lived up to their name with a lovely crisp exterior and soft middle; with the onion rings as well it was an appetising trio.
My friend said her lamb and mint burger was similarly tasty, well cooked and a good portion size, her accompanying coleslaw was nice and crunchy too.
After such an excellent main, I wasn’t sure whether to go for a dessert or not but a friend who has already visited The Garden had forewarned me that they were worth trying – I’m very glad I did.
The homemade chocolate brownie with Marshfield ice cream was excellent, a crunchy top to the brownie with a soft and rich centre it was extremely good.
In total my two courses and a single drink came to £19.30 which I felt was perfectly fine for the high-quality of the food and polite service I’d received.
I’d recommend booking as this popular outlet isn’t the biggest inside but it’s definitely worth a visit.
ANDREW LAWTON
FACTFILE:
The Garden
Where: 15-17 The Bridge, Chippenham
Tel: (01249) 465672
Email: info@thegardenuk.co.uk
Open: Monday closed; Tuesday-Thursday 10am-10pm; Friday-Saturday 10am-11pm; Sunday 10am-5pm
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