Best Restaurants in Hertfordshire- Zebra Riding Club Review

We enjoyed our jaunt to Hertfordshire’s Crockers some months ago and just before the country locked down again we managed to fit in a visit to another of the best restaurants in Hertfordshire- The Zebra Riding Club. This new venture from acclaimed chefs Robin Gill and Ben Rand is based in the grounds of Birch so ideal if you wish to stay over after your meal.

The website gives a good insight into your dining experience, stating that ‘The Zebra Riding Club is a restaurant led by nature – using the growing farm, woods, and produce surrounding it throughout the year’. The set menu is based on what’s best at the time from the farm, surrounding farms, and a little further afield. Arrive with an open mind.

Snacks:

We start with a selection of snacks which are all delicious and offer a wide range of fresh flavours. The squash tartlet with a hint of Cashel blue cheese was the unanimous favourite.

Sourdough:

Next came a large hunk of fabulous porridge sourdough bread which is baked on site. A pot of outstandingly good whipped butter with a generous addition of miso was served alongside and ideal to dredge your bread through. Also with tasty house preserves.

The Coop:

The Coop is a small inviting bowl containing heritage grains, a rich and earthy mushroom dashi, and a suggestion of shellfish XO. Sitting proudly on top is a perfectly cooked soft boiled egg.

The main course:

The main course (AKA the feast) arrives next. Two generous slices of Swaledale venison leg meat are plated with purple sprouting broccoli. The accompanying Cannellini beans are cooked with a little garlic which adds a lovely flavour. We also get a bowl of slow cooked venison, topped with a punchy red cabbage pickle and a sizzling plater of bitter leaves and oven roasted beets. This is indeed a feast.

Cheese:

We opt for the additional cheese course. A fresh raw goats milk cheese which is served with local honey and crisp shards of flat bread.

Dessert:

Finally, a brilliant dessert. A fragrant and luxurious lemon-balm rice pudding served with a smooth, fresh fig leaf ice cream and an aged balsamic fig. Unusual, interesting and packed with flavour.

A very tasty little petit fours with coffee. A great end to a great meal.

Best restaurants in Hertfordshire:

We would definitely recommend a visit to the Zebra Riding Club. It has a relaxed, casual feel with all of the enjoyment of really well cooked, interesting food. We hope to return as soon as possible!

For more of our restaurant recommendations here.