If there is an R in the month then our beautiful local mussels are on offer, the rest of the year we offer New Zealand green lipped mussels, they are still tasty but not as good as local Morston mussels, they are completely different. Morston mussels are plump and juicy and New Zealand mussels are flatter and not so moist. The original ten minute supper. A pot of blue-black mussels steams in seconds with a glass of wine and a handful of aromatics – by which we mean parsley, peppercorns and a bayleaf. The bay will do nothing in terms of flavour, but it does look the part. You can be too practical. Covered with a tight lid and cooked until the shells are open, three minutes or less, there will be supper in no time at all. Pull the little wobbly orange mussels apart with your fingers and dunk your bread in the broth. And the steam, fishy and salty, will smell wonderful. Alternatively when the mussels are not in season steam New Zealand mussels in garlic and tarragon butter, absolutely gorgeous. COME TO THE OLD FORGE SEAFOOD RESTAURANT AND HAVE THEM HERE WITH OUR OWN HOME BAKED BREAD.
We are making a special Diamond Jubilee Dish which is one of Colin’s own special creations. Strips of fillet steak with prawns in a lobster and brandy sauce, yum, yum. A dish fit for a queen. Come in and give it a try. We are also doing a special of baked clams for a starter, very popular. We have just bought a new CD called Paris cafe with lovely french sounding music on. The atmosphere is wonderful in the restaurant with a real feeling of being in the South of France in a little French seafood restaurant, all we need is the weather to go with it!!!!!
Why does everyone turn their noses up when I tell them we have a special of one dozen snails in garlic and tarragon butter for a starter. They are absolutely gorgeous with a big dunk of home baked bread. Come in and give them a try, it is worth it.
Home made lobster bisque
Poached salmon with lemon and parsley butter
Chocolate profiteroles
WHAT MORE DO YOU WANT!! ONLY £17.50
We have just had our inspection from the District Council Health Inspector and we have received 5 stars again for cleanliness. This is almost impossible to achieve in a kitchen so we are all very pleased. We have also been inspected by the Fire Service and have received a certificate of excellence for safety in our B&B rooms. Why not come and stay with us to see for yourselves!! The food is pretty good too!!
Our documentary was aired recently in Belgium, Switzerland and Holland. The feedback was amazing. People all across Europe do not agree with the way Tripadvisor works and how unfair it can be. Recently Tripadvisor put on their website a new way of reviewing, basically you do not have to review, just put in a rating. I discovered some ratings on our restaurant and after some investigation found that anyone can just put one star and not write anything to support the star. Anybody was able to just put anything down as a rating and never have set foot in our establishment. I decided to try this system out and put one star for a pub down the road, it was published!!!! I have never set foot in this pub!!! I took it off once I had done the investigation. What a farce!! I complained to Tripadvisor and they have had thousands of complaints about this system and have since taken it down. No doubt they will find another way of allowing people to put false and fake reviews and ratings down though. What a dreadful website Tripadvisor is.
The clocks are going back and the weather is getting better. Easter is around the corner. There are many lovely things to do in Norfolk. Bluebell woods are plentiful in North Norfolk and there are many lovely walks to enjoy. The Peddars Way & Norfolk Coast Path starts in Suffolk at Knettishall Heath Country Park and follows the route of a Roman road to Holme-next-the-Sea on the North Norfolk Coast. At Holme the Peddars Way meets the Norfolk coast path as it runs from Hunstanton to Cromer. Fantastic scenery and landscape cover the 93 miles of the two trails of the Peddars Way and Norfolk Coast Path. The majority of the Trails run through the Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Brecks, a unique area of forest, heath and low river valleys. All of Peddars Way can be reached from The Old Forge in ten minutes by car. Why not stay with us and enjoy this breathtaking scenery and return to a mouthwatering seafood meal using all local seafood from the Norfolk coast.
Skate with black butter is one of our specials and one of our favourites with our customers. Skate is in season from September to April. The only parts eaten are the wings which are sold whole from young skate or sliced from larger fish.
2lb skate, 2oz butter, 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar, court bouillon, 2 teaspoons capers, 2 teaspoons chopped parsley, salt and freshly ground back pepper.
Simmer the skate in the court bouillon for 15-20 minutes or until tender. Remove from pan, drain and dry on kitchen paper. Set aside and keep warm on a serving dish. Heat butter in pan until it turns a rich brown colour. Stir in the vinegar and capers and boil for 2-3 minutes to reduce slightly. Pour over the fish, sprinkle with the parsley and serve immediately. Serves 4. Yum Yum!
For court bouillon, simmer a carrot, an onion, a clove, a bouquet garni, 8 peppercorns and a pinch of salt in 2 pints of water and 2 tablespoons vinegar for 15-20 minutes. Strain.
Opening Oysters – Wrap one hand in a tea towel and place the oyster in it, put your hand on a work top, push the point of an oyster knife or small, thick-bladed knife into the hinge of the oyster and, using firm but not excessive pressure, work the knife backwards and forwards into the shell, breaking the hinge. As the hinge breaks, twist the point of the knife to lever the shell up then slide the knife under the top shell to sever the ligament that joins the oyster to the shell. The ligament is slightly off to the right of centre of the oyster. Lift off the top shell keeping the bottom shell upright at all times to avoid losing any of the juice. Pick out any little pieces of shell that might have broken off. ALTERNATIVELY, COME TO THE OLD FORGE AND WE WILL DO IT ALL FOR YOU!!
Tables are still available for Valentine’s night. Don’t forget to book. Come and see what special little treat is on your table for your romantic meal out. Why not make a night out of it and stay in one of our romantic rooms for only £65 for the night including breakfast.
