It’s been an impressive year or so for Brocco on the Park. On top of its inclusion in the 2017 Michelin Guide, the venue was named City Hotel of the Year by the Good Hotel Guide, picked up a silver award in the UK’s Free From Eating Out awards and won Best Restaurant (Out of Town) at last month’s Exposed Awards. After taking our seats in the dining area on a sunny afternoon, such accolades come as no real surprise; it’s a gorgeous place to unwind in, with its stylish, Scandi-inspired décor and serene atmosphere making it a popular setting for Sheffield diners – whether it’s breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner.
We were invited down to try the restaurant’s new lunch menu, a Nordic-inspired tapas offering with around 20 dishes to choose from. There were four present from Team Exposed, and in the true spirit of tapas lunching we decided to order two to three dishes each and share the lot. Standouts from the plethora of well-presented small plates brought to the table included juicy venison meatballs in cranberry jam, celeriac and red cabbage slaw; wild mushrooms on toasted rye bread, served in a very tasty truffle and tarragon sauce; fresh smoked salmon fish cakes; and the succulent Brocco mini beef burgers, topped with Yorkshire blue cheese and bursting with flavour. Providing great accompaniment for these slightly more substantial dishes were smaller, snacky options such as the moreish halloumi fritters, served in red onion jam and herb pesto – which, along with the crispy chicken wings, sweet potato waffles and crispy kale dish, were enthusiastically picked upon by all throughout the meal.
With just about enough room to squeeze in dessert, I opted for the staple classic of sticky toffee pudding. I’ve often found that when it comes to appeasing a sweet tooth, there’s nothing wrong with sticking to the classics; and the winning traditional flavours and sumptuous clotted cream ice cream proved this theory right again. My co-diners’ selections of passion fruit crème brûlée and chocolate mousse with blood orange coulis and chocolate soil were also very well-received and rounded the afternoon off brilliantly.
Clean, crisp surroundings, faultless service and a strong selection of appetising dishes with a creative Scandi twist entirely justifies the honours recently bestowed upon Brocco on the Park. Plus, with its inviting outdoor terrace (not to mention impressive wine list), it’s a great tip for a spot of al fresco dining now that sunnier times beckon. We’ll certainly be back soon.
Brocco on the Park
92 Brocco Bank, Sheffield S11 8RS
0114 266 1233
www.brocco.co.uk
