Porters Restaurant, based in the renovated Cambrian Railway Building in Oswestry, never fails to impress – by day, or by night, says Suzanne Roberts.By day, Porters offers an excellent breakfast and lunchtime menu, along with a children’s menu and homemade puddings, in a relaxed cafe atmosphere.

By night, it is transformed into an elegant restaurant offering fine a la carte dining.

Porters originally opened its doors as a cafe back in June 2006 in the Cambrian building, the former railway station building on Oswald Road.

It has been stylishly and delicately refurbished, at a cost of £2.1 million and, along with Porters, it houses a film theatre, where visitors can explore the town’s railway history, shop and a tourist information centre.

It has stayed true to its roots, with its train carriage seating area and the paintwork matches the great Western Railway colours.

The evening restaurant, however, opened in January and is open every Friday and Saturday night.As one of the newest restaurants in Oswestry it is already establishing a reputation for fine food serving a selection of fresh local produce.

The launch of the evening restaurant comes following its successful themed nights held last year including Halloween and the 1940s Operation Home Front Festival.

Porters now plans to hold themed nights throughout the year, alongside its regular opening hours during the day and on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Having enjoyed lunch at Porters on more than one occasion, I couldn’t wait to taste the delights of its evening menu.

So having been unable to go out on Valentine’s Day with my boyfriend Carl, it was a nice surprise to find Porters was providing a set Valentine’s menu when we went out for a meal on February 16.

Valentine’s Day was its first themed night of the year, and the set menu was available until Saturday.

I was surprised to arrive at Porters on a cold, wet evening, to find we entered via an elegantly lit doorway, to the side of the main Cambrian Building entrance.

We were greeted by staff who welcomed us with a glass of Kir Royale cocktail on arrival and we took our seats in the “waiting room” while we perused the menu.

As a set menu there was an excellent range to suit all taste buds and was good value for money at £24.95 per head for three courses, including the Kir Royale and tea or coffee, with hand-made chocolate truffles to finish.

For starters we had a choice of chilli and tomato soup with herby croutons, chicken Caesar salad, field mushroom stuffed with Stilton, wrapped in Parma ham, on a bed of salad with a blue cheese dressing, or battered salmon goujons with a mint dip and salad garnish.

Having made our choices we took our seats at the stylishly decorated table, with black tablecloths, slate placemats, a rose on every table and each table was lit by candle-light.

For our starters, Carl opted for the chicken Caesar salad while I went for the field mushroom – and both were delicious, made with fresh, good quality ingredients.

For the main course, we both couldn’t resist the duck breast with passion fruit sauce. It came served with new potatoes and a selection of fresh vegetables.

I was very impressed with the portion size of the duck breast and it was cooked to perfection.

Other options on the menu for the main course included chicken stuffed with goat’s cheese and asparagus, wrapped in pancetta served with a white wine sauce, fillet beef stroganoff in a brandy, peppercorn and cream sauce, or sea bass fillets, pan fried with a chilli butter sauce.

The vegetarian option included Mediterranean vegetables, mushroom and tomato with pesto, wrapped in puff pastry with a tomato sauce.

For dessert, we both went for the same again as neither of us could resist the French torte with white chocolate sauce and cream.

The biscuit base was cooked to perfection and the chocolate filling was just right. With the contrast of white chocolate drizzled over it, with cream on the side – it was simply mouth-watering.

There was also a choice of chocolate fondue, strawberry and pink champagne jelly with caramelised strawberries and ice-cream or tiramisu for dessert.

Overall the portion sizes were just right for each course so we were pleasantly full by the end of our meal.

We were both very impressed with the quality and value of the food, and the service was also excellent.

Wherever possible, Porters sources fresh local food which makes the most of the excellent local produce of Oswestry and the borderlands. Every menu is freshly prepared – and all this was evident.

Porters Restaurant is definitely making its mark as a first rate evening restaurant in Oswestry and I will certainly be returning to sample the regular evening menu.

The evening menu looks excellent. For starters choices include, smoked salmon and haddock fishcake, chef’s home-made soup and pan fried strips of duck in plum sauce.

Main courses include beef bourguignon slowly braised with red wine, tagliatelli with chicken tossed with a chilli and lemon sauce and slow braised shank of lamb. Vegetarian options are also available.

The dessert menu meanwhile offers a wide range, from tangy lemon meringue, sticky toffee pudding and a local farmhouse ice-cream.

To book a table or to find out more email to reserve@porters-dining.co.uk

Contact details

Porters Restaurant, Oswald Road, Oswestry

Telephone 01691 655111

MENU SAMPLE

Starters

Creamy garlic mushrooms (£4.95)

Pan fried strips of duck in plum sauce (£5.95)

Main courses

Slow braised shank of lamb (£12.95)

Duck breast served pink with a shallot, redcurrant, thyme and red wine sauce (£14.95)

Sides

Chunky wedges (£1.50)

Garden salad (£1.50)

Desserts

Tangy lemon meringue (£4.45)

Caramel chocolate cheesecake (£4.95)

Fair trade coffee

ATMOSPHERE

Elegant, with background music playing

SERVICE

Excellent. The waiting-on staff were attentive, friendly and efficient.

DISABLED FACILITIES

Disabled toilet available