When I was offered the chance to try the new festive menu at the Oak House Restaurant I jumped at the chance – after all, these days, it’s not very often the Other Half and I manage to go out-out.

The restaurant, which forms part of Moddershall Oaks Spa, near Stone, launched a new menu this week after previously undergoing a rather impressive refurbishment. With a table booked for 7pm we decided to arrive a little earlier so we could try a cocktail and experience the upstairs bar area.

Now, I’ve eaten in the restaurant before – but it was a few years ago before the extension and so arriving at the Oak House felt like a whole new experience. Tastefully decorated with a relaxing atmosphere, the bar was quiet with just two other people supping a pint, so we decided on a ginger sour and pornstar martini (well, you have to, don’t you?!) to start our evening.

READ:You can get a carvery for free if you finish one weird dessert | To be honest, you might be better off just paying for it

READ:Award-winning father and son coffee specialists open cafe | And it sounds amazing!

A couple of sips in and it was time to be seated for our evening meal. We were shown to our table – a window seat overlooking the lake which we could only imagine how stunning it was. Alas, in the dark, we couldn’t see much except the twinkling lights on a pergola.

Having already perused the festive Sunday menu before we even stepped foot into the Oak House I knew exactly what I was ordering. A starter of salmon and fresh dill fishcake followed by a main of roast topside beef. The OH went for the soup of the day which was a delightfully tasty tomato soup and, sticking with Christmas tradition opted for the roast turkey crown.

The starters were exceptional (indeed mine was served on a plate made by Churchill China), with the two fishcakes full of flavour and served on a lemon and garlic aioli and a garnish of crispy roasted peas. The soup was served with warm freshly made bread.

The mains were equally as impressive. The roast beef – and there was plenty of it – was cooked to perfection and was served with creamed and roast potatoes, as well as a delightfully tasty braised red cabbage and sauteed carrots. The gravy was thick and tasty and the pièce de résistance was the huge homemade Yorkshire pudding on top. Just perfect.

The OH’s turkey was equally as good – cooked very moist and served with a sage and cranberry stuffing, roast potatoes, wrapped chipolates and gravy – though he thoroughly enjoyed it I did notice him eyeing up my Yorkshire pud (and I was not sharing)

In fact, just after we arrived at the restaurant – which welcomed quite a few people while we were there – I did overhear a woman ask for the turkey with a Yorkshire pudding and I’m pretty sure she got what she asked for (we’ll know for next time!)

And so, onto the desserts. Now, I’m not a pudding person to be honest but it would’ve been rude not to have tried a dessert and so I went right in for the white chocolate cheesecake which was served with Chantilly cream and banana caramel – absolutely lush.

In sticking with the true festive tradition, the OH decided on the Christmas pudding with brandy custard. I didn’t think I would be able to manage a sweet but it was so delicious it would’ve been such a shame to leave any and judging by the OH’s plate he obviously felt the same way.

Although the food and presentation was exceptional (compliments to the chef and team) what made the evening equally as impressive was the staff and attention to detail. They were attentive without being overbearing, friendly and chatty without being intrusive and incredibly professional and polite. Nothing seemed to be too much trouble for them and they made us feel incredibly relaxed, so much so it was a shame to leave.

No doubt we will be back before Christmas though – I need to work my way through that menu!

The festive Sunday menu is available now and costs £21 for two-courses and £26 for three-courses.

For more information or to book a table, take a look here.

Starters:

Homemade soup of the day

Festive chicken liver parfait

Asian style port spring roll

Baked goats cheese tart

Crispy duck Staffordshire oatcake

Creamy garlic mushrooms

Aubergine and garlic caviar

Salmon and dill fishcake

Mains

Roast turkey crown

Roast topside of beef

Root vegetable nut roast

Beer battered fish and chips

Chicken thigh, leek and ham pie

Baked salmon with green pesto

Green lentil and chickpea Balti

Roasted butternut squash and cranberry salad

Moddershall beef burger

Desserts

Triple Chocolate brownie

Sticky toffee pudding

Lemon curd tart

Cinnamon baked pineapple

White chocolate cheesecake

Spiced apple choux buns

Dark chocolate truffle torte

Three scoops of ice cream

Traditional Christmas pudding

Sign up to our main daily newsletter here and get all the latest news straight to your inbox for FREE