Restaurant review | Bistro on the Quay

Last Friday I went for dinner at Bistro on the Quay, on Ipswich docks. I’d been before last year and thoroughly enjoyed the meal, so I was really looking forward to returning. We booked a table but upon arrival, were seated next to a rather large raucous party of 12. Thankfully, the waitress was keen to move us to a quieter spot, which was great – I didn’t really want to make a fuss so it was good they were so accommodating. Especially given how busy the restaurant ended up being.

Bistro on the Quay have a set menu, even on a Friday, with a main course priced at £10.95 and additional courses for £4 each. Before I even sat down, I knew what I was having – the bang bang chicken caught my eye last time round; I ordered the light main size portion, which was actually huge when it arrived. Someone on the next table ordered the starter portion which looked tiny, so I made the right decision.

The strips of chicken were in the most beautiful peanut sauce, with sweet chilli drizzled around the plate and a large salad of mixed leaves, tomatoes, cucumber and spring onion. It was so filling and the sauce was really moreish. It was such a simple dish that I could easily make at home, but sometimes the simple dishes are the nicest. It was just the mixture of textures and flavours that made it so scrummy.

Last time for dessert I had the most incredible tropical taster platter and was pleased to see something similar on the menu this time round. The trio tasting plate consisted of mango pannacotta, pineapple meringue and passion fruit sorbet. The sorbet was so lush and it was served in a homemade brandy snap basket – my favourites. The mini pannacotta was also lovely, not too rich or sickly. Little platters like that are perfect for me – I’m so bad at making decisions, so a bit of everything suits me fine. It’s the first time I’d actually had a proper dessert since finishing the IQS programme so I struggled a bit, but I’m no longer a dessert person *sad face*.

Once again, it was a great evening with wonderful food, service, a decent atmosphere and lovely company – I know for sure I’ll be back.