The vintage slogan for one of our favourite childhood chocolates, 'Do you love anyone enough to give them your last Rolo?' was recently voted the most romantic advert of all time.
Yes, of course you’ll do anything for the significant other in your life. Wouldn’t you?
At Rollo, when I sampled my starter of beautifully artistic and delectable Smoked Salmon pate, with prawn tempura, velvety smooth beetroot puree and cucumber spaghetti strips, I ate it all myself without offering a morsel to my partner. Across the table, Ken, however, graciously gave me a slither of his Zucchini fritter to taste. Sharing food as good as this must mean a genuine act of love.
The kitchen and management team behind Rollo has a clear understanding of modern table manners – e.g. 21st century wining and dining. The formal convention of Starter, Main Course and Dessert is fine for some restaurants, but when couples and friends get together, they may prefer a casual lunch or supper party. There’s a relaxed flexibility here with the idea of ordering a carafe or bottle of wine, accompanied by a selection tapas, aka bar snacks. Alternatively there are main course dishes and enticing desserts (sweet lovers will love Banana-toffee bread and butter pudding with peanut ice-cream!)
The menu is divided into Bites, Bowls, Plates and Sides. The Bites could certainly be shared, and indeed also the Bowls of spicy prawns or Rollo’s Beef Kofta Meatballs. The cuisine is pan European-Global-fusion, blending Spanish seafood, Mexican chilli, Asian spices, Turkish and Greek salads, Thai rice and Scottish beer battered Haddock. Something literally for every taste and appetite.
After my gorgeous Bite, I selected Cous Cous Feta Fritter with salsa and rocket salad. This vegetarian burger was spicy and moist in texture (it could have been so dry). This time I offered Ken a generous portion to sample while he had a Grilled Halloumi Salad with pomegranate, tabouli, cashew nuts and pumpkin seeds. This was a large bowl and unfortunately rather dull as he chomped his way through the rubbery cheese and a mound of tasteless tabouli - it also had very little pomegranate. We also had a side order of hand cut chips with aioli which were perfectly cooked.
For drinks, we began with a glass of ice cold Prosecco which hit the spot, and then a 500 ml Carafe of Chilean Chenic Blanc. Small Carafes too of 250 ml which is classy so that you can top up your glass. The extensive wine list itself is well-priced and varied.
On a wet Monday evening at 7pm, the place was packed out - perhaps many diners like us were heading to the Playhouse. The location is ideal for the theatre and Vue Omni cinema.
I certainly look forward to visiting Rollo again and this time perhaps I shall remember the Rolo advert and offer my loved one the last mouthful of my delicious Smoked Salmon, Prawns and Beetroot. Heaven on a plate!