Review: The Orangery Menu at The Oaksmere in Eye in Suffolk

As a near exact midpoint between Norwich and Ipswich, it is ideally situated for those meeting across the counties for an evening meal or Sunday lunch. 

There are two restaurants on-site - The Orangery and The Oaksmere Pub - which operate two individual menus. 

I've enjoyed several meals here over the years and met a friend for a weeknight dinner a few weeks ago to sample the new winter menu at The Orangery.

Part of the draw for us when visiting the Oaksmere is just how beautifully it has been renovated.

The restaurant has been beautifully renovated (Image: Emily Goodwin)

The Orangery boasts floor-to-ceiling windows and glass doors that open onto the terrace in the warmer months, and the foliage dotted around the restaurant really helps bring the outside in, even on a cold winter's night.

The kitchen is open and diners can watch the chefs working on their craft.

We met in the restaurant at 6.30pm on a Wednesday evening and it was nearly empty, but by 8pm it was packed with diners. 

We both ordered non-alcoholic gin and tonics and the cold drink was refreshing and almost mistakable for the real thing, which is often a rarity in the world of non-alcoholic spirits. 

READ MORE: We tried the Christmas menu at one of Suffolk's most exclusive supper clubs

I started my meal with the pan-seared Thai spice scallops, served on a bed of an apple, cranberry and toasted almond salad. 

I started with the pan-seared scallops (Image: Emily Goodwin)

The scallops were fried perfectly and were juicy, soft and hot, and the seasoning was particularly good - not spicy, but gently flavoured. 

I would definitely order these again on another visit and really enjoyed them.

One thing I really love about the menus in The Orangery is the variety of fish dishes on offer, and I opted for the moules mariniere for my main course too. 

Often mussels can be gritty or unopened, but these were some of the largest mussels I have seen served in Suffolk.

The platter of mussels was so large it took up most of the table (Image: Emily Goodwin)

The white wine sauce was delicious and punchy, with the onion and garlic cutting through, and I enjoyed dipping my French fries and warm bread in the leftovers at the bottom of the pan. 

This was served with a rocket and sun-blushed tomato salad on the side which was particularly good.

The mussels were the highlight of the meal for me - they were delicious and I couldn't fault the dish.

As you can see, I really enjoyed the mussels (Image: Emily Goodwin)

The portion size was huge as well and the plate took up most of our two-person table.

We were initially served quickly, benefitting from the quiet restaurant, but waited quite a while to order dessert -  for which I chose an assiette of apple.

This came quickly but was definitely the weakest link in our meal. 

The apple pannacotta had a texture that was more similar to jelly than to a smooth cream, and I ended up leaving most of this on the plate.

The mini apple crumble was also more like a cold jellied sweet, which I actually quite enjoyed but didn't expect.

The highlight of the plate for me was the apple sorbet, which was tart and juicy.

The sorbet on the assiette of apple dessert was delightful (Image: Emily Goodwin)

The meal cost around £40 per person and I would definitely visit The Orangery again - but perhaps choose a different dessert.

Our food reviews are always independent. They are the opinion of the reviewer based on their experience of the venue when they visited.

The establishment is not aware of our visit, is not informed we intend to write a review and bills are paid by the reviewer.  The choice of places reviewed is also independent and is not based on venues which do or do not advertise in our publications.