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Bar 1 Ascot
No 1 High Street
Ascot
Berkshire SL5 7JF
(next to Ascot Racecourse)
Tel: 01344 875123
www.cluboneascot.com
email: club.one@virgin.net
The highly professional leaflet had arrived inside my local newspaper when I returned from a half term break in the North East of England, normally I would despatch such items in the bin but I was intrigued, the leaflet had an attractive menu, some excellent photographs as well as a map of the location. Time and effort had gone in to the creation of this promotional leaflet for this newly created bar, club and restaurant, it was worthy of further investigation, and it was less than twenty minutes drive from home.
My guest for the evening was Tracy, a work colleague in her last two weeks as a single woman, a perfect dining companion for the evening. The brightly lit Bar 1 stood out on Ascot High Street, located right next to the revamped Ascot Racecourse. On a cold and foggy November evening it was a warm welcome indeed, warm enough for us both to discard our jackets within minutes as we took our place at a window table, allowing us views of the busy High Street as well as the entire restaurant, with light wooden tables adorned with shiny cutlery and crystal clear glasses.
It was a spacious dining room with ample space between tables, no attempt here to cram diners in to squeeze extra revenue where possible. Relaxed and informal with some lovely touches was my very first thought, with the large and inventive menu centre stage as we two pondered our culinary journey through the evening.
Drinks in hand toasting the future for Tracy and John, cooking alone at home, we deliberated, the difficulties compounded with the sheer variety of choice, with fourteen different choices of additional toppings for your steak burger alone. I eventually was drawn towards the Kind Prawns & Avocado on a warm crouton with a salad garnish, a highly impressive starter, beautifully presented with the warm crouton adding a welcome variation to this ever popular dish.
Tracy could not resist the lure of the Deep Fried Brie, served with Redcurrant sauce, a sizeable plate of fried brie, more than ably supported by a highly enjoyable sauce, rich in colour, even stronger in flavour. Conversation between us disappeared as we both savoured the delights of the first stage of our journey of discovery in Ascot, it had been a dream start.
Our wine was a Sancerre, one of a wide range of wines on offer, with everyday drinking wines on offer as well as a few fine wines to savour, all priced with care. With a highly visible racecourse alongside this menu offered opportunities to winners and losers, from affordable House Wine to Cristal Champagne, there was something here for everyone. Another toast of Sancerre ensued, after all the last days as a single girl are certainly not to be taken lightly, they should be savoured and enjoyed, and Bar 1 Ascot was certainly providing us with some very enjoyable culinary memories.
Tracy had fixed her eyes on the Home Made Steak Burgers, served with fries and salad, but with an impressive choice of toppings. She chose her burger medium, with the addition of Blue Cheese, Avocado and Mushroom to accompany her steak burger, her version of heaven on a bun. No small portions here in Ascot, this was a substantial meal, with the burger attracting the comment of
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Alan McColm is QFOL's Restaurant Critic and Travel reviewer. Alan is working all over the country ... more
