The Walrus Restaurant and Bar — Restaurant in England

The Walrus – an aptly named restaurant that promises grandeur, yet like its namesake, sometimes feels a little out of place in the fine dining world.

Let’s start with the highlight of the evening: the homemade Japanese milk bread. This wasn’t even a “main” item on the menu, yet it stood out above everything else. Warm, fresh, and delightfully soft, it was beautifully contrasted by crunchy pumpkin seeds and complemented by the salty richness of the miso butter. A perfect bite, one that sets expectations high. Unfortunately, the accompanying starter—a raw beef and beer tart—fell flat. The flavours were muted, and the beef seemed oxidised, as if prepared well before service. It lacked the freshness and vibrancy one would expect at this level.

Moving to the mains, the Winter Salad was well-prepared but uninspiring. The vegetables were cooked perfectly, yet the dish didn’t feel special or exciting—it lacked interplay to elevate it beyond the ordinary.

The Brixham Crab dish was a disappointment. Served completely cold, the crab’s flavour was overpowering, and the balance was thrown off without enough acidity to counter it. Worse, I found bits of shell in the crab, which made the experience less enjoyable. The brown crab mousse had a gritty texture and an unappealing bitter note, and the cauliflower added little to the dish. This was not the strong introduction to the meat courses I had hoped for.

The chicken course offered a reprieve. A thoughtful combination of textures and flavours, the chicken itself was perfectly cooked and paired nicely with the lovage and apricot. It was warm (not hot), and while it wasn’t groundbreaking, it was a well-executed dish.

The venison, unfortunately, continued the trend of dishes arriving cold. While the walnut pairing worked well and the meat was cooked properly, the dish lacked the character and intrigue one expects from a main protein in a high-end tasting menu. It felt like a missed opportunity to deliver something memorable.

Desserts were a step up from the mains (though still not on par with the milk bread). The Green Apple and Marigold dish was refreshing, with a clean and vibrant marigold sorbet that—unsurprisingly—was cold (but this time appropriately so!). The flavours paired nicely, leaving a light and satisfying finish. The final dessert of Chocolate and Mandarin was a highlight. When all the components were combined, they created a delightful explosion of flavour—rich, balanced, and  enjoyable.

The Walrus promises excellence with its Michelin Guide recognition, stellar reputation, and premium price tag, but it fell short in delivering a truly memorable dining experience. While there were moments of brilliance, like the delightful milk bread and a well-executed desserts, much of the meal was let down by a lack of hot food, which gave the impression that some dishes were not freshly prepared. This recurring issue, coupled with underwhelming flavour combinations and a lack of creativity in certain courses, left me questioning whether my expectations were too high—or whether The Walrus simply failed to meet the high bar it...

Not many places in Shrewsbury offer a taster menu, but @thewalrusrestaurant has built a reputation for its culinary creativity in recent years. With a chic bar area for cocktails and an intimate restaurant space, diners are treated to a cozy atmosphere, with some tables overlooking the river.

⭐️4.5/5 Recommended👍🏻 Price 💸💸/💸

The meal began with delightful amuse-bouches designed to tantalize our taste buds. The light crispy pastry encasing smoky, soft beef tartare was a standout! Bold, flavourful, and utterly captivating. It certainly set the tone for the feast ahead.

Next came the pumpkin bread with a pillowy-soft center beneath a perfectly baked crust served with miso-infused butter.

Starters Porcetta: The first starter featured thinly sliced herbed Porcetta, capers, and a hint of citrus, combining to create a refreshing and harmonious dish. This dish divided opinion with one of us raving about the flavour combinations and the other left unsure.

Mushroom: The second starter showcased the earthy taste delightful texture of mushrooms and potato in a rich, indulgent sauce. The exquisite morels added depth and elegance to this satisfying course.

Mains Sole: The first main course was a medley of bold flavors and textures. Grilled lemon sole, English asparagus cooked to perfection paired beautifully with brown shrimp and the crunch of toasted hazelnuts. The hollandaise sauce provided richness, but a lemony curd like accompaniment felt unnecessary and the whole dish slightly over-salted for our taste.

Dry Aged Duck: The second main brought duck served two ways complemented by tamarillo. Tamarillo, something you don’t often see and reminiscent of sweet peach plus butternut squash, parsnip, beetroot, and carrot slivers. While the duck had the desired layer of fat this could have benefited from more rendering, the flavours however were intriguing and enjoyable.

Desserts Rhubarb & Custard: For those less inclined towards sweet deserts, this offered a perfect balance: vibrant orange cream, fresh tart rhubarb pieces, rhubarb sorbet, and meringue tiles.

Carrot & white...

The drive to Shrewsbury from Stratford-upon-Avon last night was admittedly painful, but we finally arrived at The Walrus — and it was well worth the effort. Although we opted for the more affordable three-course menu, the meal was full of thoughtful touches and delightful surprises. Every element on the plate felt intentional, and everything was absolutely delicious.

The experience began with complimentary bites: a pillowy Japanese milk bun and a delicate pork-and-apple pastry. They instantly set a high bar for the courses to follow. For starters, we ordered Cod, Porcini, and Chicken. The Porcini dish was deeply savoury, with the egg yolk adding a beautiful richness. The Cod felt light and fresh — the mussel sauce brought a taste of the sea, while the cucumber and grape balanced it elegantly. The Chicken dish was especially impressive, showcasing five different flavours and textures of chicken on one plate.

And then came the highlight: the mains. We chose Duck, Red Mullet, and Beef. The sweetcorn sauce beneath the red mullet was unexpectedly flavourful and memorable. The duck came with a raviolo that felt like a playful and luxurious surprise. The beef was tender, rich, and perfectly cooked.

For dessert, we were able to try all three options. The chocolate mousse was velvety and balanced beautifully with a light vanilla ice cream. The pumpkin tart felt seasonal and comforting. And the cheese plate, with four cheeses and a truly exceptional chutney, was a standout.

We were completely full by this point and couldn’t quite finish the desserts — but then came one final surprise: a tiny brownie with a cherry centre. It was divine. Even my son, who normally dislikes anything cherry-related, finished it without hesitation.

The service was the best in the UK. We had a warm welcoming once arrived. The servers provided the details of every dishes when served. They kept checking with us to make sure everything perfect. We will definitely come back to try the tasting menu and I did believe I made a wise decision to celebrate our...