A taste of the world

Zoë Thurling dines out at Orbis, the award-winning restaurant and bar in Stamford, which recently celebrated two years in business.

Situated in the south of the county, Orbis Stamford delivers a fine dining experience with a mouth-watering menu, together with an unrivalled selection of cocktail and drinks.

This heady combination is designed to tickle the taste buds of discerning diners keen to experience the international cuisine on offer.

The restaurant menu is 100% gluten free and cleverly encapsulates flavours from around the world in the form of small plates, sharing dishes and desserts, with handcrafted cocktails served in the bar, as well as outside on the rooftop terrace.

Restaurant manager, Megan Temple explained that their concept is to offer guests a dining experience for all to remember.

“Whether on a cosy date night, eating out as a family, celebrating a special occasion or dining as a larger group, we aim to deliver a menu and concept whereby everyone can share and taste together,” she said.

“Our Taste The World sharing plates are created with inspiration from all over the globe and a table of food is built with the sharing concept in mind.”

This vision is co-ordinated by head chef, Tim Luff, who has previously spent time in a Michelin-starred establishment and his experience and attention to detail is mirrored in the menu selections.

“Tim has the creativity to develop extraordinary cuisine and leads his team with an innovative and dynamic approach,” said Megan. “We are extremely lucky to have him to execute the concept behind Orbis.”

Evening experience
We visited Orbis midweek and on arrival were greeted by a friendly front of house staff member, who showed us to our table inside.

During the summer months there is also the option to enjoy drinks and small signature dishes al fresco on the attractive outdoor terrace, where seating is divided between shade and sunshine (weather permitting).

The décor of the restaurant is themed in teal and dark wood with subtle lighting which creates a warm ambience and a rustic, contemporary vibe.

Sparkling or still water was offered while we studied both the drinks and food menus and nibbled on lightly seasoned Padron peppers and toasted rosemary focaccia served with a balsamic vinegar and olive oil dip.

The main menu offers a choice of miniature tacos, signature dishes and larger signature dishes, along with items to accompany the table to complement your chosen selection.

Vegetarian and vegan dishes are clearly marked and 90% of the dishes can be made dairy free, with all other allergies carefully catered for.

The front of house team is fabulously attentive and knowledgeable. Throughout the evening, we were advised on how many dishes to select from each section to help us enjoy the full Orbis experience.

Our waitress also surprised us with her recommended cocktail and mocktail to accompany our food. The Garden of Eden mocktail and Mei-Mei cocktail were both perfectly crafted, refreshing and flavoursome.

We chose shredded duck tacos, Goan curry king prawns and red wine braised chorizo from the signature dish selection and Coca Cola short ribs from the larger signature dish range, together with side orders of sticky rice, to complement the curried prawns, and honey roasted red pepper, rocket and tomato salad to accompany the ribs.

Each dish was beautifully presented and absolutely delicious. Just when you thought nothing could beat the dish we had most recently savoured, the next dish knocked it out of the park, making it impossible to choose a favourite!

After the flurry of main courses, the Assiette of Puddings was perfect to share for dessert as it gave us the opportunity to sample each without committing to one larger dessert.

Orbis also offers a brunch menu during the daytime every Friday and Saturday, as well as a boozy brunch featuring five cocktails and a brunch dish from £37.50 per person for table bookings before 3pm.

Private hire of both upstairs areas is also available for drinks receptions or dining depending on the nature of your event and number of guests.

There are also innovative themed events planned, including ‘Dining in the Dark’, ‘Taste Of’ takeover tasting experiences and ‘Ibiza Boozy Brunches’.

And if that isn’t enough to temp you into trying the diverse selection food and drink from the menu, you can also do so from the comfort of your own home, with a takeaway service available.

Keep an eye out on Orbis’ website and social media platforms to keep up to date with forthcoming events; or join ‘Club Orbis’ via the website to receive exclusive discounts and early access bookings, with gift vouchers also available.

Booking for the main restaurant is always advisable to avoid disappointment, although not required for the tables on the roof terrace.

This was our first visit and we loved it. We certainly look forward to returning to sample more global treats.

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