THERE’S a big sign above the bar welcoming people back to the Warehouse...with good reason.

That’s because it’s now owned and run by Jack Taylor, who used to work the front of house there many years ago.

Along with his wife, Claire, he’s returned with the same friendly and knowledgeable service that made the place such a draw except now he’s brought a new dining experience.

Eating concepts appear to be all the rage in Colchester at the moment but in an age where it appears looking after yourself before others is the norm, it’s rather lovely to have a place where it’s all about the sharing.

You can, if you wanted to, have your own dishes, but at the Warehouse Jack and Claire have decided to also offer an eating choice which enables you to share your food with a loved one or two.

And as the Beautiful Wife and I were treating ourselves to a rare evening without the children, we thought ‘why not’.

For starters the only really option to share is with the classic dinner party favourite of baked whole Camembert.

But when it comes with the most delicious thick onion chutney and a big fat bulb of garlic in the middle, why choose anything else. We could have done with a little more bread but that’s probably me being a bit of a glutton, and actually in hindsight, with what was to come, any more bread would have scuppered the rest of the evening’s meal.

That came in the glorious form of our meat sharing platter, a smorgasbord of tastes and smells, which looked almost as good as they were to eat.

The beef brisket was a delight and the little pot of chilli, which I was told had a hint of chocolate in it, was the best chilli I have ever had. Even the BW, who is not the biggest meat eater in the world, took a fond likeness to the paprika pork.

We asked whether there was a dessert sharing option to which Jack replied there wasn’t ‘at the moment’, but they were thinking of introducing one and ‘would we like to try one?’ Hell yeah!

So we became the first ever diners to experience the Warehouse dessert sharing platter of sticky toffee pudding, New York cheesecake, Eton sundae, and vegan friendly chocolate pot. There is absolutely no need to thank me. The pleasure was all mine.

If you’re not as piggy as me, and you want just one pud, then I would go for the lusciously boosey Eton sundae, essentially an Eton mess with ice cream and sherry, or the cheesecake, which was absolutely gorgeous.

But then why would you. After all it’s good to share.

NEIL D’ARCY-JONES

The Warehouse Bar and Kitchen Chapel Street North, Colchester.

01206 765656 www.thewarehousecolchester.com

MENU

Baked whole Camembert, chutney, crusty breads - £10

Meat Sharing Platter of slow cooked pulled beef brisket, marinated chicken wings, mini beef chilli bowl, paprika pork and peppers, home made slaw, and fries - £30

Dessert Sharing Platter of sticky toffee pudding, New York cheesecake, Eton sundae, and vegan friendly chocolate pot - £10

VERDICT

Food: 5/5

Decor: 4/5

Service: 5/5

Value: 4/5

Atmosphere: 4/5