Restaurant review – Milkwood Restaurant

I love finding hidden gems on our wonderful stretch of coastline and I have found a new one to add to the list.
Milkwood restaurant is located at Forest Suites in Zimbali, close to the Country Club. It is privately owned, which is a plus in my book.
They have 10 executive suites and the restaurant. I was very impressed with the service and welcome. It was easy to gain entrance into the estate. You produce your driver’s license and reference number, which you get on making your booking.
The chef made a great impression on me. Her food, in all aspects, from conceptualisation to plating and flavour, is a step above what you usually find on the Dolphin Coast. I did find the menu a bit strange in composition, each of there being three lamb options and only one beef and fish option.
For starters we had cheese filled wonton with beetroot chutney, which was quite a revelation. Sweet and cheese always work, but to throw in beetroot was a stunning combination.
Due to kitchen equipment malfunction we could not have the current oyster starter but were treated to the deep-fried oyster starter that will only be appearing on the menu in June/July. It was fantastic! I’m not the biggest oyster fan but I found them fresh, clean and still full of flavour.
For mains I went with the tagliatelle with portabella and truffle sauce, which was full of rich earthy flavours. I would have liked to see more of a sauce to bring everything together.
The seared salmon with lobster veloute was a real high note. The lobster veloute had a deep well-rounded flavour which matched the salmon perfectly. The salmon however could have been slightly more underdone. The time and effort spent on each dish is clear in the presentation and I was really impressed!
For dessert I chose a cheese platter, which was a great way to end my meal. My wife had the “crème brulee”, which was an amazing interpretation of this classic, made with a chocolate custard and topped with cherries. Then instead of the traditional brulee, a bridge of caramel covered popcorn – absolutely divine!
Their prices are very reasonable considering the high standard of food. For special occasions or even a relaxed day around the pool, Milkwood is well worth a visit.