Simply Wild Restaurant
"Assured modern British cooking with a classic French flavour."
Overview
A distinctive double-fronted former shop in the heart of the Forest of Dean with a Victorian glass-panelled door and curved railings, Simply Wild was Coleford’s tobacconist for more than a century. These days, this charming market town property has swapped woodbines and snuff for refined contemporary dining. The room has an authentic French village bistro feel with its wrought iron pedestal-based wood tables, light brown soft leather banquettes and classic bentwood chairs. Twinned with a relaxed background soundtrack of soul, jazz and RnB, it makes for a laidback setting to enjoy finely tuned and refined modern British cooking with a French influence.
The dishes may have a Gallic leaning, but the menu follows the seasons and is steered by what local produce is available at the time. Start, perhaps, with an appetiser of light and creamy Jerusalem artichoke soup and home-baked focaccia with cultured butter before a well-balanced sea bream céviche paired with blood orange purée and smoked yogurt. A Double Gloucester soufflé with red onion marmalade and mustard is another winning starter. Move on with slow-braised Forest of Dean venison, a smooth pomme purée and star anise-scented carrots, or maybe wild brill, smoked eel, shellfish and pancetta chowder catches the eye. Finish with chocolate and hazelnut delice, crémeux and ice cream or, if your visit is during the right season, poached forced Yorkshire rhubarb with stem ginger ice cream. Vegetarians are lucky to get their own four-course menu, which might begin with Roscoff onion velouté, croûtons and pickled onions, before beetroot tart, goats’ cheese and yuzu. A neat, concise and well-considered wine list with global reach offers a large number by the glass and there are even bottles from nearby Herefordshire.
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About the area
Gloucestershire is home to a variety of landscapes, including the Cotswolds, a region of gentle hills, valleys and gem-like villages that roll through the county. To their west is the Severn Plain, watered by Britain’s longest river and characterised by orchards and farms marked out by hedgerows that blaze with mayflower in the spring; beyond the Severn are the Forest of Dean and the Wye Valley
Nearby places to visit
View all (8)Nearby places to stay
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Cowshed Cottage & The Dairy
★★★★
"Enjoy a thoughtful welcome hamper on arrival...."
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The Coach house
★★★★★
"Amazing accommodation in a great location for exploring the Forest of Dean and various places of interest and attractions...."
- Private garden
- Garden furniture
- BBQ on site
- Dish washer
Self-Catering
The Coach House
★★★★★
"Amazing accommodation in a great location for exploring the Forest of Dean and various places of interest and attractions...."
- Total units: 1
- Private garden
- Garden furniture
- BBQ on site
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