Sunday sharing sensations

Barbara Young visits Orbis in Stamford, where traditional Sunday roast sharing platters are the special orders of the day.

Since opening in 2021, Orbis has become known as the home of exceptional Pan-Asian dining, creating global inspired dishes which have been crafted using fresh ingredients and innovative techniques.

Orbis, which was awarded its fifth two AA Rosettes for Culinary Excellence last year, is renowned for its unique dining experience, with a cosy and friendly vibe created by its stylish design scheme and welcoming atmosphere.

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

Over the past year, Orbis has gone through major changes including a complete overhaul of management and kitchen dynamics, as well as new systems, all with one goal in mind: “to continue to deliver exceptional food and service every single time”.

Having started out as Pan Asian cuisine as part of its journey, Orbis is now very much globally focused.

A ROYAL ROAST
Recently the talented catering team led by creative head chef Tom Fraser, who has returned to the business having previously worked for the restaurant in the early days, has launched its own take on traditional Sunday lunch but with a deliciously innovative twist which is already proving hugely popular.

We were intrigued to try the Orbis take on traditional Sunday dining options with main menu choices of ‘Proper Plated Roasts’ or ‘Sharing Roast Boards’ ideal for two people.

The plated roasts feature generous servings of favourites such as Corn Fed Chicken, Dry Aged Sirloin of Beef, Rolled Garlic & Herb Porchetta and Spiced Cauliflower Steak, served with classic winter vegetables and ‘trimmings’, including ‘proper gravy’.

The front of house team is wonderfully attentive and knowledgeable and service is slick but never hurried. General manager Brandon Pontin was on hand to guide us helpfully through the menu choices, explaining the sharing platter options which sounded perfect for hungry diners who had missed breakfast!

First we sampled two of Orbis’ Signature dishes as a starter: melt- in-the-mouth Slow Cooked Belly Pork with maple syrup and crunchy Cornflake Chicken served with peanut satay and a mango glaze – both equally as delicious as their presentation.

We then opted to dive in and share the 1kg Tomahawk platter, which is perfectly served medium rare.

Arriving with a flourish, this ginormous impeccably grilled hunk of thick-cut, heavily marbled ribeye with 12 inches of the rib bone left intact teetered on a giant wooden board, offering a dramatic and distinctly ‘prehistoric’ presentation.

Perfectly seasoned, the intense intramuscular fat provides a rich, buttery, and bold flavour and we were provided with our own serrated carving utensils to “help ourselves”.

This magnificent premium cut of prime beef was served with perfectly cooked accompaniments, including parsnip puree, honey glazed baby carrots, tenderstem plus crispy on the outside/fluffy on the inside beef fat roasties, together with pigs in blankets, giant Yorkshire puddings, ‘Proper Gravy’, and cauliflower cheese – what a feast!

The drinks menu offers a wide selection of choices, including standard cocktail favourites as well as options from ‘Expeditions in Mixology’ featuring Orbis’ own creations such as Vanilla Smoked Old Fashioned and After-Eight Martini. We chose from the extensive non-alcoholic list and enjoyed a refreshing Elderflower Fizz, served with mint and a fresh sprig of rosemary.

SWEET TREATS
With skilful service and perfect timings between courses, we somehow also managed to find room to sample desserts from the Sweet Tooth menu.

Mousse in a Glass was an attractively presented and fluffy chocolate and mint mousse, served with an orange gel and topped with chocolate crumb, while the Banana Sticky Toffee Pudding proved equally scrumptious served with a toffee sauce and rum and raisin ice cream.

We noticed other diners chose from the Liquid Puddings menu – the Bakewell Float and Crunchie Bar combinations of blended liqueurs, syrups and cream looked luscious and definitely worth trying next time!

Orbis’ menu, which is 100% gluten free, cleverly encapsulates flavours from around the world and reflects its commitment to serving up quality, creativity and passion on every plate.

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

Whether you’re meeting up for a casual Sunday lunch for two, marking a celebration, or looking for somewhere to enjoy a special date with friends, Orbis delivers a memorable experience that blends global creativity with local charm. Definitely not to be missed, but make sure you arrive hungry!

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