Review: The Ultimate Dining Experience at Rafters Sheffield

Rafters Sheffield Review – Award Winning Restaurant Yorkshire – Fine Dining Sheffield – Sheffield Best Restaurants – 

Rafters Sheffield Review: The Ultimate Dining Experience 

Located in one of the city’s most affluent areas, Rafters restaurant has served the foodies of Sheffield for over 15 years. Since 2013 the new owners, Head Chef Tom Lawson and Restaurant Manager Alistair Myers, have put Rafters firmly on the culinary map. Showcasing the best seasonal ingredients alongside impeccable service in friendly and relaxed surroundings.

A recent menu change has led to the next big step for the Rafters. Their emphasis on Food, Drink and Service has taken on an additional member, Experience. What started as a seasonal menu change evolved into two unique experience menus, designed to take diners on a culinary journey that captures Tom and Alistair’s nostalgic love of food. The Rafters is true foodie heaven.

Greeted with the warm welcome we remembered last time, we were quickly offered our pre-dinner drinks. With extensive spirits and wine menu expertly crafted by Sommelier Alistair, we started with one of their new vodka Appletini cocktails. The perfect way to start our journey alongside their Sir Robin of Locksley Gin spiked marshmallows.

Choosing Experience Menu One each course has a personal and professional meaning to Head Chef Tom, who has been cooking since the age of 13. As each course arrived the story was set by the Rafter’s knowledgeable staff, with some theatre along the way.

Surprise after surprise, our meal at the Rafters was faultless. Even their in-house sourdough bread is worth a mention. As a tasting experience should be, each course leaves you wanting more, with the perfect portion size so you can enjoy each one without bursting at the seams. Every dish is a lesson in food art, delicately presented with the finest produce. Their beef tartare is a perfect reflection of this, with leek ash, beetroot puree and pumpkin seeds. So morish and light. Supporting the independents of Sheffield with their use of Little Mester, Sheffield’s first cheese, Sir Locksley of Sheffield Gin, wine pairing curated with Star Moore Boss wine shop and Henderson’s relish of course in their whipped butter. Delicious.

Now to the experience and what an experience it was. The standout course which every diner will be talking about after had to be ‘Cauliflower Cheese – Not like Grandma B’s’. Diners are firstly presented with a Sheffield steel letter opener and envelope and left to read about the meaning behind this dish. That being one of Chef Tom’s first food memories, the terrible cauliflower cheese his Grandma used to make for Sunday dinner. Then you’re presented with the best cauliflower cheese you will ever taste. Confit cauliflower in butter with Lancashire bomber cheese, cauliflower puree and chive oil, complete with Grandma’s plates.

Not wanting to give too many of the surprises away, let’s just say you’ll be taking a bit of Rafters away with you to enjoy at home.

At £55 per person with optional wine pairing which we would highly recommend, it is priceless. For the quality of the food, crafted drinks menu, knowledgeable staff, theatre and we’ve got to mention their bespoke cheese menu, this is the ultimate dining experience.

Find out more about Rafters Sheffield Restaurant and view their menus

Rafters Sheffield – 220 Oakbrook Road, Sheffield, S11 7ED – 01142 304819

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Rafters Sheffield Review – Yorkshire Fine Dining – Yorkshire Best Restaurants – Best Sheffield Restaurants

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