11:13am Thursday 28th January 2010
By James Tourgout
THE latest addition to Weymouth and Portland’s restaurant scene has slamdunked into Osprey Quay.
The Boat That Rocked bar and restaurant has opened on the waterfront next to the new Portland Marina and the sailing academy.
So is the restaurant – bearing the same name as the pirate radio themed film shot off Weymouth and Portland – a hit or a miss?
Obviously, it has the advantage of great settings. At the moment it is bit hidden away behind the academy but once work is finished at the quay it should sit at the heart of the multi-million pound development.
The restaurant itself is modern and brightly lit and there wasn’t the plastering of memorabilia – gold disks and autographed pop star pictures – on the walls that I half expected.
The atmosphere was nice and relaxed, helped by a bar running along one side of the room – although some may prefer a more formal setting.
The restaurant was spacious with a mixture of tables and more comfortable seats. There was also a rear entrance onto the waterside leading to the marina and a patio; where the Boat should really come into its own in the summer for al fresco dining.
We visited for a late lunch one Saturday and chose to go straight for a main course.
I plumped for the rump steak panini with red onion marmalade, wild rocket and Dijon mustard.
My dining companions went for the poached sea bass and the The Boat That Rocks fish pie.
My panini was lovely and tasty. The red onion marmalade was nice and tangy and the steak was cooked just right. The dish also came with a bowl of French fries.
My companion said that her poached sea bass was very well cooked and tasty. She said that although it wasn’t a massive portion, it was just right.
The fish pie – with a nice browned potato top – also got the seal of approval from someone who isn’t the biggest fan of fish.
There was a slight mix up with the order when the waiter thought that we only wanted two dishes rather than three, but that was soon put right with the third arriving quickly and an offer of free drinks.
The Boat uses local produce where it can, including Dorset Longhorn steaks, line caught sea bass and mussels.
One of the great pluses is that guests can choose to have a tea, coffee, or a pint, lunch, a snack or a full course meal from its extensive menu, including a children’s menu.
It is open seven days a week, all day at the weekends, and serves breakfast.
The food is lovely but a little bit pricey at £14.95 for the sea bass and £10.95 for the fish pie. Sandwiches ranged from £4.95 to £6.50, starters from £5.25 to £8.95 and mains and salads from £6.95 to £17.95 for the 10oz Dorset Longhorn sirloin steak.
But the jackets start at £4.50, the homemade cheeseburger is £8.50 and desserts start at £4.95. There were plenty of friendly staff on hand.
Overall – taking into account the food, atmosphere, service and settings – The Boat That Rocked was a hit, although those keeping an eye on the pennies may want to save it for a special occasion.
* The Boat That Rocked, Portland Marina, Osprey Quay, Portland, DT5 1DX. Tel 01305 823000, website theboatthatrocks.co.uk
My Boat That Rocked bill:
Poached sea bass £14.95
Rump steak panini £8.95
Fish pie £10.95
TOTAL: £34.85
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.dorsetecho.co.uk