(cont)

The team is passionate about food and is constantly perfecting its menus, changing them each month and ensuring that the seven starters, nine main courses and six desserts are always varied and imaginative versions of good old English favourites. A choice of main courses always includes red meat, white meat, fish and vegetarian options, and with meals ordered in advance of the evening, every dish is able to be freshly cooked to order, allowing the team to serve 180 covers simultaneously whilst still ensuring the venue’s sauces, ice creams and bread are made in house too.

To compliment and accompany your meal there’s a choice of over 100 specially selected wines, with a programme of events that this month includes performances from jazz impresario and veteran broadcaster Humphrey Lyttleton, a collection of songs from Rosemary Clooney, Judy Garland, Matt Monro and Bill Haley during a special night entitled ‘It’s The 50s’ and tribute acts paying homage to Fleetwood Mac, Simply Red and Robbie Williams too.  Our uncharacteristically funky photo-shoot took place as Benet McLean was warming up on stage, performing on a grand piano accompanied by the deep sound of his session musician’s double bass making the most of the Sands Venue’s brilliant acoustics to an audience of just one impressed Editor.

An Art Deco dining room and some stylish touches create a stunning looking venue, the equally stunning food consisting of Smoked Salmon Timbale with Mascarpone & Roast Bell Pepper Stuffing, dressed with Caviar, Chilli Tulle and Watercress Vinaigrette.

The main course was Lemon & Butter Pan Fried Sea Bass with Parsley Potatoes, Wilted Spinach, Julienne Carrots and Comfit of Cherry Tomatoes. Rounding off the evening nicely was Gateaux Saint Honore, each course presented with great innovation and flair, and each dish’s twist working well.

Dushan, working with Duncan McDermid, Joe Owen and Jamie Smith, produces phenomenal meals in a logistically tricky venue, and yet, the food and the entertainment both manage to take equal precedence. If music is the food of love, The Sands Venue will certainly play on and will definitely thrive with the efforts of a great team and a brilliant programme of forthcoming events!