Indigo Food and Drink 

Isla: A Review

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By Anna Hopper

I found Isla after a quick Google search for a tasty meal for my Mum and me. While the website and menu looked promising, and I felt it would be a good meal, I had no clue about just how flavoursome it would be.

While also serving brunch and coffee, Isla’s sharing plates are what really makes it special, with a 4.9/5-star rating on Tripadvisor. The meal was lovely and long, it felt as if all the rush and bustle outside the window slowed down, and all that was real was the food in front of us. The atmosphere was very welcoming and cosy, and the staff were friendly and helpful, happily offering recommendations. Its cosiness reflects the food well; deep and warm flavours that leave you wanting more and more.

The dishes are primarily small plates on a somewhat rotating menu, and with a waitress recommending two to three plates per person, we did exactly that. The menu has something to suit everyone’s tastes, and all the dishes we tried were absolutely delicious. Although it’s hard to pick, one dish particularly stood out to me: the tempura tenderstem broccoli with lime mayo and pickled chillis. Despite sounding simple, every aspect of this meal was nailed, the tempura batter was perfectly crisp, and the flavours complemented each other beautifully. It felt deliciously clean and refreshing, despite being fried. For me, this is a must-get.

Then for dessert, we shared a portion of Isla’s French toast, which immediately became my favourite dish on the menu. It came in a big portion and was lovely and warm. The richness of the hazelnut cream was well balanced with the sweetness of the elderflower strawberries, while the textures of soft bread with a crunchy crumb and ripe strawberries made it completely moreish; honestly, no word describes it better than delicious!

Isla is the perfect restaurant to visit for a celebratory meal, it feels like a treat, perfect to share with family or friends. Regardless of the reason to visit, Isla is now one of my favourite restaurants in Durham.

Image: Tripadvisor.