Freshly invigorated from my Scandi plunge pool session, I floated into the Peacock Room Restaurant at The Oriana Retro Hotel, Orange with high expectations … and it did not disappoint.
The Peacock Room’s reputation precedes it. With its coveted #1 spot on TripAdvisor, this beautifully decorated, utterly charismatic restaurant led by hotelier Espen Harbitz and restaurant manager Brigita Navickaite, whose team is as precise in service as they are warm in welcome.
Located in the picturesque surrounds of the Oriana Retro Hotel, adjacent to the unmissably charismatic Bela Vista Bar – you can read my thoughts on both here – The Peacock Room sports a timeless elegance and quiet class that amplifies its stellar Nordic Inspired menu.
Surrounded by hundreds of fairy lights in the Oriana garden, The Peacock Room feels like fine dining wrapped in romance. The velvet lounges, vintage chandeliers, and spectacular coloured glassware set the tone for an evening that’s as much about mood as it is about food.
On the menu you’ll find ambitious dishes like Oxtail Risotto and Roasted Duck as well as beloved favourites like Chicken Coq a Vin and a superb Sir Thomas Angus Ms3 Fillet Mignon.
They also have a menu dedicated entirely to cheese! Bravo for Cheese!
The meal that made my weekend
This was my highlight “Birthday Dinner” and I knew I wanted it to be special. My booking at The Peacock Room gave me the perfect opportunity to dress right up for the occasion, and step into a different world for the evening. I’d have been equally as comfortable in my jeans and a cute sweater, but I relished the opportunity to get Birthday Fabulous.
To start we ordered:
- Seafood Vol-au-Vent topped with salmon roe and chervil — light, flaky pastry, perfectly executed velouté (that’s French for a delicate creamy sauce made from a roux and light stock) and and an array of fresh seafood cooked just right.
I haven’t seen a vol-au-vent on a menu in years, and this luxury throwback one was executed to perfection
- The Nordic Cured Venison — was an unexpected highlight, balancing sweet and savoury in a way I didn’t see coming. If a restaurant boasts an ambitious menu, I make it my goal to get out of my comfort zone. What a delicious introduction to Venison.
For mains:
- Roasted Duck — rich, tender, and perfectly paired.
- Fisherman’s Catch — fresh, vibrant, and every bite as good as the last.
But the true showstopper? Dessert.
The Creme Brulee That Changed Me
I have eaten more crème brûlées than I care to admit. But this one? This one was next level.
- A thick, glassy crack of caramelised sugar
- Silky, vanilla custard beneath
- Candied orange peel and fresh biscotti for a playful twist
We also tried the twice-baked lemon soufflé (incredible), but the brûlée stole my heart.
Tip! Arrive an hour early for a lychee martini in the Bela Vista Bar. It’s the perfect prelude to dinner.
The Peacock Room was my absolute favourite meal in Orange. The menu is adventurous, the ambience is divine and every morsel that passed my mouth was absolute perfection.
More info on The Oriana, Orange here: https://www.orianaorange.com/
