Birthday Dinner at the Montagu Arms Hotel, Beaulieu.

Dining delectably in timeless country house elegance looking out upon a romantic courtyard garden lit by a Supermoon

For what more could you wish?

Our first ever visit to the Terrace Restaurant at the Montagu Arms Hotel in Beaulieu was also timely, as the hotel was in the midst of being awarded lots of accolades:

• Winner - Best Loved Hotel in the South 2016
• Winner – Hampshire Life Best Hotel Restaurant
• Gold - “Small and Boutique Hotel of the Year”, and Silver - “Best Bistro and Restaurant”, at the Beautiful South Awards

I'm not quite sure why we've not eaten at The Terrace before, perhaps we thought it would be too pricey, although this is not at all the case. Along with many local friends we’ve previously dined at Lime Wood and The Pig for “special occasions” - and experienced very variable meals and service at both. How would the award-winning Terrace at the Montagu Arms compare?

A warm welcome - from parking the car onwards

So to add something a little special to a mid-week working-day November birthday we dressed up a little, parked outside the Montagu Arms, acknowledged the stone guard dogs and opened the stately entrance doors into the panelled hallway where the welcoming interior enveloped us and Louise on reception invited us to settle into the deep settees by the cosy fireside to consider the menu.

Cosy fireside, deep settees for aperitifs and menu contemplation

And very soon our senses were captivated by the warmth which emanated not just from the fire and the comfy seating, but also from each and every member of staff we met during this lovely evening of relaxing, wining and dining. The welcome hug with Pierre from Burgundy seemed quite natural – and kind of sums up the sense of becoming “part of the family” for the evening. There was a spirit of something very special at work here.  And as for pink roses in November - inspirational!

Enticing, seasonal menu with delectable sounding options

And, what a menu! So often when I take hold of a menu for the first time, my eye falls upon something and I know that’s what I want. But we’d been told that chef Matt has a penchant towards the nostalgic and chooses homely recipes inspired by family cooking – and does not stint on portion sizes either! And indeed, everything on the menu looked inviting.

How do you choose between “spiced diver caught Scottish scallops with cauliflower puree, apple coriander and cumin veloute” or “ravioli of late season woodside farm lamb with grilled broccoli, roasted onions and a rosemary scented broth” or indeed “autumn truffle risotto with creamed baron bigot cheese chervil and wild mushrooms”, to name just three of the five enticing Starter options.
As the fire gently crackled and we sipped our glasses of Birthday Celebration champagne feeling quite at home and nibbling our “gougeres ” (baked savoury choux pastry of choux dough mixed with cheese) we were in no hurry to choose and were not hurried either.

Eventually between three of us we managed to choose three different starters and main courses intending to taste each others’ – although of course when it came to it that didn’t happen!

In to the Restaurant overlooking the romantic courtyard garden

Our table beckoned. Literally. It was the one to which I was drawn - in the far corner of the restaurant overlooking the courtyard garden, looking attractive and slightly mysterious in the soft light of the SuperMoon above, augmented by the subtle low level outdoor lights from below.  (The lounge and conservatory, and dining room set at right angles, each open on to this magical garden which is a very special feature of the Hotel and enables you even on a wintry evening such as this to enjoy the pleasure of that connection between outdoors and in.)

A memorable, delicious dinner impeccably served

Led to our table by Diane we were seated in comfy armchairs upholstered in luxury velvet - one of the subjects, we were told, of the extensive recent renovations at the Montagu Arms.

We sipped the first wine (Sauvignon Blanc “Left Field” Te Awa, from Nelson, New Zealand) and savoured the amuse bouche - a delicious dried beef concoction.

The starters were even better than they sounded from the menu and were followed by the main courses we’d chosen, with two of us going for fish: “escalope of Shetland hake with Fowey mussels, late season tomatoes, fresh white beans and courgettes” and “slow poached Newhaven monkfish with grilled lettuce, crispy potato terrine, smoked bacon and red wine sauce” and one for the “roast saddle of Alresford roe deer with parsnip puree, glazed beetroot and crisp brisket croquette”.

The wine by the glass selected by Sergio (French, although the name’s Italian) to accompany the fish was a 2013 Pinot Noir, “Flor de Campo”, from Central Coast California. And for my venison it was a 2010 Syrah: Terre Rouge, also from California but from Central Valley.

The conversation slowed somewhat as we sipped and tasted, there is nothing I can say in words to do justice to the clever combination of flavours making up each dish, each of which managed to be just perfect. We just about cleared our plates too - the portions were extremely generous, but it was all too delicious to leave anything behind!

Despite having already digested an ample sufficiency desserts had to be tried, they were included in the three course menu and between us somehow we managed to taste the “lemon meringue pie with basil sorbet”, the “dark chocolate cremeux with walnut ice cream, coffee macaroon and milk chocolate mousse”, and, probably the piece de resistance : “warm salted caramel fondant with cider lolly sorbet and creme fraiche”.

Then back to our fireside settees for coffee and petits fours.

Elegant yet relaxed, top quality food, professional personal service

All in all this was a really excellent all round dining experience, somehow managing to combine elegance with relaxation and comfort, top quality ingredients to produce homely delicious food, professional service with a friendly and personal touch. We concur with the awarders of all the accolades above!

Jane Porter for lymington.com, November 2016

A taste of Thailand on our Lymington doorstep.

How many lovers of Thai cuisine know that you can eat Thai – lunchtime and evenings – a stone’s throw from Lymington?

At the Zen Garden Restaurant at Careys Manor Hotel in Brockenhurst authentic, delicious and beautifully presented Thai Cuisine is available to all.

Zen Garden is also the dining room of SenSpa at Careys Manor. Because the restaurant adjoins the spa, the senses of sight, hearing and especially smell are greeted by a deliciously healthy and uplifting aroma before you’re even at your table.

Dining for all, not just spa users

The key thing is that you don’t HAVE to be using the spa in order to enjoy the restaurant. And the food is absolutely fantastic!

At lunchtime you may find fellow diners dressed in bathrobes. It’s all part of the relaxed atmosphere, and could well tempt us to combine spa with lunch ourselves too, another time. (In the evenings though, all diners are required to wear clothes!)

An oasis of calm sets the scene

The seductive calm envelops you and subconsciously sets the scene for gentle table talk with friends or colleagues, or quiet contemplation for lone diners. This is not the place for an argument at the table – if one was brewing, the desire to start it will surely just melt away!

Friendly, respectful service

The menu arrived and the unobtrusive service of Fon and Ola began. Friendly and respectful, they seemed very keen for us to enjoy our Thai lunch experience. The menu is long, which for connoisseurs of Thai cuisine would be a delight, but as relative novices we decided to put our faith in the selection of the chef, and opted for the tasting menu. This looked large, but because the ingredients of Thai food are all so healthy, we thought we could manage it! And indeed we did....

The “starter” was Meang Khum which turns out to be a platter of crispy dry shrimp, dry coconut, cashew nut, red onion, lime, chilli, bitter nut leaves and chilli palm syrup sauce. It was light, tasty, and fun. Leaving plenty of space for the next course...

.. Tom Khan, which in case you don’t know (?!) is a coconut milk-based soup with mushrooms, flavoured with turmeric, galangal, lemon juice, lemongrass, coriander, chilli and lime leaves. Be warned it’s spicy. But fragrant and tasty too.

Yam Neua followed, beef salad: grilled sirloin of beef in cucumber, tomato, red onion, celery and mint leaves, Thai herb salad and all topped with lime dressing. Very refreshing.

Next came the "main" course which was Duck Massuman with Red Curry Paste - red curry sauce with fresh sweet chilli pepper and lime leaf. Tender and utterly delicious. 

And finally the grand finale which was quite exquisite: Baitiey Pancake which is a Thai pancake with coconut and black Sesame seeds, served with a delectable vanilla ice cream.

English wine was recommended

We drank water, with lemon green tea afterwards to digest our repast. Had we been on the wine we’d have been recommended an English wine from the Dart Valley, fruity and mellow which complements Thai food.

If we hadn’t gone for the tasting menu my eye would have chosen Meang Pla to start: crispy fillet of seabass deep fried with red onion, cashew nuts, ginger, lime, lemongrass, Thai herbs and sweet chilli dressing. That’s for next time.

Price wise starters are £6-£7-ish, salads similar, mains (whether meat, vegetarian, fish or seafood, or curry all around the mid teens.

Outside dining area

There’s a lovely outdoor dining area too.  It was unsuitable for our visit because it was pouring with rain to which, cocooned in our calm sanctuary we were oblivious! However we noted that it nestles in a lovely oasis of greenery, and would be perfect in the newly arrived summer warmth. Indoors would be cosy in winter and the gorgeous aromatherapy oils would one feels banish the bugs!

Authentic Thai cuisine continually updated

From member of staff Thomas I gleaned some of the back story. This is a really authentic Thai restaurant, all the chefs are Thai, and all the staff have worked at Zen Garden for a long time. Head chef Tossaporn Wongsabe has been in post for over 10 years. With team members frequently travelling to Thailand and reporting back on latest ingredients and recipes, he’s able to keep up to date with emerging tastes and continually refresh and update the menu.

There’s an information sheet about Thai cooking which you can peruse while waiting for your meal –it’s a very interesting read!

Thai cuisine on our Lymington doorstep - a thoroughly delicious lunchtime treat!

Overall we were very impressed with our whole experience of Thai dining. We were delighted to find that we could eat genuinely “Thai” food so close to Lymington. The service is swift, the food refreshing and not at all heavy. You could select starter and salad for an inexpensive and light lunch. This really is a feasible proposition for a lunch break and back to work!

Jane Porter July 2016

With 3 AA Rosettes, Cambium is all about the Food, the Service, the Sommelier and the Finishing Touches

In search of a fabulous all round New Forest Restaurant Dining Experience

Eagerly awaited Cambium, the totally renovated restaurant at Careys Manor Hotel Brockenhurst, was opened to a burst of publicity last spring, promising “relaxed refinement” and Chef Paul Peter’s “traditional dishes interpreted with delicate wit, capturing the essence of the local area and embracing the nature of the seasons”. Or in the words of our host for our own Cambium dining experience: “Local ingredients used in a worldly way”.

In January 2016, Cambium was awarded Three AA Rosettes.

What does three AA rosettes mean?

The long-established AA Rosette scheme recognises “successful cooking at different levels” across the UK. But an AA Rosette takes into account more factors than just the cooking. And, AA Rosettes are awarded by AA Hotel and Restaurant Inspectors who arrive unannounced and do not say who they are until they are leaving, and may visit more than once in order to build the full picture necessary to evaluate all the elements of the dining experience.

In fact the awarding of a Rosette seems designed to reflect real life customer expectations, encompassing the food... the service...the sommelier...and the finishing touches!

About 10% of restaurants nationwide are of a standard that is worthy of One Rosette and above. So on that basis, three Rosettes is a fantastic achievement by Cambium less than a year after it first opened.

So with eager anticipation we sat down to dinner!

Dining out: above all it’s about the food

The “Tasting Menu” at £65 looked very long! After discussion with our host Joshua we decided that our appetites on this mid week evening were not sufficient to do it justice. So we opted instead for the standard menu: two courses for £40, three for £49.50 – and in the event we did succumb to delectable sounding desserts.

From a choice of 5 starters we sampled the mackerel “escabeche” including roasted fennel, carrot, orange and citrus dressing which was excellent, and the hand dived scallops with celeriac, pear, roasted hazelnuts and celery cress which was quite simply out of this world and definitely to be recommended.

The menu is changed seasonally, and Careys Manor guests staying even for just a couple of nights will often choose to take at least one meal at one of the other two restaurants - so they don’t tend to run out of choices.

For mains there were again 5 options, my partner chose the pan fried halibut with prawn gnocchi, butternut squash, bacon, brussel sprouts and prawn bisque. The combination sounded a little alternative, but the result was pronounced delicious! I opted for the braised haunch – and loin! - of venison with pickled beetroot, parsnip, spinach and “bitter chocolate”, again an interesting sounding combination which really worked, in fact was quite stupendous - I may run out of superlatives.

Amazingly we found ourselves able to contemplate the dessert menu! The pistachio creme brulee with blackberries and New Forest yoghurt was light, not too sweet, really rather perfect. Whilst the “green apple” cheesecake with sultanas and brown bread ice cream was also wonderful.

I would say that all the portions were very adequate but not too enormous - which for those brought up to eat everything on their plates should be welcome news. Another time I’d be tempted to miss a couple of meals beforehand so as to be able to take advantage of the tasting menu - which does look like fantastic value for a top quality feast!

Discreet, professional service

The service was quiet, professional, not in your face (in some of the more expensive restaurants the staff seem to hover, which is just too much) but still attentive, and friendly too. The photo below is of Sommelier Michael Driscoll with Restaurant Managers Jeremy Whitworth and Joshua Doling.

An exceptional sommelier

A great dining experience enhanced by the knowledge and personality of the sommelier is something else entirely, and I think our stand out memory of this meal is the absolutely first class sommelier Michael, whom we thought Cambium were really fortunate to have on board - but delightfully, Michael is equally happy to be part of the Cambium team. He’s young, learning but already immensely knowledgeable, and so enthusiastic it’s really infectious.

So, in the mood to try new wine, one eating fish and the other venison, and also driving (a small price to pay for living in the wilds of the New Forest – it’s not like London where you can just come out and hail a cab!) we opted for wine by the glass to complement our dishes, and placed ourselves at the mercy of Michael’s recommendations – which turned out to be brilliant!

We also learned lots, about a grape we’d never knowingly tasted – the Albarino from Galicia in north west Spain which is nurtured by the sea air coming gently down off the coastal mountains and results in a wine which tastes discernibly and deliciously of the sea.

An all round dining experience - the finishing touches

The welcome you receive on arrival, the decor, the temperature, the comfort and support of your seat and its height in relation to the table, the ergonomics of the cutlery, the weight and feel of the glass, the ambience (including the proximity of other diners who can seem closer than you’d like when they’re noisy) these are all vital elements of the dining out experience, which can coincide to complement or to detract from an otherwise great meal on any particular occasion.

A restaurant cannot control all of these elements - but it can do its best to minimise the possible effects of the ones it can’t.

Cambium’s subtle layout and the modern decor (with evidence of significant interior design input) lends a sense of space – but with the rear section closed off for mid winter and lower diner numbers, it’s pleasantly cosy too. The subtly positioned love seat style seating is private for couples, while others may prefer the tables set with standard seats.  The overall atmosphere I'd describe as peaceful - and despite a table of revellers close by we didn't feel  disturbed. .

All in all Cambium was very pleasurable dining experience  – and we’ll definitely be back with friends, for the Tasting Menu.

Contact Cambium to book a table.

Date of review:  28 January 2016

A choice of three very different dining styles at Careys Manor – try one of them!

In the heart of the New Forest, Careys Manor Hotel not only welcomes its guests to enjoy the miles of beautiful ancient woodland, luxurious accommodation and award winning spa facilities, the Victorian manor house boasts three dining options, just too good to miss; delicious, unique and award winning cuisine awaits.

Enjoy award winning cuisine in elegance at the two AA Rosette Manor Restaurant

At the elegant two AA Rosette, Manor Restaurant, discover award winning cuisine and excellent service; Executive Chef Chris Wheeldon and his team specialise in creating classic British dishes with an inspired French twist, and are dedicated to using seasonal, free-range ingredients sourced from carefully selected local suppliers. Expect nothing less than excellence when it comes to the service, the Manor team are always on hand to ensure that your dining experience is flawless; from your mouth-watering starter to your post dinner coffees and petit fours in front of the fire. For around £40 per head, you can sample a delicious three course menu, with culinary delights including succulent ‘Creedy Carver Duck with Truffle Mash, Spring Greens, Roast Cauliflower and Almond Jus’ and ‘Caramelised Cashew Nut Parfait, with Glazed Pears and Chocolate Mousse’.

Relax and unwind at the AA Rosette Zen Garden Thai Restaurant

SenSpa at Careys Manor Hotel is an award winning, Thai-inspired spa offering unrivalled treatments and award winning spa facilities, and nothing could be better than a Thai spa with an authentic Thai restaurant. The AA Rosette Zen Garden Restaurant is located next to SenSpa, open to residents, non-residents and spa day guests and offers a true taste of Thailand. The serene Thai palace-inspired restaurant tempts your taste buds with mouth-watering aromas and offers a fusion of exotic flavours taking you to Thailand, without the jetlag. The restaurant’s expert Thai chefs recreate a most delicious and traditional selection of dishes such as the classic ‘Tom Yam Soup’ packed with chilli, and a mouth-watering ‘Gaeng Phed Ped Yang’ (Duck Red Curry), created from the freshest ingredients available, combining herbs and spices from Thailand with local, seasonal produce for an ethical and unforgettable menu. Whether you are ‘lunching’ with friends or enjoying a romantic dinner for two, you can enjoy an authentic feast for around £35 per person, assuming that you cannot resist the ‘Kai Satay’ (Chicken Satay Skewers and Cashew Nut Sauce) to start and a delectable Thai pudding, perhaps the ‘Pineapple Carpaccio with Agave Syrup, Fresh Basil and Coconut sorbet’, because there is always room for dessert.

Enjoy an informal French bistro atmosphere and regional French cooking at Le Blaireau Bar & Bistro

For simply delicious, regional French cooking, a warm relaxed atmosphere and excellent service look no further than Le Blaireau Bar & Bistro, located at the front of Careys Manor Hotel. The charming restaurant invites you to travel to Paris for just one night, full of character and the aromas of home-cooked French food, sip fine wines and enjoy delicious cuisine such as a traditional ‘French Onion Soup’, followed by the perfect French-British combination of ‘28 Day Aged Hampshire Fillet of Beef Medallions with Dauphinoise Potato, Vegetables, Shallot and Red Wine Jus’. At Le Blaireau, you will say ‘Bon Appetite’ for three courses at around £35 per person, that is, not including your choice of delicious French wines, which the team would be happy to assist you with for the perfect pairings.  The unique restaurant even offers its very on French street, La Rue; perfect for groups, the special function room is the ideal backdrop to your special occasion.

So, take your pick of the three Careys Manor Restaurants – and let us know how you find your experience!

March 2014

Award winning Indian cuisine at Rivaaz in Lymington

Rivaaz continues to be rated as the #1 Indian restaurant within 25 miles of the New Forest (TripAdvisor, 2019)

Since opening its doors over a decade ago, Rivaaz has established itself as a firm favourite with locals and attracts regulars from much further afield, who will happily drive several hours to experience Rivaaz's unique combination of excellent, original Indian cuisine paired with great service and a relaxed yet stylish atmosphere that wouldn't be out of place in one of London's swankiest locations.

The restaurant has gone from strength to strength, winning a number of important awards including Best Indian Restaurant in the South Coast of England (Asian Curry Awards, 2018 and 2019), TripAdvisor's Certificate of Excellence for seven consecutive years (2013-2019) and has been a member of TripAdvisor's 'Hall of Fame' for two years, cementing Rivaaz as one of the best restaurants in the world as listed on TripAdvisor. 

“Rivaaz” is the ancient Sanskrit word for “Tradition” and it is with this in mind that that the menus at Rivaaz have been crafted. Using authentic Indian spices and creating unique flavours is what Rivaaz does best adding a modern flair to all the cooking. Rivaaz is not your typical Indian restaurant, funky jazz music plays in the background while you indulge in deliciously cooked Indian delicacies.

Rivaaz Lymington is headed up by the young and enthusiastic Shahin Malek (or Shah as he is more popularly known), having graduated from the University of Westminster in 2005 with a Masters In Marketing, his ambition to create something like no other can be seen in what Rivaaz has become over the years it has been established. His enthusiastic approach is passed onto his staff who take great pride in what they are set out to do and this makes for service which is second to none.

In January 2019, Shah was awarded “Male Entrepreneur of the Year” at the Asian Restaurant Owners Network awards and at the Asian Curry Awards 2019 he also picked up the National Judges Award for “Best Maitre D’ in England”.

The best thing of all about Rivaaz Lymington, is that although every element is a cut above the norm, you still only pay the prices that you would expect to pay for any other Indian meal elsewhere. 

What to eat at Rivaaz

Food is prepared using the freshest and best ingredients - you'll find the usual, familiar Indian dishes on the menu along with many unique dishes, created by the executive head chef, which will tantalise your tastebuds and entice you to return time and time again!

The ever-changing menus showcase unique and innovative Indian food, proving that Indian cuisine does not have be all about chilli and heat but more so about the wealth of authentic flavours that can be achieved by using the right proportions of the right spices.

On various occasions, members of the Lymington.com team have frequented Rivaaz Lymington, hence have tasted much of the Menu. Must try’s include:

• Popadoms with the delicious chutney tray (Mint Yoghurt Sauce, Onion Salad, Mango Chutney and “unique to Rivaaz” Sweet Coconut Chutney)
• King Prawn Puri brims with spice and succulence only possible with fresh produce
• Nawabi Tava comprises of a delightful combination of chicken, lamb, king prawns and duck all cooked together with whole spices and tamarind and served sizzling. Beautifully presented and delicious!
• The Zaal Makhani is delicious and full of flavour
• The Pilau rice is soft and fluffy and Nan breads come hot, straight out of their tandoori oven. 

Many prefer to drink wine nowadays with their meals and Shah has put a lot of effort into selecting the right wines to go with Indian food by employing specialist wine suppliers who understand the special requirements, but if you prefer beer then there are four kinds in stock at all times, as well as cider.

Eat in or take away 

Rivaaz does get busy, especially at weekends so booking in advance is highly recommended. Or opt for a takeaway and take the Rivaaz experience home (in 2018, Rivaaz was voted the Best Indian Takeaway in Dorset and the New Forest by Bournemouth Echo readers).

To view the Rivaaz menu, click here. 

Rivaaz

7 St. Thomas Street
Lymington
Hampshire
SO41 9NA

Tel:01590 - 679 999 or 679 464

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: www.rivaazdining.com

Find more about Rivaaz here.