Visited July 2009 (in discount directory offering 10% discount on food, Lunch & Dinner, EVERYDAY in the bar for Card Holder + unlimited guests, except for special events and in conjunction with other offers.  Preferential room rates, subject to availability.   No charge for private room hire.)

To celebrate being back "in business" (I took June off to celebrate my son's wedding) the four of us chose to meet at The Bell having heard good things about it on the grapevine.  We were not disappointed.  It is situated in the heart of The New Forest so an ideal venue from which to explore the UK's newest National Park.  As soon as we entered we began to appreciate the tasteful refurbishment that took place a couple of years ago, it has a comfortable country feel but we also loved the contemporary design.  (Regulars will know how strongly we believe that shabbiness and dust does not not equate olde worlde charm!)  Golfers will love it as it adjoins Bramshaw Golf Club, the oldest in the County and home to two excellent courses.... it says they are excellent in the brochure, we LWL are not qualified to comment!  So moving on to the food... Briscoe's is their 2 AA rosettes fine dining restaurant, also mentioned in the Michelin Guide, but as it was lunch time we chose to eat in the bar where they serve the full menu from noon until 9.30pm.  There is a specials board but as they have such an interesting menu have to admit we didn't even look at it.  As usual we enjoyed G & T's whist making our choices and we chose a Gavi de Gavi @ £21.50 to drink with our food.

Our starters arrived to a chorus of WOW, presentation was delightful, all tasted delicious but the crab cake was declared our favourite.  Must mention the very sweet pea shoots that accompanied the goats cheese, such a lovely flavour, oh and the basket of mixed hot home made breads!

The mains continued the high standard set by the starters except for my Shepherd's pie which was a tad too salty.  The liver was superb!

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