Visited September 2007

Having travelled on the main A338 between Ringwood and Salisbury on many occasions I had never really taken much notice of a couple of thatched buildings just off the main road a few hundred yards north of the Fordingbridge turn.  It was therefore with some surprise that I discovered this was in fact the Hourglass Restaurant and Bar, a place we had been recommended to review.  The Restaurant and Bar is housed in two old thatched buildings and has it’s own car park at the side.  Ordering our drinks at the bar we were pleasantly surprised at our surroundings.  It appears fairly modern inside with a number of tables set out for drinking or for dining in the bar area.

The staff were very friendly and efficient.  They quickly ascertained that we had booked a table and brought us menus at the bar.  After having chosen our meals a waiter kindly took our drinks and escorted us through to our table.  The restaurant was divided up into small areas or rooms with oak beams throughout.

Our starters arrived very soon afterwards.  I had chosen the Black Tiger Prawns sautéed in garlic butter with an avocado salad.  My fellow diners had chosen a Warm Salad of Wild Mushrooms (with Rocket, Chives, Toasted Pinenuts and a White Truffle Dressing) whilst the other had the Terrine of Poached Salmon and Asparagus.  These were all very well presented and tasted as good as they looked!

For main course we chose the Breast of Corn Fed Chicken, a Duo of Magret Duck (Confit leg and breast) and the Pan Roasted Rare Breed Orkney Island Beef Fillet.  The latter was £24.00, which we thought a little steep however the meat was very tender and tasted delicious.  The main courses were accompanied by vegetables and appropriate sauces, and we ordered a bottle of Boschendal Estate Rose to drink with our meals.  It was very pleasing to see that this restaurant neither charges extra for vegetables nor for bread – a particular pet hate of mine!

For sweets I had a superb White Chocolate and Pinenut Brulee, whilst my companions had a Lemon Possett with Autumn Berries, and the Apple and Blackberry Crumble with Cinnamon Crème Anglaise (which she finished off by drinking off her spoon – it was that good!).

The quality and presentation of our meal was very good however we did comment that the prices were slightly higher than we would have expected.  Having said that, overall we were very pleased and would not hesitate in recommending this Hourglass Restaurant and Bar to our friends.

Cost £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ inc. pre dinner drinks and wine