This restaurant features in our Discount Directory, where you can also find many other exclusive cardholder offers. If you don't have a LWL Discount Card, click here to find out more - and start saving!
The White Horse re-opened in November 2011 having been taken over and beautifully transformed by local hospitality company Ideal Collection. Front of House is landlord Chris, together with landlady and head chef Emma, they make a formidable team!
On arrival we were warmly greeted by the staff and first impressions were excellent. Having been shown to our table we took a long time selecting from a really interesting menu, see their site for full details. Wine was the next decision and as some like red and some white we went for a bottle of Rosé de L'hospitalet from the Languedoc region at £22. Dry and fruity and very enjoyable and as this particular wine is served by the glass Chris very kindly let us have a taster first.
From a choice of 6 starters we chose - Crumbed rosary goats cheese, poached pear, walnut dressing & Hampshire watercress £5.50, Chicken liver parfait, rhubarb & ginger compote, toasted sour dough £6, Black pudding fritters, apple compote, cider dressing £6, Treacle cured salmon, pickled cucumber with lemon dressing £6.50. You will see from the photos they were all very well presented and with excellent flavours. As per usual we all tried each other’s and everyone enjoyed everyone’s choices and that doesn't happen very often. The added delight was Emma's bread - walnut, olive, corn and soda together with unsalted butter - yummy! The main course menu had 7 choices and together with the "specials” board it was difficult to choose. From the board I decided on Pan fried bream sat on a bed of chorizo, lentils and tiny cubed potatoes £13.50. From the menu, Ale battered haddock, minted smashed peas, and the best triple cooked chips any of us have had (!) £11.00, Baked smoked haddock rarebit, pickled shallot salad & mustard dressing £12.50, Braised Hampshire beef shin, parsnip dauphinoise, glazed carrot and local ale gravy £14.50. Together with 2 small pots of scrummy red cabbage and spinach, £3 each, we all agreed that the food was amazing! They use freshly cooked local produce and the portion sizes were generous.
The dessert menu consists of 5 choices and honestly we should not have had one, however, for research purposes along came "rhubarb and custard" Emma style… Jelly, mascarpone custard & rhubarb compote £5.50, presented in a Kilner jar and a real winner! Sharp and sweet, but not too sweet, just right, and very yummy yet again. We finished with a Cafétier of coffee at £2.50 each with some light fluffy biscuits, made by Emma. According to Chris, just like her!
For a Wednesday in January they were doing reasonable business; with all the effort and hard work put in by this young couple and their staff we are sure the White Horse will soon be a very popular destination eatery! The village must be delighted to have such a venue as it’s the ideal meeting place for a pint and sarnie if you don't want the full works. It’s lovely and has al fresco tables for the summer months.
Why not try the "Dine with Wine" offer - 2 courses, a bottle of house wine & coffee for just £29.95 per couple. This offer applies to the special dine with wine menu, maximum of 6 people, only throughout Jan and Feb, Mon - Fri lunch or dinner.
We highly recommend, Cost £££££Please help to spread the word by telling any restaurants you visit that you tried them because you were recommended by LWL in Hampshire... Thank you! |
LWL Gold Award - Awarded January 2012 - Cost ££££££
