Revisted May 2010 4 of us enjoyed an amazing lunch here, Verveine is really very special and well deserves its high score! SA. February 2010 Residents of Milford-on-Sea will know that Verveine was originally Monks, the well reputed and long established fishmongers. Stacey and Jon Crouch and David Wykes have reinvented and modernised this traditional old business and have added to it by creating a charming little restaurant behind the fish shop.
We visited Verveine, interestingly French for verbena and meaning lemon thyme, a couple of weeks after its grand opening. Upon entering the shop do stop and take in the wonderful display and variety of fish on offer, you know from the smell it is mouth wateringly fresh! Whilst making your way to the restaurant area you pass David, joint proprietor and Chef, and Ross, his assistant, toiling away in the open kitchen. How these two lovely, well rounded gentlemen work in such a small but obviously efficient area is amazing and great to watch and admire! The decor with its fish theme is delightful with effective lighting and there’s soon to be a lovely outlook (an outside deck area is planned)! It is compact (32 covers) and on two levels but wheelchair access is possible. Once seated we took sometime to make our food choices; the menu is different, very inventive, and you need time to make your choices, no rushing! A large chalk board is presented with 18 varieties of fish; this will alter depending on fish prices and availability. The set menu of 2 courses £13.95 and 3 courses £17.50 has two choices per course and from it S.A. decided on Smoked duck with celeriac remoulade followed by Smoked haddock with grain mustard mash and chive buerre blanc - the duck was served in the smoking glass dome, very effedtive! She finished with White chocolate mousse with pecan biscotti. Ample portion sizes, delicious flavours and really good value.
From the Main menu I chose local Crab mayonnaise topped with sweet corn sorbet £7.95 (beautiful presentation) and J.I. a selection of Sashimi style fish, caviar and wasabi £9.95 followed by 'Bouillabaisse' Verveine £16.95, a selection of fish and shell fish. From the Fish Chalk Board I decided on Cod, fresh from Brixham that morning, £15. To accompany your fish choice you can decide on 4 very different garnishes. I went for Land & Sea potato puree and slow cooked chicken wings with a bordelaise sauce. We also enjoyed 3 side dishes all at £2.50 each - macaroni cheese with smoked bacon, so yummy, local forest mushrooms with thyme and olive oil garlic and a selection of young vegetables. The side dishes were served in lovely little pans. Do go to Verveine's web site to read full details of their menus. We enjoyed a delightful Muscadet de Serve et Maine sur Lie 'La Griffe' at £18.50.
Needless to say as S.A. had a pud in her set menu we had to share one too! Again an interesting concept, 4 different desserts but within each dessert was a selection of 3 or 4 different tastes and all £6.95 each. Our choice was peanut parfait, strawberry ice cream, dark chocolate marquise with caramel sauce. Scrummy!
The enthusiasm from mine hosts is very evident and they truly deserve to do well for all their hard work. Chef David’s food is inventive as I've said before, but he also makes all the delicious breads, parfaits and ice creams. The Madelines, truffles and pecan biscuits served with the coffee are also all home made. Watch this space for a David Wykes Cook Book!! Although there is pork and fillet steak on the menu this is most definitely a restaurant for fish lovers and we all really loved it! We agreed it was one of the nicest and most unusual eating experiences we have enjoyed.
Verveine is discreetly tucked between businesses in the High Street and therefore no parking. Fortunately there is a public car park behind at £2 for 3 hrs. The loos are worth 10/10! Cost £££££££ but we did have the “works” and this included the tip. | 
LWL Gold Award - Awarded November 2010 - Cost £££££££
