66 Stanpit
Christchurch
Dorset
BH23 3NA

Tel: 01202 485123

Website: www.theshipindistress.com 

Vegetarian: Yes

Parking: Own car park at rear

Wheelchairs: Possible

Loos: Above average

We decided to return to one of our old favourites which has changed hands within the last year.  A member of the staff who worked there previously is now managing the pub and restaurant.  We were pleased to see that the interior appeared to have been repainted and the whole pub/restaurant had been smartened up and looked good. 

At the bar we were kept waiting a couple of minutes whilst the two barmaids appeared to be sorting out some problem behind the bar, however we felt they could/should have acknowledged our presence.   We were slightly surprised and disappointed that we were not initially recognised as regular customers however one of the restaurant waitresses soon spied us and came across to greet us.  She then went off to ensure we were given a good table in the restaurant!

The landlady soon came across to us in the bar to take our order and returned a few minutes later to show us to our table.

For starters I chose the Seafood Skewer which was very nice and well presented.  My fellow diners picked the Gnocchi and the other had the Chicken and Onion Risotto.  The risotto was so filling she had difficulty finishing her plate!

We like to visit this restaurant mainly because of their Fruits De Mer.  There are not many places in this area that serve a full Fruit De Mer but the ones here take some beating but they are the most expensive thing on the menu!  I do not like crab so the chef kindly replaces my crab with extra seafood and the two of us munch away for an hour or so working our way through a variety of seafood – which seems to vary each time we visit depending on the season.

Our lady diner this time chose the Roasted Cod with Caramelised Onions on Dauphinoise potatoes.  She commented how nice it was but was beaten by the quantity – I tried one of the onions and found it sweet and juicy.

To accompany the seafood we chose a couple of bottles of Muscadet which seemed to compliment the fish very well.  Although this is a predominately fish/seafood restaurant they do serve a couple of meat/chicken dishes, and do also cater for vegetarians.

Having polished off the seafood we moved onto the sweets.  We chose the Bread and Butter pudding with Baileys Cream (strong!), a Raspberry Roulade and a Blackcurrant Panacotta.  The sweets and then coffee rounded off a very pleasant meal.

We look forward to returning again soon!

Ladies Who Lunch Scoring:

Quality of food
Variety of menu
Staff and service
Ambience, setting and decor
Value for Money

Total Yummy Factor

5/5 = Cannot be improved upon, 4/5 = Very good, 3/5 = Good,
2/5 = Satisfactory, 1/5 = Poor, 0/5 = Terrible

The higher the "Yummy" factor, the better the food & service. The higher the number of £ signs the more expensive. (Roughly one £ sign = £5 per head)