Barley Hill
Dunbridge
Near Romsey
SO51 0LF

Tel: 01794 340401

Website: www.millarms.co.uk

Vegetarian: Yes

Parking: Alongside/behind

Wheelchairs: Restricted

Loos: Good

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Two of us lunched here after visiting the charming gardens and lovely alpacas at Houghton Lodge www.houghtonlodge.co.uk . The Mill Arms is situated in the heart of the Test Valley, close to Mottisfont Abbey & Gardens and only 15 minutes from Romsey and Stockbridge. It is easy to find, although detailed directions can be found on the “contact us” tab of the excellent website, if required.

The 18th century inn has retained many of its original features such as flagstone floors, oak beams, large open fireplaces and real ales! but now also specialises in good food and fine wines under the  “Country Pub and Dining” banner. Lunch and dinner is served seven days a week, throughout the day on Saturdays and Sundays.

All food is home prepared and cooked to order. There is a wide and varied selection (a la carte and pub favourites) which changes so regularly that the daily menus are displayed on blackboards rather than in printed form – a sample can be found via the “dining” tab on the website.

We started by sharing the “Citrus Cured Salmon, Avocado and Sweet corn, with Black Pepper Crème Fraiche” – this was attractively presented on a piece of slate and was just the right combination of salmon and other textures/flavours. For mains we chose one of the vegetarian options, “Courgette, Red Onion and Goats Cheese Roulade with Almond Couscous and a spicy Red Pepper Sauce” together with “Fillet of English Beef with Horseradish Ice Cream, Braised Leeks and Wild Mushroom Puree” – both were absolutely top quality. The Roulade combined distinct flavours with subtlety, whilst the Ice Cream Horseradish with melt in the mouth Beef was a real revelation.

For pud we agreed to share but then could not agree on what! Banana Pannacotta, Caramelized Pecan Parfait, Lemon Tart and Raspberry Jelly and Ice Cream were all in dispute so we ended up with Eton Mess, a delicious concoction of Meringue, Cream and summer fruits, including fabulous early season plump blackberries – what a treat!

This was one of the best eating experiences that we have enjoyed over recent times. The food was superb and the service provided by a young team, warm and efficient. We have promised ourselves a quick return – the Monday evening “Curry Specials” are a must come the Winter months!

PS A note from the male in our party. The Gents are worth a special visit – the 1920s “pin ups” are a real treat!
PPS from CJ, have just discovered that the Head Chef is Joe Cathers previously of the Running Horse where he gained them the 2 rosettes they hold and also of The Pour House (he also worked for Heston Blumenthal at the fat Duck in Bray), no wonder the food is so good!

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)