The Raft Bistro opened in Milford on Sea last Autumn and was just what the village needed!  A funky little bistro/bar/restaurant serving homemade pizza, and a range of specials.  It has a great cosy atmosphere and is always busy, so booking is a must!  There is a wide selection of pizzas, from the usual to something a bit different.  They are baked on site using a pizza oven and have a delicious thin crust, my particular favourite is called Tiddle i toe and has feta cheese, mixed peppers and olives.  The homemade burger, onion and cabbage potato cake and tarte du jour are also worth a try, not forgetting the sweet potato chips that are to die for!  It's also a great place just for a drink by the fire or for coffee in the morning to chill out a read the papers after a walk along the sea front.  You can view the menu on their website http://www.theraftmos.co.uk and even follow them on twitter @theraftmosIt's definately worth a visit. 

We read the LWL review on the White Horse in Otterbourne and thought we would try it for lunch yesterday (Friday).   On arrival the car park was quite full but no disabled spaces allocated that we could see.  Quite a long hike for my husband who has walking difficulties.   Maybe this turned him into Mr Grumpy because when I asked to set up a tab I was asked to leave my card behind the bar.  Something all banks state should not be done.  Apparently the pub does not have the facility to swipe the card and people walk off without paying.  I was going to jump up and down and pay for everything as we went, but not sure how that would work in the restaurant.  To cut a long story short, my husband had a few appropriate words, we paid for our drinks, kept our cards safely with us and left.  We were not alone in doing this, another couple did the same, but more discreetly.  I wonder if they treated the LWL in the same way.  However, we moved onto the trusty Bugle in Twyford and had a lovely lunch, setting up a tab, keeping our cards safely with us and paying for everything at the end with our card at our table.  Well done the Bugle, think again the White Horse.  

I thought you might like to know of a new restaurant that has just opened in Bishops Waltham.  Four of us had supper there last night and it was delightful.  The restaurant is Piccola Roma, 1 Houchin Street, Bishops Waltham and, as the name suggests, it is Italian and serves simple but delicious Italian food at a reasonable price. My squid was just right (not rubbery as it so often is) and my main course of aubergine, tomato and parmesan extremely tasty.   

A village pub/restaurant serving good food at a good price. Good selection of ales, good service, good parking. Been back many times. Try the home-made faggots with mash - if you're hungry. Not the hard, commercially produced bullets, but surprisingly light. Large plate full, but just couldn't bear to leave any of it.

Not far from the Bakers Arms (which is closed Sunday evenings) The Hurdles has a good menu, fairly priced, with a good selection of the local Bowman ales (lovely). The complimentary (bread and) butter to start is delicious. Situated in Station Road. Soberrton, but closer to Droxford.

Busy little place, great food - locally sourced, good service, good choice of local beers. Advise booking. Not far from the Bridge at Shawford, which has gone off a bit lately.

Next time you're in Beaulieu try Monty's bar, right next to the Montague Hotel. I reckon they share the Michelin-starred kitchen, but not the pricing. Best fish and chips I can remember eating.

I have always enjoyed the food and the hospitality that the owners of The Mill have shown us,  what did surprise me was the attitude of the staff when the owners were away. We went to The Mill in early December and we were greeted by a very friendly young lad,  nothing was too much bother.  W had our two girls,  aged 5 and 6 with us and he treated them as adults and managed to coax their food and drink requirements out of them in a tench of the time it would have taken us,  their parents!! We went again a few days ago and again the service was fantabulous!! The lovely lady owner wasn't there but a chap,  who I assume is her husband was,  along the the lad before and another.  Again nothing was aproblem,  kids don't want chipc,  the how about mash?  Would the girls like to watch pizza being made?   We have never had a bad meal or service there and at a time when it is probably a bit cheaper to eat in a restaurant than a pub good food and service are a must.  I am sure it is always so for everybody not just because my daughter has found two four leafed clovers in the gardens!! 

Am surprised at the experience of the guest who visited 13 Deember 2011.  I've eaten at the old forge many times over the last 2-3 years and at no time have i felt rushed.  i think this establishment has the right mix - a welcoming bar area where you can have meals in a more informal setting than the restaurant.  the food is reliable but i would say that the prices have crept up over the last 6 months and the price of champagne is now tops at £19 a bottle (from £15).  this must have been a loss leader but after a couple of bottles with friends it was so easy to decide to finish the evening with an unplanned meal.  am not now inclined to do this.  a good thing there is now competition with the newly refurbished white horse but reports are mixed on the food (warm) and service (veg came after we had finished our meal).  for the price they are charging they are going to have to up their game . 

As there was a long queue at the beef burger van in B&Q I was persuaded, against my better judgement, to go to the Old Forge in Otterbourne for lunch.   As soon as we walked through the door the, I presume, landlord shouted out hello, I like a greeting but normally when I reach the bar! No time was given for us to check which real ales were on and we felt rushed to place our order.  To appease him I requested my glass of wine order, despite not knowing if my husband may have preferred to share a bottle of wine if he couldn’t find an ale to his liking.  Short measures were given on the pint, which seems to be par for the course these days in most pubs, despite the cost of a pint.  We asked to set up a tab as we were eating, a swipe of the card was needed, his hand was held out waiting for the card, and more or less in my purse as I tried to find the right card.  Food was delivered, and I asked if they could bring us another couple of drinks, response given was that they don’t do table service in the bar, but as they were quiet they would on this occasion.   I nearly asked her not to bother herself.   I went to the bar to pay the bill and was advised it was £30.35,  no question of did we enjoy our food, I had to request to see the bill there was no offer to print it off despite the till having the facility.   We left with no farewell.  Would not go back again; prefer to wait for the beef burger man at B&Q.  Better and more civilised service.  

I had supper here in late November with 5 friends - one of our bi-annual get-togethers.  Not many people there so it was nice and quiet. Staff were attentive but not over-bearing.  We all enjoyed our starters and main courses - no complaints except a bit of my liver was not very well cooked.  Everything else was fine, including for the two of us who had pudding.  We were all very happy with the evening, and will be going back for our next reunion.

Had Saturday lunch with friends at the Verveine Fishmarket Restaurant in Milford on Sea today. As always excellent. We chose from their Christmas menu - very good selection. Service and atmosphere can't be faulted - it's no wonder they continually win awards. Used my LWL discount card for the first time - the chocs and goodies were amazing. Whilst it's not the cheapest in Milford it is certainly the best by far.

Visited this very pleasant gastro pub on Tuesday. Nice blues music in the background, and above average pub food. Smoked mackeral pate with hot toast was excellent, potted shrimps average. Pork chop with mustard mash competant, fish dish sauce a little overwhelming. Fruit crumble disappointing, as rather bland. Would still recommend the trip as just northwest of Romsey.

We went to the Plough for lunch yesterday, haven’t been for a while, don’t know why.  But it is just as good as before. Very busy, I forgot it was half term and hadn’t booked, but we were lucky, had the last available table.  There is a very varied menu of freshly cooked food.  I know Gordon Ramsay says a varied menu is a bad sign, but the Plough can seem to pull if off.  Staff, despite being busy, were very pleasant and professional.  Husband had a very nice partridge, cooked to order and  I had a ciabatta with belly pork and apple sauce.  All very nice, mustn’t leave it so long next time.                                                         

I booked a table of 12 at seashells recently for my husbands birthday and had a fantastic time. The table was set out with balloons on each chair, candles and birthday confetti.  The staff were very friendly and made us all feel very welcome. We were given a table by the window which had a lovely view of across the water.  The food was amazing.  I had the seabass from the specials which was very nice, served with new potaotes and a mixture of vegetables.  My husband had the venison pie which again he said was really tasty.  We all had a variation of meals from the specials and on the main menu. The waitress was very helpful on helping us choose a nice wine to complement our meals.  I find it a breath of fresh air when you get someone who knows alot about the different types of wines. Ive been to many places places before and when asked about the wines they havent a clue.  At the end of the evning the staff brought out the cake and all sang happy birthday, with a few of the other diners joining in as well.  All in all a lovely evening. The whole place had a very friendly and warm feel about it and place looks fantastic now. Would definately go back.

We were a party of six who lunched at The Chestnut Horse. Easton yesterday. Between us we have many years of experience of eating in restaurants/eateries......The Chestnut Horse, already immensely popular,  was simply 'fabulous', indeed perfect. And....because I am the proud possessor of The Ladies who Lunch Discount Card....10% was deducted from the total paid. Again fabulous...I have used the Discount Card many times...in fact I was given it as a present....

Lainston House Hotel, my ancestral home,  was at its best yesterday on a sunny autumn day.  The views and grounds were simply stunning.   Took ones breath away.The repast and staff  were of course, excellent.Now and again,  I wish a tiny corner of the house could become a bistro,  a small restaurant serving moderately priced simple meals in the minimum of time.   Home cooking with robust earthy dishes, and slow-cooked foods like cassoulet.   Guess it’s just wishful thinking.

Have recently noticed that several restaurants in Winchester are cleaning the outside of their premises early in the morning...WELL DONE and CONGRATULATIONS.  Tells me  their KITCHENS will also be spanking clean. Now wouldn't it be superb if other establishments followed this example.Watch this space, I'll report back...and with names...... 

Met with to friends for an evening meal.  We had been a few tomes before and had enjoyed it.  Arrived at 6pm.  had a nice table. We chatted a bit before ordering, food came and was delicious.  Only problem was the staff approching our table every few minutes asking if we were ok or if we needed any drinks.  I like customer service, but thiis was overboard.  We had the pudding menu, but were chatting, so the menu was taken away...we hadnt asked for this!.  Anyway we ordered 3 puddings.  1 ice cream and two walnut wonder....5 minutes later...no walnut wonder left....so we chose something else...they didnt have that either!!! We finished with coffee...luckily they had some of that.  When it came to pay they ran out of paper for the card machine...then it wouldnt print....too many 'issues' for one night.  Normally ok...but will be trying elsewhere next time

Just been for supper at the Water Margin in North Baddesley after the LWL report.  We did not eat from the lunch menu but chose our choices from the A La Carte.  We thought it would be better than the Buffet Menu which seemed good value but did not have all our choices on it.  I had satay chicken, the satay was not on top of the chicken but served in a separate small dish.  Not enough satay and very dry chicken, husband had a fish soup, which initially he said was bland but apparently he enjoyed.  Our next choices were sizzling fillet steak which was tough as old boots and inedible, left chewed lumps that could not be swallowed back in sizzling plate for staff to see,  Kung Po King Prawns were good and a Birds Nest fish dish, my husband seems to recall that in China they used to serve up a real form of birds nest but this was just a potato formation which was tasteless as was the fish.  We left most of it, when asked by the waitress would be like to take it home, we declined, no question of if we enjoyed it.  Before paying the bill we said we were very disappointed but the bill arrived at £52 for two of us, unfortunately we were not 52lbs heavier.  When paying the bill we again said the food was not eaten and not to our satisfaction, only response was, ‘I only work here’.  The owner will be getting a letter.  Would not recommend and would not go again.  Did say we came on recommendation of LWL but they looked at me blankly and did not say goodbye.