Simply Silks Brasserie
Market Place
Romsey
SO51 8ZJ

Tel: 01794 512431

Website: silkshotels.com/The-White-Horse

Vegetarian: Yes

Parking: A few spaces at the rear otherwise public car parks 

Wheelchairs: OK on ground level

Loos: Excellent

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RE VISITED Feb 2010 I enjoyed myself so much I returned the following week with a friend to enjoy the choice of 5 Tapas, to share, with Silks Larder breads, delicious @ £11.  Great to accompany a glass of wine! JI

Visited February 2010 

The White Horse, is situated in the heart of the historic market town of Romsey. The Georgian facade of this Grade II listed hotel conceals a building that dates back to the 14th century with a heritage rich in history and it is one of only twelve inns in the country that can claim to have served as a hotel continuously since the 14th century! 

Three of us (CJ is away) visited this delightful establishment to see what mark Paul and Sarah (formerly of The Plough, Longparish and The Star, East Tytherly) have put on this long standing hotel in the centre of Romsey.  Upon arrival we were immediately made to feel welcome so congratulations on the staff training!   Although the Brasserie has the same decor as in 2008 it somehow felt cosier and warmer, must be the curtains but also it was busy which always creates a better atmosphere. 

Things got even better when we were served a really good G & T made by our waiter Harry, previously of Chewton Glen, Bombay Sapphire with lots of ice and lime and the tonic served separately, perfection!

We were shown the February Specials menu - 2 courses for £12.50 and 3 for £15.00, they include a 175ml glass of Grenache Merlot or Chardonnay Viura so excellent value.  Although there was a good choice of 2 starters, 3 mains and 2 puddings (it’s available between 11am and 10pm Mon to Thurs, 11am and 6.30pm Fri and Sat and 6.30 and 10pm Sunday) we decided to go mad and order from the main menu.  At first glance you think there is almost too much choice but it is very well thought out and offers dishes to suit all tastes and portion sizes.  You would have thought we would have remembered from our last visit NOT to eat all the lovely homemade breads but of course we did so whilst waiting for our starters we devoured a choice of 4 - watercress and horseradish, olive, whole meal and tomato!  

From the choice of Starters and Salads we choose Crispy Duck leg salad with sesame dressing and spring onions £4.95, a cold Smoked Chilbolton trout and hot smoked trout rillette, with watercress palm heart £4.95. (Both these salads can be chosen as main courses along with 3 others at £9.50).  From a choice of 6 starters at varying prices a Potted Salt Beef with watercress and horseradish toast & piccalilli £4.95.  Our favourite was the duck, excellent flavour.
 
For our main courses - Oriental Spiced Chicken fillets with roasted sweet potato & cous cous, finished with coriander yoghurt £13.95, Duck Confit with celeriac puree, braised puy lentils, spinach & pancetta £14.50. Lastly, from the grill choices, best end of Hampshire Lamb £9.50 served with a garnish of  onion rings and chips, plus a side order of creamed spinach with nutmeg £2.95.  These were all well presented as you will see from pictures, generous portions and delightful flavours.
 
Also on this large choice menu are "express" meals e.g. the house special - eggs Benedict with dry cured ham and Hollandaise sauce on a toasted muffin £6.95 and many more, have a look on their web site.   There is also a Children's Menu with 5 choices all at £5.00.
 
Now puddings are usually C J’s thing so just to make her jealous we ordered Caramel Toffee Trio, butterscotch mousse on a crisp praline biscuit, warm treacle tart and sticky toffee pudding £5.75, there was enough for the three of us to have a little taste but for one it was a very generous portion.   To finish the local cheese selection at £6.95 served with walnut bread, homemade biscuits and grape chutney was delicious.  Five local cheeses - Cathedral City, Lynburn, Old Winchester, Stony Cross, Barkham Blue and Isle of Wight soft.   We decided that for a snack lunch the cheese and a glass of wine was the way to go!   Having said that we then viewed the Bar and Lounge Snack Menu and the other way to go is to share five Tapas and Silks larder breads from a choice of 13 for £11.00! 

Just remembered I wanted to mention Gaby, the American chef who creates the puddings, she's still there!  Paul was saying she is amazing with chocolate so they are hoping to use her talents more in that direction, cant wait to try the results!
 
So busy telling you about the choice of foods nearly forgot the wine!  We were all driving so after the fab G & T decided we'd order by the glass.  I had a Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon 175ml £4.75, S.A. a Grenache Merlot £4.25 and J.I. a Pinot Grigio Santa Rosa £4.75.  However, for you wine buffs, there is a good and varied wine list.

I think you can tell we really enjoyed The White Horse, you couldn’t fail to find food to suit all palates, sizes of appetite and at any time of day!  £££££ (including coffees and tip). 

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)