K i n g s 8 R o a d

It is rare to be able to say that you have eaten in a superb new restaurant before it is even open, rather as it is rare to be able to say you have seen the latest blockbuster movie before it is released, but that was the happy fate of your Lucky Ladies who were invited to join a group friends to preview 8 Kings Road, the brand new dining experience which is opening in Southsea on 1st December 2006.

The consortium behind the venture have invested around £1million in refurbishing yet another redundant bank building and have done a first class job, combining classic Victorian architectural features like wood panelling and marble floor tiles with sweeping, swirling chandeliers and the almost inevitable brown leather seats and marble tables. The result is an imposing dining room which is intimate rather than intimidating and allows one to concentrate on the quality of the food.

To complete the investment, they have also brought in Head Chef Karl Byron whose background in Michelin-starred kitchens certainly shows through when the food begins to arrive! Today’s special menu began with Smoked Salmon Millefeuille, layers of smoked salmon and smoked salmon butter pressed into a terrine, then sliced and served with a sherry & coriander dressing and charred rye bread. It was delicious, not too filling but rich enough to be special.

The main course of Roast Saddle of Lamb was so tender that we speculated as to whether this animal had ever walked at all and it came with a courgette and pepper gratin, herb crusted tomatoes and basil jus. There was also a wonderful little pastry tart filled with a caramelised shallot – it will be long time before I forget how delicious that was (and how difficult to identify!!).


The final triumph was the dessert of crispy pineapple and passion fruit sorbet with a winter fruit salad, every bit as good as it sounds.

They have put together a young and enthusiastic team for this venture and the level of service reflects a quality organisation, efficient and unobtrusive.

The verdict? If they can keep up the standard we saw demonstrated today, it is a real (if rather pricey) find and they will do very well. They have a well balanced menu with plenty of choices for the non-meat eaters, especially on the evening menu. It would be a great venue for a special occasion but with starters at between £8 and £12 and mains at £16 to £25 it is not for those on a tight budget! However, they will also be doing lunches at the more reasonable rate of £20 for two courses and £25 for three courses (excluding wine of course!) I’m not sure the bank manager would have approved – but he’s long gone anyway!