Keats

We were a party of 9 visiting today and once again we were not disappointed. Their 2 Course lunch is just over £13 and 3 courses just over £15 so together with house wines at £14.95 a bottle they offer good value. Included in the main course choices is fresh fish of the day; today's was either sole or salmon trout, both ample portions and worth the cost of the two courses alone. Today's fresh veggies included a delicious Savoy cabbage with bacon - I would have been very happy with just had a bowl of that together with my mouth watering lamb shank, very yummy !!

Keep up the good work Daverio and Helen, the owners, and the staff and in particular Donato the Head Waiter who has now served 25 years for Daverio and has been rewarded with a place on the Board! Many Congratulations.

1. Quality of food 4/5

2. Variety of menu 4/5

3. Staff & Service 4/5

4. Ambience, setting and decor 3/5

5. Value for money 3/5

Total Yummy Factor 18/25

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

We had several valid reasons for a celebration and this time a party of six headed to Keats Restaurant at Ampfield near Romsey for Saturday lunch. We were not disappointed, we never are!

What a joy it is to eat at Keats for either Lunch or Dinner, a special occasion or just a quick bite. There is always a warm welcome and the truly competent staff give friendly and unobtrusive service, so rare these days. Within minutes of my request, a lightly chilled Italian sparkling wine was being poured and with our meal we chose to drink a Pinot Grigio Rose which was first class.

There is an extensive menu to choose from, we chose both Asparagus and Minestrone Soup and Lamb Kefta with plum sauce. Then we decided on Dover Sole, Salmon Trout and Grey Mullet, without exception we thoroughly enjoyed all our choices. Ample portions together with hot, fresh vegetables are served and the sauces are to die for.

Chefs puddings are a definite must. Our choices were fresh fruit salad, ‘no one can make it better’ trifle, tiramisu and coffee panacotta.

It is worth noting that vegetarians and celiacs, together with other dietary needs, are especially catered for. There is wheelchair access and the loos, including a spacious disabled loo are above average.

A party of 6 visited this well established Restaurant yesterday for lunch and although we have reported on Keats before I am updating on this delightful place.

We all enjoyed the excellent value 3 course lunch time menu, a very reasonable £11.90 per head. There are 5 choices of starters, and we had 2 Soup of the Day which was French Onion. 3 enjoyed Crepes a la Keats (pancakes filled with spinach and ham topped with a creamy sauce and baked in the oven). l had an Apple and Cheese Salad. All good portions and very tasty.

Several main courses to choose from - 2 had Lamb in a Rosemary Sauce, fish of the day was Haddock and Trout, and could be cooked to your choice. One had Haddock cooked in Garlic and Wine and one had it in a Mornay sauce, and lastly one had Trout cooked in a Salmon Sauce. The 6th person had Beef in Wine and Mushroom sauce. Again all delicious and served with vegetables and potatoes of the day.

Our puddings were Pannacotta caffe x 4, a Banoffe mousse and one Fresh Fruit Salad. I do not know how they do it for such a reasonable price. Coffee and mints are extra at £1.50 each but a refill was not charged for, We had two bottles of house dry white £11.95 a bottle, making a total of £20 per head including tip. Still very happy to give Yummy factor 9/10

Report by SM.

Four of us were dining and we all ate very well. Our companions were known to the owner and we were pleased to drink his recommended wine from Italy!

Two of us started with Fresh Crab which was served at room temperature together with three sauces, very good! The other two starters were Fresh Pasta and Calamari Frite, both excellent.

For the main course two of us shared a Chateau Briand which was cooked to perfection. The most expensive dish of the evening was a cold Fresh Fish Platter which contained, amongst many shell fish, lobster, crab and prawns.

The service was excellent and I would thoroughly recommend Keats! Our evening was a special occasion and was expensive but it is possible to eat in a much more modest manner!!!