White Star Tavern

On a cold, wet and windy day two of us set out to cheer ourselves up with lunch in the popular Oxford Street. We decided to revisit The White Star which has recently been revamped plus, we read, there has been the addition of thirteen luxurious en-suite guest bedrooms all equipped with the latest technology and entertainment. We asked to see them and discovered the rooms are attractive with a relaxing atmosphere, softly furnished and reasonably priced. Details and pictures on their website.

On our arrival we were warmly greeted by the friendly staff and shown to our table. Whilst perusing the lunch menu we nibbled on the bread selection with olives and dip, sipping our glasses of white wine. Our starters were delicious, Goats cheese and wild mushroom spring roll with an olive tapenade and Sesame tempura calamari with chilli oil dip.

For main courses we chose the special of the day Suckling Pig, mashed potatoes and baby turnips and the popular Fish cake with poached egg and chive butter sauce, served with fries and mixed salad leaves. Both were delicious and served artistically. Just to complete the fine lunch we shared the Chocolate parfait with milk ice cream, along with very good coffee.

I can honestly say the whole experience was excellent. Guy our waiter was very helpful and friendly and the attractive surroundings made us feel very welcome.

The menu has several traditional Pub classics such as Beer battered Fish, Homemade Burger and fries, Maple roasted ham, eggs and chips and if you just want a Lite-Bite there are good choices of salads and sandwiches.

All in all the surroundings are spacious and comfortable, the service is good but most importantly the food is good and not overpriced. Bar Bites & Starters: £4.50-£6.00 Mains: £9.50 - £11.00 If you order the 10oz sirloin of beef it will cost you £19.00!! Ladies don't do that! The wine list is interesting with clear descriptions of each variety. (Plenty to choose from plus 4 reds and 4 whites by the glass)

At weekends a brunch is served from 11-3pm (Sat) 12-3pm (Sun) and also Their famous English Sunday Roast from 12-9pm.

1. Quality of food 4/5

2. Variety of menu 4/5

3. Staff & Service 4/5

4. Ambience, setting and decor 4/5

5. Value for money 3/5

Total Yummy Factor 19/25

Report JI

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

UPDATE APRIL 2006 Very pleased to be able to report that The White Star Tavern is the only Southampton restaurant in the Which 2006 Good Food Guide.

Just popped in for a "Light Bite! I had Bacon, Lettuce & Tomato Baguette, Mayonnaise, Fries, Petite salad, & my partner Cumberland Sausage & Mash with Onion Gravy... delicious. And we were very warm!! Had a couple of glasses of house white so

Had lunch here early in December & then later in the month gathered here for dinner with friends for a Christmas celebration.

It is very tastefully decorated and beautiful to look at. I was very impressed with the taupe suede sofas, it will be interesting to see what they look like in a few months time! Very elegant surroundings!

For lunch I enjoyed Shepherd's pie with a parsnip crust followed by Chargrilled peaches, with Amaretto mascarpone. For dinner I chose Cheddar leek & spinach tart, then Crispy pork, lyonnaise potatoes, blistered leeks with whiskey cream sauce & finished with Chocolate tart served with raspberry coulis! Everything was delicious and all my fellow diners were also really pleased with their choices. The only reason I am not going to award The White Star Tavern a Smiley is because of lack of atmosphere. On both occasions there were not many other diners and it was cold! (Jan 2004, Bet its warmed up a lot by now !) They did apologise at our lunch that they had problems with the heating but I was still cold in there two weeks later. I am sure that before long their reputation for excellent food will spread & they will be as busy as most of the other Oxford Street establishments. On each occasion we drank house white.

Cost, difficult as I was a guest but very roughly lunch £ £ £ & dinner, with a lot more wine, £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £