Comment

WHEN you take visiting friends you want to impress to a restaurant, you know it must be good. This is not one of those guilty secrets of a place, this is something to show off - a gastro pub with style and excellent cuisine.

Previously The Clump, The Chilworth Arms has now been opened in its current reincarnation for a year - and the food has got better each time I have visited.

Despite being a really excellent restaurant, The Chilworth Arms has retained a lovely bar area unlike many foodie pubs who drag every penny of revenue they can out of their menu.

It was here we sat and enjoyed a drink from an excellent selection while waiting for our table to become available.

We were a little late to be seated, but I think that is forgivable as we had been rather hopeful in booking very late on for a table for five on a Saturday night in December.

As soon as we were seated, the staff were exceptionally friendly and attentive.

Our table was in a secluded location next to the fire, somewhere I have never sat before.

This was the perfect spot for a winter's night, while the light and airy conservatory area and garden are wonderful during the summer months.

I always try to persuade friends to share a starter as the Baked Camembert with onion chutney is simply divine.

This time we opted for that cheesy little delight plus a mezze platter, a lovely assortment of dips, breads, olives and vine leaf parcels.

For my main course, I enjoyed one of the light meals as I find anything else too substantial after devouring much of the gooey cheese for starter.

My yummy crab cakes were infused with just the right amount of tomato, chilli and coriander and served with a gorgeous salad of tiny chunks of onion and tomato. My whipped potato side order was the perfect comfort food I craved.

My companions enjoyed two different varieties of pizza - fired and always flavoursome, plus a well-cooked tuna carpaccio and a really hearty steak burger topped with cheese and bacon.

For dessert, we shared a chocolate pudding, which arrived as a large chunk of chocolate brownie with chocolate oozing from it, a scoop of ice cream and a decorative stained glass window design.

All in all, your mates will be utterly impressed with your exquisite taste in restaurant.

A meal for five with one round of alcoholic and soft drinks came to £84.50.

The Chilworth Arms, Chilworth.

Tel: 023 8076 6247.

3:39pm Friday 7th December 2007

Print

Email this

Comment

Add your comment

Name:
Email: *
Location:
**
	e.g. 123-123
Comment: Please note: All HTML tags will be ignored. Format Text:
By posting a comment, I confirm that I have read and agree to the terms of use. Comments are not moderated but we will react if anything that breaks the rules comes to our attention and we may delete inappropriate postings. Please treat other people with respect. You must not post anything that is abusive, indecent, unlawful or defamatory. Remember, you are personally liable for what you post on this site. If you wish to complain about a comment, contact us here.
* Your email address will not be displayed ** To avoid register now or login

Entertainments editor Lorelei Reddin Tel:023 8042 4877 Email: lorelei.reddin@soton-echo.co.uk