Very impressed with the menu choices in the dining room. Blown away with the quality and freshness of our crab, oysters and scallops We were a little worried that our very low carb diet would be difficult to adhere to - no desserts, breads or wines for us. However, we were treated respectfully and the service was excellent. We both chose rib eye steaks on the bone which we understand are sourced from Donald Russell they were exceptional - perfectly cooked, tender and delicious. Well done chefs and service team. 5 * for whoever put the menu together. - best choices we have seen and perfectly cooked and presented.
Natalie Morgan
We had such a lovely time! Your attention to detail is just wonderful. Everything from the sea of Primroses outside, to the lovely fires and interior decor. Your employees are truly exceptional and we give a special shout out to the waiter who serviced our tea. Thank you for hosting such a lovely time for us. We will all be returning.
Melanie W-L
Food was lovely.
Matthew Hall
Simply magical - the service, the food, the decor……we will be back!
hollyrosewatts
We went to The Dining Room on Saturday night as a celebration for my birthday and we were not disappointed. We ate from the festive menu and the meal was absolutely fabulous. Every course was beautifully presented and tasted delicious. The food really was incredible. We particularly loved how the Christmas pudding was presented at the table! We enjoyed the wine from the wine list and the sommelier was very friendly and helpful. The staff were also great - attentive but not over bearing. The restaurant was beautifully decorated for Christmas. The staff brought over a small desert plate for my birthday which was a lovely touch too. We absolutely loved our evening here and would happily return again - 5*.
Mark C
Excellent meal at this high quality Restaurant in New Milton. Service, surroundings, food and location contributed to a very enjoyable Birthday lunch. The quality of the meal, as you would expect from an establishment like this, was faultless and much enjoyed. The staff were very friendly and attentive, without being over bearing which can happen in similar type of restaurants. After the meal, it was a sunny afternoon, so we explored the grounds at this lovely location. The gardens and ornaments are very impressive and you are in no doubt you are in First Class venue. Much recommended....
heather127
I went with my partner last night for dinner at 9 pm. I was told upon booking they only had a table t 9 pm as they were fully booked ! Actually, there were quite a lot of tables that weren’t being used, but my main issue was the service was incredibly slow. There was one really nice , middle-age gentleman in his suit as the waiter and that’s he was having to do all the tables by himself, more or less the service was very very slow, and apart from that when the main course came which was very nice we both had the pork. The meal was almost cold. It was not great to be honest hardly any choice on the deserts again we was given the dessert menu and it took 15 minutes for somebody to come and ask us if what we wanted for which we said thank you but we are going to leave it. We were not asked if we wanted any coffee all in all for me on my birthday. It wasn’t a great experience I would only give it 5 out of 10. I have been to the Chewton Glen a few times. I’ve never had this problem before but last night experience wasn’t good .£175. For 2 courses which were cold. I glass of red wine for me and lager for my friend which took forever to come to the table. !!!! Not good ! Very underwhelmed !
keith3270
My wife and I were staying at the hotel, which we had been to before, still a relaxing, beautiful hotel, nice rooms, with excellent spa facilities. We thought we would try the tasting menu at £95, “reasonable” if it was a Michelin star but as we were to find, it certainly is not. The dining room is delightul, looking out over the fabulous gardens, service was friendly and efficient. So far so good, but then came the food, oh dear, the head chef must have had a day off. Some of the ideas were good but the execution was very poor. Both of our twice baked cheese souffles hadn’t risen, tasted ok but had the texture of an omlette, why let them off the pass ? The next dish was chicken in a peanut sauce, ok but it came with roasted peanuts rather than almonds and the result was an overpowering peanut taste. A couple of little gem lettuce leaves stuck on top just felt lazy and added little to the dish. The next dish was smoked trout, unfortunately it was overcooked, with a texture of cotton wool. The number of different competing flavours and textures made the dish confused and the puffed rice didn’t add anything. The main course was rose veal, hurray, perfectly cooked meat, but disaster, the sauce was over reduced, so much so that it was bitter, salty and unpleasant. Anchovies, no ! please, great in ceasar salad but not with delicate veal, it doesn’t work, too powerful a flavour. It also had a slice of puff pastry on the base, why ? It simply became soggy from the sauce.The palate cleanser was ok but sorbet with slightly warm sliced pineapple was odd. Then came the dessert, at last an excellent tasty dish, soft light sponge, well temprered chocolate and crispy brandy snap, hats off to the pastry chef. Apart from the dessert, the execution of every dish had basic errors. Would I eat here again ? No, not until I read some better reviews or the pastry chef becomes head chef.
Giuseppe S
I’ve written a review a long time ago about the dining room of this well known Hotel in a oasis of green. And, not having visited it for quite a long time and having to meet an ex colleague of mine after about 10 years. I took the occasion to take her to the Dining Room also to see if it was of the same standard as I remember it. And I was not disappointed from the moment we arrived the welcome made by a smiling hostess Maria was second to none Frank the wine director and the food and beverage manager were also there and took the trouble to say hi. The restaurant looked very welcoming with its impeccable white linen. My guest and I choose the same dishes for lunch: as a starter a double bake Cheese Soufflé (rich and delicious) and as a main course we shared a Dover Sole meunière(fresh and meaty) for some reason there are only a few restaurant that offers a Dover Sole on the menu and this is one of them. The young lady that took our order and the junior sommelier, who spent some time explaining the menus and wines, need also to be mentioned together with the waiter who served us, everyone with efficiency and smile. We appreciated Alex, the restaurant manager, ensuring from time to time of our well-being. I’m not sure when I shall be able to visit but I can ensure despite the cost, which was definitely value for money, I will return! Thank each and everyone that looked after us
Elaine S
Sadly our dining experience did not live up the the hype. I took my family for afternoon tea (they are well versed in this field of cuisine). We should have realised things where not going to go well when on arrival with my mum in a wheelchair we were completely ignored by staff rushing about doing their very best not to make eye contact, not a great start!! Eventually we found our way to the dining room, which to be fair is lovely. Our first contact with serving staff was a quick 'good afternoon' and 'got any food allergies?' Really no conversation at all beyond that which was a shame, the staff didn't attempt to make us feel special in any way at all. The afternoon tea sandwich selection was very average and frankly boring; ham and mustard (cheap plastic ham) egg and cress and salmon and cream cheese it hardly screamed Michelin Star Restaurant (more like Michelin Tyre Cafe!!), but they did cut off the crusts!! The cakes where however lovely and probably the highlight of the meal and the reason I have given 3 stars. Scones where ok bit stodgy for my taste but rest of my party liked them. The choice of tea to drink was limited, I think English Breakfast tea was the only 'real tea' choice offered although that may just have been my experience. Service for the entire afternoon was slow and inattentive I had to chase up staff on several occasions because we need clean plates or more tea etc. Chewton Glen needs to seriously sort out the staffing, they need to be better, the food choices are dull and need revamping. There are so many nicer afternoon tea experiences out there for the same money.
The whole experience was pleasurable.Food exceptional, service superb, thank youCheryl.
HomeJames991
Oh dear indeed. Having been to this establishment many times, over the years it’s clear that the standards have slipped. A rude and unhelpful Maitre’D who would have given Basil Fawlty a run for his money. He purposely totally ignored my wife at the start of lunch. Non-existent waiting staff who we had to call over for everything Badly cooked and prepared food - salmon over-cooked and tough (probably unfresh) Dover Sole. The prices simply don’t match the poor quality. Go elsewhere.
Daniel B
We went to Chewton Glen for my fiancées birthday and to be honest not great at all. The service was none existant, everytime we needed something we had to call them over. The food was okay, we have had better at establishments with less ratings and for the price we paid not acceptable.
GreyNomad27
If you are looking for a special occasion dinner you might leave disappointed and out of pocket. There are so many excellent eateries in the area - in future I would choose one of them. This establishment seems keen to attract families which is fine but it doesn’t make for an intimate, special atmosphere when children are wandering around in catsuits and ordering baked beans on toast. First impressions were not good as the two dining areas resemble a couple of tacked on corridors. On the plus side we had a nice table and on the whole the service was good. The soufflé was sublime and a decent size. However my £7 plate of vegetables was almost uncooked and we are not talking al dente here we are talking raw. In addition we waited an age for our coffees, I think they went to Columbia to get it.
ThelmaBournemouth
Enjoyed a leisurely dinner, sitting next to window with garden view on lovely June evening. Service was excellent, and it was good not to feel rushed. Menu a little bit ecletic for our taste but we were able to change vegetables around with main course to suit better. Good choice for a special meal, but prices perhaps do not offer great value.
Very impressed with the menu choices in the dining room. Blown away with the quality and freshness of our crab, oysters and scallops We were a little worried that our very low carb diet would be difficult to adhere to - no desserts, breads or wines for us. However, we were treated respectfully and the service was excellent. We both chose rib eye steaks on the bone which we understand are sourced from Donald Russell they were exceptional - perfectly cooked, tender and delicious. Well done chefs and service team. 5 * for whoever put the menu together. - best choices we have seen and perfectly cooked and presented.
We had such a lovely time! Your attention to detail is just wonderful. Everything from the sea of Primroses outside, to the lovely fires and interior decor. Your employees are truly exceptional and we give a special shout out to the waiter who serviced our tea. Thank you for hosting such a lovely time for us. We will all be returning.
Food was lovely.
Simply magical - the service, the food, the decor……we will be back!
We went to The Dining Room on Saturday night as a celebration for my birthday and we were not disappointed. We ate from the festive menu and the meal was absolutely fabulous. Every course was beautifully presented and tasted delicious. The food really was incredible. We particularly loved how the Christmas pudding was presented at the table! We enjoyed the wine from the wine list and the sommelier was very friendly and helpful. The staff were also great - attentive but not over bearing. The restaurant was beautifully decorated for Christmas. The staff brought over a small desert plate for my birthday which was a lovely touch too. We absolutely loved our evening here and would happily return again - 5*.
Excellent meal at this high quality Restaurant in New Milton. Service, surroundings, food and location contributed to a very enjoyable Birthday lunch. The quality of the meal, as you would expect from an establishment like this, was faultless and much enjoyed. The staff were very friendly and attentive, without being over bearing which can happen in similar type of restaurants. After the meal, it was a sunny afternoon, so we explored the grounds at this lovely location. The gardens and ornaments are very impressive and you are in no doubt you are in First Class venue. Much recommended....
I went with my partner last night for dinner at 9 pm. I was told upon booking they only had a table t 9 pm as they were fully booked ! Actually, there were quite a lot of tables that weren’t being used, but my main issue was the service was incredibly slow. There was one really nice , middle-age gentleman in his suit as the waiter and that’s he was having to do all the tables by himself, more or less the service was very very slow, and apart from that when the main course came which was very nice we both had the pork. The meal was almost cold. It was not great to be honest hardly any choice on the deserts again we was given the dessert menu and it took 15 minutes for somebody to come and ask us if what we wanted for which we said thank you but we are going to leave it. We were not asked if we wanted any coffee all in all for me on my birthday. It wasn’t a great experience I would only give it 5 out of 10. I have been to the Chewton Glen a few times. I’ve never had this problem before but last night experience wasn’t good .£175. For 2 courses which were cold. I glass of red wine for me and lager for my friend which took forever to come to the table. !!!! Not good ! Very underwhelmed !
My wife and I were staying at the hotel, which we had been to before, still a relaxing, beautiful hotel, nice rooms, with excellent spa facilities. We thought we would try the tasting menu at £95, “reasonable” if it was a Michelin star but as we were to find, it certainly is not. The dining room is delightul, looking out over the fabulous gardens, service was friendly and efficient. So far so good, but then came the food, oh dear, the head chef must have had a day off. Some of the ideas were good but the execution was very poor. Both of our twice baked cheese souffles hadn’t risen, tasted ok but had the texture of an omlette, why let them off the pass ? The next dish was chicken in a peanut sauce, ok but it came with roasted peanuts rather than almonds and the result was an overpowering peanut taste. A couple of little gem lettuce leaves stuck on top just felt lazy and added little to the dish. The next dish was smoked trout, unfortunately it was overcooked, with a texture of cotton wool. The number of different competing flavours and textures made the dish confused and the puffed rice didn’t add anything. The main course was rose veal, hurray, perfectly cooked meat, but disaster, the sauce was over reduced, so much so that it was bitter, salty and unpleasant. Anchovies, no ! please, great in ceasar salad but not with delicate veal, it doesn’t work, too powerful a flavour. It also had a slice of puff pastry on the base, why ? It simply became soggy from the sauce.The palate cleanser was ok but sorbet with slightly warm sliced pineapple was odd. Then came the dessert, at last an excellent tasty dish, soft light sponge, well temprered chocolate and crispy brandy snap, hats off to the pastry chef. Apart from the dessert, the execution of every dish had basic errors. Would I eat here again ? No, not until I read some better reviews or the pastry chef becomes head chef.
I’ve written a review a long time ago about the dining room of this well known Hotel in a oasis of green. And, not having visited it for quite a long time and having to meet an ex colleague of mine after about 10 years. I took the occasion to take her to the Dining Room also to see if it was of the same standard as I remember it. And I was not disappointed from the moment we arrived the welcome made by a smiling hostess Maria was second to none Frank the wine director and the food and beverage manager were also there and took the trouble to say hi. The restaurant looked very welcoming with its impeccable white linen. My guest and I choose the same dishes for lunch: as a starter a double bake Cheese Soufflé (rich and delicious) and as a main course we shared a Dover Sole meunière(fresh and meaty) for some reason there are only a few restaurant that offers a Dover Sole on the menu and this is one of them. The young lady that took our order and the junior sommelier, who spent some time explaining the menus and wines, need also to be mentioned together with the waiter who served us, everyone with efficiency and smile. We appreciated Alex, the restaurant manager, ensuring from time to time of our well-being. I’m not sure when I shall be able to visit but I can ensure despite the cost, which was definitely value for money, I will return! Thank each and everyone that looked after us
Sadly our dining experience did not live up the the hype. I took my family for afternoon tea (they are well versed in this field of cuisine). We should have realised things where not going to go well when on arrival with my mum in a wheelchair we were completely ignored by staff rushing about doing their very best not to make eye contact, not a great start!! Eventually we found our way to the dining room, which to be fair is lovely. Our first contact with serving staff was a quick 'good afternoon' and 'got any food allergies?' Really no conversation at all beyond that which was a shame, the staff didn't attempt to make us feel special in any way at all. The afternoon tea sandwich selection was very average and frankly boring; ham and mustard (cheap plastic ham) egg and cress and salmon and cream cheese it hardly screamed Michelin Star Restaurant (more like Michelin Tyre Cafe!!), but they did cut off the crusts!! The cakes where however lovely and probably the highlight of the meal and the reason I have given 3 stars. Scones where ok bit stodgy for my taste but rest of my party liked them. The choice of tea to drink was limited, I think English Breakfast tea was the only 'real tea' choice offered although that may just have been my experience. Service for the entire afternoon was slow and inattentive I had to chase up staff on several occasions because we need clean plates or more tea etc. Chewton Glen needs to seriously sort out the staffing, they need to be better, the food choices are dull and need revamping. There are so many nicer afternoon tea experiences out there for the same money.
Restaurantji Recommends
The whole experience was pleasurable.Food exceptional, service superb, thank youCheryl.
Oh dear indeed. Having been to this establishment many times, over the years it’s clear that the standards have slipped. A rude and unhelpful Maitre’D who would have given Basil Fawlty a run for his money. He purposely totally ignored my wife at the start of lunch. Non-existent waiting staff who we had to call over for everything Badly cooked and prepared food - salmon over-cooked and tough (probably unfresh) Dover Sole. The prices simply don’t match the poor quality. Go elsewhere.
We went to Chewton Glen for my fiancées birthday and to be honest not great at all. The service was none existant, everytime we needed something we had to call them over. The food was okay, we have had better at establishments with less ratings and for the price we paid not acceptable.
If you are looking for a special occasion dinner you might leave disappointed and out of pocket. There are so many excellent eateries in the area - in future I would choose one of them. This establishment seems keen to attract families which is fine but it doesn’t make for an intimate, special atmosphere when children are wandering around in catsuits and ordering baked beans on toast. First impressions were not good as the two dining areas resemble a couple of tacked on corridors. On the plus side we had a nice table and on the whole the service was good. The soufflé was sublime and a decent size. However my £7 plate of vegetables was almost uncooked and we are not talking al dente here we are talking raw. In addition we waited an age for our coffees, I think they went to Columbia to get it.
Enjoyed a leisurely dinner, sitting next to window with garden view on lovely June evening. Service was excellent, and it was good not to feel rushed. Menu a little bit ecletic for our taste but we were able to change vegetables around with main course to suit better. Good choice for a special meal, but prices perhaps do not offer great value.