Category: reviews

Happy Birthday Fuego

Fuego by Fenwick is celebrating it’s first year of opening. We were lucky to be invited to the opening and try their wonderful menu read our review HERE. So we were delighted to be invited back to try their new Autumn menu.

Fuego by Fenwick brings the best of the Mediterranean to their Fenwick Kingston store in The Bentall Centre. The design-led, new restaurant offers a selection of all-day tapas, generous sharing charcuterie and cheese boards, traditional tortillas and stone-baked and Napoli-style sourdough pizza.

The restaurant is a modern oasis, featuring an open-plan layout, complete with a champagne and cocktail bar, the ideal spot to savour a pre or post-shopping beverage from their carefully curated list ,serving classic aperitifs and a selection of freshly-made, non-alcoholic cocktails. An extensive new wine list is available with all bottles listed available to buy in the store’s Wine Room.

Happy Birthday FuegoAs I said before we have been here before and the welcome was still as warm and inviting as you arrive. This time to try their new Autumn menu. We started of with an Apple Pie Spritzer made with Vodka, Apple Juice, Ginger Beer, Cinnamon, Demerara Sugar. We were blown away by the taste. It was a liquired Apple Pie. Great way to start the meal. Alongside this we had some rosemary focaccia with a olive oil and balsamic vinegar dip.

Next we moved on to a selection of tapas alongside the sharing board of  Fuego Selection which included charcuterie, cheese, tortilla, courgette, apple & Ibores salad, polenta fritti with morunos mayonnaise, marinated gordals, charred broccoli, tahini, hazelnut dukkah. The tapas we got were Crispy seabass, kataifi pastry & mojo verde mayonnaise, Beetroot hummus with pine nuts, sesame & mint. Now I don’t like beetroot but this was wonderful. We also had falafel, pickled cucumber & mojo picòn and roasted peppers. The roasted peppers I wouldn’t have again. I like peppers but they didn’t work with what we had.

By now we were full and looking forward to dessert. Unbeknown to us this was just starters. next came the main meal. Something I wouldn’t have picked but I am glad I tried it. We were given the vegetarian pizza of Zucca & rose harissa. This was made with harissa-roasted squash, halloumi, kale, potato, onion, butternut squash sauce. Now if you told me potato on a pizza I would thing you was mad, as bad as pineapple. Oh I was so wrong. I am a meat feast or pepperoni  type guy and the thought of a pizza with kale, roasted squash and potato on it I wasn’t looking forward to this, BUT the taste was amazing and the combination worked. I would highly recommend this pizza.

Just to help my lack of meat we also had a bowl of Gambas a la plancha (king prawns) in garlic & chilli. The Fuego has a great wine list and we were unsure what to have so we liked the option of the Wine Flights. You can choose Red or White and select from several wines three 50ml glasses. We found this a great idea and it was nice to be able to try/sample new wines. Great before or after shopping.

By now we were full but our mission was to try the Autumn and now it was dessert. As with all the items we had before these were chosen by our amazing waitress who had a great knowledge of all the items on the menu.  For dessert we had Burnt Basque cheesecake with seasonal fruit, Rice pudding brûlée served chilled with orange & pistachio, my favorite from our last visit, and churros paired with a chocolate sauce for dipping.

I have to be honest we struggled to finish it and there wasn’t room for anything else including a coffee.

Happy Birthday Fuego

The minute you walk into the restaurant you are whisked away from the hassle and bustle of the shopping centre to an elegant restaurant where you can sit, relax and enjoy wonderful food and wine or a wonderful cocktail

It’s a place we would visit during a long day shopping or for a special treat and we would highly recommend it next time you are in Kingston.

Happy Birthday Fuego we look forward to many more.

To view their full menu CLICK HERE

 

Please Note we were guests of Fenwick and the meal was complimentary. This in no way affects our review. If it was poor we would say

 

Pennyhill Sunday Roast Feast

Now, if there is one meal of the week that I always look forward to it has to be the Sunday roast. Whenever I have been abroad I look forward to getting home for my roast be it beef, lamb, chicken or pork you can’t beat it, in my view. So I was delighted, beyond words, to be invited to the amazing Pennyhill Park Hotel and Spa to sample their Sunday lunch. 

Pennyhill Park is nestled in 120 acres of parkland in Bagshot. It is one of Surrey’s most luxurious spa and hotel retreats, offering guests the ultimate reset button. The hotel has two restaurants Latymer, which is a Michelin star and 5 AA rosettes fine dining restaurant. We would be eating at Hillfield a more relaxed dining experience with a British menu using local products.

Hillfield offers a Sunday Feast offering Soups, breads and butter, Buffet of starters, choice of Roasts with family-style sides and a Buffet of desserts. National Chef of the Year 2024 finalist, and Head Chef, Adam Fisher has curated satisfying dishes that can be enjoyed by families and cater to all tastes. Fisher’s dedication to using the best local ingredients ensures a memorable dining experience. With his expertise and recognition as a top chef, guests can expect a culinary journey that combines creativity and tradition. 

So let’s start with the soup. We had a lovely cream of cauliflower soup. Not a lover of cauliflower was sure I would like this but the taste and creaminess was a massive surprised and I just wished there was more. I see why there isn’t more when we came upon the starter buffet.

I don’t think you can beat a starter buffet allowing you to pick from a variety of starters is a great way to try new things or indulge in what you like.  The range at Pennyhill is amazing and my photos doesn’t do it justice. There was everything you could think of. There was salads, salmon, trout, crab, oysters, a selection of cold meats and pate. The range just went on and on. But don’t fall into the trap I did and fill your plate you need room for the main event.

Penny Hill Sunday Feats

The main course is not a buffet and your order is taken before you are served your soup. You have a choice from Beef, Pork, Half a Chicken or a combination of beef, pork and chicken. there is also plant-based Wellington or Roasted Halibut if you don’t want a roast. They are all served with duck fat roast potatoes, carrot & swede mash, Hispi cabbage, cauliflower cheese and of course Yorkshire pudding and gravy. Special mention for the gravy the taste was something else and went well with all the meats.

I went for the traditional roast sirloin of beef with slow roast short rib. My wife went for the Pork while my son went for the combination. What we loved about the main meal is you informed the waiter/waitress when you are ready for it. They don’t just bring it out when you are just finishing your starters like most places. Which after the starters we had was great to have a small pause in eating.

Pennyhill Sunday Feast

When they did arrive the portions were not small. At first I thought this may be due to the fact we were writing a review. But, looking around the room everyone was getting the same. The meats were cooked perfectly and there were plenty of vegetables to go round. I have mentioned the gravy before what we liked is they ask you if you want more, which we did.

The thought of dessert after what we just ate was going further from our minds we were full.Dessert was once again a buffet and looking at the vast selection I was still regretting the size of my starter. At the dessert section there is a make your own mille-feuille station were a member of staff will create a delicious dessert using filo pastry and a selection of creams, fruits, chocolates and custard. I wanted something light so I went for this. I picked strawberries and cream and it was wonderful.

Pennyhill Sunday Feast

Beside the desserts is a coffee and tea station where you can help yourself. We didn’t use this. As for drinks our waiter picked a bottle of red wine for us which was smooth and lovely. Pennyhill has a vast wine list with prices ranging from £38 a bootle up to bottles in their hundreds.

Cost,the Sunday Feast is £65 per person which includes 4 course meal above. A discretionary service charge of 13.5% will be added to your bill, which is shared in full with the team that created your experience. As I said at the begining I love a sunday roast so would I return and the answer is YES. Not every  month but will be going back. The setting is ideal for a special occasion as it was there were a few birthday parties taking place.

In conclusion if you want fantastic cooked roast with a great choice of starters and desserts in the grandeur of lovely surroundings making you feel a little bit special this is the place for you.

For the current menu CLICK LINK 

We would like to say a very big thank you to all the staff at Pennyhill Park Hotel and Spa

We would like to point out that the review above is our personal view, and we were invited by the restaurant to do the review, and we were not paid to do this review. 

The Victoria Fine Dining in Oxshott Review

It’s highly likely that you have driven past The Victoria in Oxshott on multiple occasions, perhaps to avoid roadworks or take a shortcut between A3 and M25. You might have thought of it as just another ordinary county pub. However, I would encourage you to stop next time because it is much more than just a pub.

Matt Larcombe, the former head chef of The Crown at Bray, and Simon King from Igniting Hospitality had the idea of opening a pub that not only offered gastronomic delights but also served as a hub for the community. They discovered The Victoria and in 2021, their idea became a reality. Within just two years, The Victoria has been awarded the prestigious 3 Rosette Award for Culinary Excellence and has also been listed in Britain’s 100 Best Local Restaurants for 2023 in The Good Food Guide. We were thrilled to have been invited to try out the restaurant and to chat with the co-owner, Simon King.

Upon arrival, you are warmly greeted with a friendly welcome. The restaurant has a pleasant and comforting ambiance, resembling a cozy country pub, with an inviting open fire, perfect for chilly winter nights.

The menu changes seasonally relying on fresh local produce, so I won’t go into much detail about what I had. Our waitress was amazing and well-informed about the menu. We followed her recommendations and she even selected a wine that paired perfectly with our meal. For the current Menus CLICK HERE

Simon King Co-owner of The Victoria OxshottAt this point before our starters arrived I got to chat with co-owner Simon King and asked him Why Oxshott? he replied ” We’ve actually had our eye on the pub for quite some time, we think it’s a great pub that means so much to so many, we love the idea of bringing an elevated experience to Surrey and feel very blessed to be in Oxshott.”

I then asked about working with local businesses. He replied ” we use local businesses  for both food and beverage, we work with Surrey Hill Butchers, who are next door with our burgers, Silent Pool for our local gin and Surrey Hills Brewery for our ales.” 

January is a tough time for pubs and restaurants but over the last year with the increase in food cost and cost of living I asked how this was affecting the restaurant? Simon informed me “It is having an impact, the frequency of people eating is on the decline, but when they do they want to make the most of it. We truly appreciate them choosing to visit The Victoria and will continue to offer value for money and look at ways to further enhance the guest experience.” 

There have been a lot of reviews regarding The Victoria but I asked Simon what it was like when I’m a celebrity and food critic Grace Dent visited, is she a fan? “It’s always flattering to attract an elite journalist from London to the Surrey countryside. She was very passionate about the industry and we are delighted that she loved her time with us.”

Finally I asked what the plans are for 2024? Simon was excited to announce “We’re looking forward to making the most of our new garden bar in 2024 and plan on adding guest bedrooms to the pub which will give us an extra dimension.” looking back at images from 2023 the garden looks amazing and we will be back in the Summer

So what about our dinner? It was amazing, I’m not just saying that it really was. I started with Pickled Mackerel with grilled cucumber, and I hate cucumber. The taste wasn’t what I was expecting and I was blown away. Next I went for the Slow cooked Pork with hispi cabbage, apple sauce, black pudding with pommes anna with saffron aioli.  Again cooked to perfection.

For dessert I love a cheese board  and all I can say is if you order one of these there is enough for 2 people. Has to be the best cheese board I have ever had. with a great selection of cheeses, grapes, apple cider chutney and crackers.

On the advice of our waiter we had a bottle of Four Vines  Old Vine Zinfandel. A wine I have never tried before but surprisingly a red wine with a fish starter and pork main worked really well.  To round the evening off we had a coffee with truffles and marshmallows.

Cost? well we don’t know we were guest of The Victoria and the evening was complimentary. A quick calculation at the table and we worked it out  without the wine to be about £50-£55 per head for a fine dining 3 course meal.

Slow cooked Pork with hispi cabbage, apple sauce, black pudding with pommes anna with saffron aioli.

Conclusion: Would we go back? that’s a definite YES. Is it a place you would go every week? I would love to but likely only once a month or on a special occasion. The food is worth what you are paying if this was in London you would be paying a lot more. The food is amazing, the people are lovely and the whole vibe of the place is wonderful. In the bar side of the pub they also have live music nights.

We like to end with a big THANK YOU to Simon, Matt and the team at The Victoria, Oxshott, for a wonderful experience and we will be back soon.

For More details and to see their fabulous menus CLICK HERE