THE RESTAURANT AT WICKHAM VINEYARD, BOTLEY ROAD, SHEDFIELD.

Commended by the Good Food Guide last year and UK & Ireland Restaurant of the Year in Les Routiers Guide 2003, this is the place to go for a special meal.
Whether for a two or three course lunch, an evening meal or their unique Menu Gormand.
A business colleague recently joined me for a two-course lunch at the
restaurant, where I had enjoyed an exceptional meal several years before. This time it was even better - a good table overlooking the vineyards, attentive service by friendly waiters and charming and helpful advice from Erica who runs the restaurant so well. The lunch menu, which changes several times a week, was nicely varied. The first course offered a choice between Jerusalem artichoke soup, terrine of gammon with quince chutney and smoled salmon with crepe partmentier. My fellow diner was tempted by the terrine of gammon, while I plumped for the smoked salmon. Both excellent, served stylishly and just the right portion to be swiftly despatched with some complimentary home-baked bread.
The choice for the main course was between glazed pork hock with croquet potato, braised rabbit with a cassoulet of beans and fillet of black bream with risotto of pumpkin and parmesan. Rabbit for me and fish for my guest, and a lull in our conversation as we concentrated on two superb meals. Bursting with flavour and superbly cooked, they were both superb.
If we had opted for a sweet there was plenty of temptation there too - pear and grangipane tart with cinnamon ice creahm creme caramel with run and raison mascarpone, or a selection of French and British cheeses. Coffee and drinks come extra, so expect to pay around Ł40 for two altogether. Not a restaurant I could afford to go to every week or even every year, but it would be top of my list, and their wines produced at the vineyard are first-class, too. The evening menu offers a much wider choice of dishes at Ł31 for 3 courses and Ł25 for 2, while the gourmet menu comes in at Ł41 per person.
Erica and her staff can be contacted on 01329 832985 to book a table -
February 14 comes to mind for some reason as a perfect time to enjoy a gourmet experience.  (©Peter Ashton 2004)
 

If you would like your restaurant reviewed click here

Looking for a different review? Click here for our archive

Martha Reeves and Jimmy Ruffin
The Anvil Basingstoke
Sat February 21

The Searchers
Mr Kyps, Poole
Sat February 28

Dolly Varden
The Brook Southampton
Sun February 22

Jethro Tull / Ian Anderson
Pavilion Theatre Bournemouth
Sat February 28

Paul Kelly
Talking Heads, Southampton
Thurs February 19

Sophie Yates
Turner Sims Southampton
Tues February 8th

Freed
See News for
full tour details