Restaurant review

THE OLD COTTAGE RESTAURANT, WEST STREET, RINGWOOD.

“Lunchtime Special - 3 course meal for 2 for £20” read the blackboard
outside. Too good to resist, so we entered the atmospheric 14th century restaurant with memories of an excellent meal there many years ago stirring our taste buds. Choices for each course were many and varied, and we took our time selecting as we relaxed with a couple of drinks.
A generous bowl of Mussels Mariniere was my starter, piping hot mussels simmering in a garlic and onion sauce. Excellent value. My wife chose liver pate, and was equally pleased with her choice. We didn’t have to wait long for the main courses - shank of lamb, for me and venison sausages for her. We shared a huge bowl of freshly cooked vegetables - broccoli, mangetout, cauliflower, new potatoes and carrots - to go with our meal. The lamb was perfect, and probably the biggest shank it has been my pleasure to devour. The sauce which surrounded it was possibly a bit too rich for my taste, but that was inconsequential as the lamb was perfectly cooked and full of flavour. The venison sausages were equally well received; the Old Cottage Restaurant apparently only
uses locally reared meats on their menu and fresh vegetables.
We would not normally have a sweet, but with this deal it was thrown in,
although we had to pay a small supplement as we chose the two most exotic sweets on the board. Hot cherries in a brandy sauce with ice cream was my choice, and raspberry pavlova, my partner’s. Again generous portions, superb flavours and full marks for presentation.
The total cost of our feast was actually £26.50 with drinks, extremely good value. We really couldn’t fault this restaurant - comfortable, homely, good food, service with a smile and very efficiently run. We were staggering out into the sunshine well within an hour. Definitely a restaurant to recommend with a huge choice of meals in the evening as well. Lots of variety for vegetarians and plenty of fresh fish, shellfish and game dishes. Booking is advisable through 01425 474283. Lunches are served 12pm to 3pm and dinners 6.30pm to 10pm.  (©Peter Ashton 2003)
 

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