Ahh the English countryside. There's nothing like the glorious rolling hills of green when the sun shines. Just for a day or two, a few weekends ago, we had some intermittent sunshine. This not only brought out the sudden urge to get out of the city but also to explore a bit of the rural gastronomy that I've been dreaming about. Last month, my delicious magazine came with a small guide to good food outside of Londinium and the closest place on the south west list was in Stuckton near Fordingbridge - at the edge of the New Forest. It was a 2 hour drive from South London but worth the round trip for a superb 3 hour Sunday lunch!
This place, The Three Lions [Restaurant with rooms] reinforced my faith in good local English produce and good British grub in a hearty location. It was in a very pretty area and the inside of the restaurant was very cosy and homely and inviting. I'm not sure I was convinced about having to be seated in the corridor to choose from the menu board and then only being seated at our pre booked table when the food was ready to be served but hey that's their system and I guess it works for them. It was rather sweet that this family run place had all their teenage kids taking orders and checking tables were being looked after.
I had the last asparagus and wild mushroom starter that was left and jolly good it was too! Yum. Seasonal. Succulent. Sublime. And you could just tell it was picked locally rather than flown in from Mexico as it tasted incredibly intense & fresh... well I hope it was anyway - I didn't ask! The bread that came with the table was certainly home made [I did ask] and so I would hope everything else was home grown too!
The main of Dover Sole and garlic was divine as was the finger licking jus that it came in - I could have mopped my plate clean with the home made oat bread. I was particularly impressed that someone in the kitchen had taken care to give each vegetable side dish that came with the main some careful love and attention, making them stars in their own rights rather than some overcooked or underwhelming afterthought. My dessert was a trio of home made sorbets [mango, lemon and raspberry] - which was bursting with fruit and a perfect light end to a slow Sunday lunch.
My husband had the bacon and anchovy starter followed by the lamb which he said was tender and full of flavour. I liked the fact his main had some fresh garlic flowers on the plate! He then opted for the Three Lions St Clements tart with a lemon posset which he declared his new favourite dessert! I may have to search for the recipe on line or write to them!
Very good food, excellent service and a pleasant atmosphere - what more could you ask for?
And apparently they have rooms - I do hope I get a chance to stay there one day!
Check out...
http://www.thethreelionsrestaurant.co.uk/ for yourself...
1 comment:
Lovely diet. Very healthy.
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