Oakley Hall
Above: Oakley Hall
Above: Oakley Hall dining
Expectations were high for my evening at Oakley Hall near Basingstoke. Their website promised fine dining with a mouth watering menu using fresh local produce.
Our evening began with a friendly welcome from the friendly staff who showed us to the comfortable sofas in the lounge where we took in the warm surroundings.
While we sampled a drink from the bar and studied the tempting menu we were offered a tasty aperitif of Thai chicken broth to warm us from the chilly February evening outside.
We were then escorted to our table. While the simply decorated dining room could not live up to the warm environment of the lounge our table was elegantly dressed with a pristine tablecloth and small table decoration. The candle light plus light music in the background made for an intimate atmosphere.
Something to savour
The menu offered a good variety. Amongst the starters, Home Cured Salmon Gravadlax, Crunchy Fennel and Coriander Salad (£6.95) or for those looking for something a little different Seared Saddle of Rabbit, Truffle and Thyme Risotto (£6.50). One of my fellow diners opted for the latter and was not disappointed: tender and succulent mouthfuls, perfect! I opted for the Pressed Knuckle of Ham on a bed of Spiced Pineapple Chutney, crowned with a delicious cider mouse, which was refreshing and flavoursome.
Choices for main course ranged from Poached Trout Fillet, Lemongrass dressing, Baby Prawn and Chive Brandad (£17.95), to the choice of my more adventurous companion, Smoked Garlic Roasted Poussin, Broad Bean Puree, Lemon and Thyme Scented Oil (£19.95). I selected the vegetarian option of Maple Cured Butternut Squash and Goats Cheese Tart, Steamed Pak Choi and Chilli. The goats cheese melted into the perfect blend with the butternut squash on a tart of puff pastry.
Delectable desserts
The ideal portion sizes meant I still had some appetite to sample the intriguing dessert menu. The perfect menu for those who like me experience difficulty settling on just one of the sweeter offerings, each choice offers a medley of three complementary desserts. The ‘Coffee and Doughnuts’, for example, comprised Kahlua crème brulee, brioche fritter and milk ice cream (£6.95). I went for the ‘Oakley Hall Assiete’ (£8.50), which rewarded me with dark chocolate fondant, pan seared rice pudding cake and Grand Marnier ice cream. Sweet and crisp on top and soft and succulent underneath, the rice pudding cake did not disappoint and offered the perfect complement to the chocolate treat, comprising a light sponge fondant with a succulent chocolate sauce inside -delicious.
Our meal was washed down with a French red and refreshing dessert wine and we were content to complete our evening back in the comfort of the lounge with coffee served with chocolate truffles.
While this recently opened restaurant was rather quiet, the atmosphere had developed well during the evening and an enjoyable time was had by all.
Highlights being the exquisite food and friendly, professional yet appropriately discreet staff I would say this was a venue for an occasion where a blend of intimacy and formality is required. Oakley Hall’s Winchester Room restaurant is perhaps the perfect venue for that first meeting with the prospective in laws or that special anniversary.
The verdict
Service: 5 stars
Atmosphere: 3 stars
Decoration: 2 stars
Food: 4 stars
Value for money: 4 stars
Book your table
Oakley Hall, Rectory Road, Oakley, Basingstoke.
Tel: 01256 783350
www.oakleyhall-park.com