Farmer Butcher Chef Restaurant and Bar — Restaurant in Chichester

Disappointing visit......

I'd visited from London for a business lunch in January, I was the first of 3 people to arrive. on entry to the car park I was greeted with various builders vehicles taking up valuable space in the car park which was full, after a wait I finally found a space. I entered hotel entrance and was directed to the restaurant, was shown which table we would have which looked very nice in center of a restored barn building, given I was circa 15 minutes early I asked to sit in a bar or lounge area whilst i waited for other guests. sat by bar area where various staff looked at me but didn't attempt to ask of i'd like anything. after some time other guests joined me and we went through to restaurant, I asked to be shown to our table which was now occupied by other diners, odd. we were placed in a corner by an external door with a noticeable breeze coming through it. we were given some menus by a young chap, some time later another chap asked of we'd like a drink for which we ordered, drinks arrived and were also offered bread. we then ordered food and began to talk then were approached several more times to ask if we would like any drinks...odd. the starters arrived, I| had ordered a warm mushroom tart with a poached egg. this arrived and looked good, but unfortunately once I broke the shortcrust pastry it unleashed what can only be explained as a a mushroom soup with the consistency of milk and was stone cold, we all watched as a 75% raw poached egg then slid out like a lost seal pup..... I attempted to eat this given no restaurant staff were evident.... this was thankfully cleared away at end of course and to our amazement no question as to why it was left. we moved on to main course all having fish, this arrived and albeit very pretty it was honestly tiny (smaller than other guests starters), taste was fantastic but being 3 grown men 2 mouthfuls later we again looked at each other and all went for our side plates of bread.... again we pushed on with deserts, a plum pudding was mentioned which was ordered, on arrival it was actually a rice pudding with half a plum on top. again we pushed on. we finished this and basically at end of meal were asked if we'd like any drinks (first time since initial order). given aforementioned we quickly ordered the bill and left to go and warm up in our respective vehicle. it transpired a few days later and on reflection we all had to stop at various service stations for something to eat and reflect on what was an extremely disappointing visit.it was a...

This restaurant is so close to getting it right but doesn’t quite make in some areas. Could not fault the venue. It was bright and modern with a nostalgic twist. I did however feel that for a high end restaurant the staff wearing mismatched jeans and tops was perhaps going too far down the casual path. Perhaps even just having matching tops with the estates logo on would just be enough. The staff were really friendly and welcoming. The clientele was very mixed which was good. Very limited choices. Only three starters and desserts. Mains were Roasts, Hake or a Vegetarian option. Two of us chose the crab starter with puffed rice. The puff rice outweighed the crab which amounted to less than a teaspoon full. It was wet and mushy. Not pleasant at all. The puffed rice element was better. The Tartare chosen by the third person was by far 100% superior. One chose the Roast Beef which looked like a huge steak but was actually sliced just stacked which didn’t present itself very elegantly Apparently it was divine and melted in the mouth. It was served very rare which might not appeal to some. The sides of roasted potatoes and cauliflower cheese were excellent. I had the Pork Loin, again three very large slices which consisted of at least 60% fat. One had to separate the beautiful flavoured pork from the copious amounts of fat. I know you need fat for flavour but when your plate is left partially covered in discarded fat it’s not pleasant. The Hake I understand was excellent. We each chose a different dessert. One being a chocolate and honeycomb bar topped with balls of raw apple. Disappointed that they weren’t melon or raspberry’s served with an apple sorbet which was very nice. My rhubarb panacotta was very tasty and looked amazing but the filling had curdled and was like eating undercooked scrambled egg. Not pleasant. The third dessert was a Tiramisu, a deconstructed tiramisu. Tasted very nice, visually not so good. The lunch was enjoyable and the little touches made referring to it being my Birthday were lovely and much appreciated. I have tried to be both fair and honest and whilst this establishment has lots to offer with other similar eateries around I will not be recommending...

Sunday Lunch .

Arrived nice and early to the restaurant lovely setting at Goodwood in West Sussex as one would expect . Was recommended this place by a high flyer chef in London to have a Sunday lunch . It’s been a long wait , as originally I had a reservation booked with the late Chef Albert Roux . Unfortunately due to covid the reservation was delayed . A family affair we chose the Roast Rump of beef served with Yorkshire pudding and roast potatoes and accompanied by some cabbage and carrots . Tables were spaced out , friendly atmosphere and genuinely polite manager showed us to a lovely table . We requested 3 of beef to be over done , one to be cooked as per chefs recommendation , unfortunately they came a bit of miss match of plates and had to play pass the plate .. around the table . The beef was cooked rare to Medium , for me was good . Slightly colder then warm . The other beef was still rare , which again is unfortunate . I was surprised the girls ate it 😅 The meat was slightly fatty and held a fair amount of gristle . Ordered extra Gravy .. slightly under seasoned . However all in all a good Sunday lunch , dessert was baked Alaska which was throughly enjoyed by all . Extra sides of braised cabbage was tasty . Drinks were good however when paying 22.00 pounds for 175ml of glass of wine one would expect that the waiter would pour the wine at the table so we could see the bottle it’s the experience . Not just to arrive at the table on a tray as bringing a pot of Earl Grey tea for example even that comes with label and a tag .

Nice room , nice setting , a nice Sunday lunch . Good Gastro pub food...