Minerva Bar — Restaurant in Chichester

Booked an afternoon tea here for myself & 3 others for 28/12/23. Booked & paid for online via CFT site before today's event. I got sent a text reminder including a link to my e-tickets for today. The Minerva Bar is on the first floor via stairs or lift. QR codes needed on arrival. We got seated & advised any drinks outside of the included tea were extra (which I assumed anyway). English breakfast tea in teapots arrived along with a selection of 4 different finger sandwiches, sausage rolls with caramelised onion, a variety of both sweet & savoury scones & 3 types of petit fours to finish. The waiting staff popped over periodically to ask if we needed anything (we topped up both teapots & milk at no extra cost). I've only ever attended the Chichester festival theatre & it's cafe previously (opposite), nothing I've seen has been in the Minerva theatre, so this was my first time here. I understand that sometimes you can have a pre theatre meal here (I'm assuming there's more info on the CFT site regarding this). On this occasion the bar was open specifically for the afternoon tea of which there was us plus 3-4 other tables, so I can't comment if usually it's more busy/noisy. If it wasn't dark you could probably see the theatre opposite & the green open space. There's a large pay to park car park a short walk away. You pay up to 8pm. Cards taken. Not appropriate to take photos on this occasion as took the "older generation" out with us to eat. Lovely...

Whoever is now behind this restaurant has completely turned it around.

The staff are genuinely friendly, the atmosphere is great and the food is superb.

The dishes feel like they are freshly made which even some highly regarded restaurants I've eaten at don't always manage.

I would suggest having the full three courses because the portion sizes are not huge. The dishes are creatively done without being so esoteric as to be offputting.

The main courses are slightly better than the desserts, but that is only because the main courses are surprisingly excellent.

Overall a great experience, and it's pretty good value too. And I'd recommend eating there even if you're not going to the...

Just have to thank the Staff here for going above and beyond in their kindness and hospitality . They were just closing for the performance and I was feeling woozy having just left the hospital across the park. I didn’t feel safe to drive home and asked if they minded me sitting in their air conditioned bar with a cup of tea for a bit as I’d had an unexpected anaesthetic and wasn’t feeling quite the ticket. Not only did they make me feel welcome but they also turned the ovens back on and cooked me a delicious pizza which I ate with a lovely view without being rushed out or feeling like a burden. Outstanding kindness. Faith in...