The Cormorant Pub & Restaurant — Restaurant in Fareham

The following review is based on my first visit. There has been a change of ownership since writing this review, and my second visit was not as good. My third visit was on par with my second visit.

Review based on first visit:

Only visited the once (lucky daytime visit?), but having struggled to find menus with decent vegetable selection, and then finding this gem... 'Delighted' is an understatement! Almost discounted it for dinner when first walked by (dismissed it as a pub).

Clean tables/chairs/cutlery/cups/glasses/etc. Relaxing and clean environment Calm and peaceful ambience. Amazing food. Worth the price! Well-trained/polite/attentive/professional/friendly staff. Access for wheelchairs. Parking available. Outdoor seating 'or' smoking area (we sat indoors to eat).

Number 3 bus (£12 ticket) out of Portsmouth, alighted as close to Porchester castle (£11) as possible (near White Hart Lane no less). Parking to the right just before the building. Visited The Cormorant after walkabout. Left relaxed and smiling.

The prices were mid-upper crossover range. Average price paid around Portsmouth/Porchester during trip (per plate) was £10-£12 I'd put The Cormorant in the £15-£25 range (but actually worth it). I am hoping my picture says all that needs saying about the food, but in case you missed it, the food was amazing.

Including the £12 to get there on bus, I would definitely visit again! Am considering the train journey+bus cost to eat there again too! A negative... hmm... My lasange was a bit burned underneath in the corner, but enjoyed the food that much, it didn't even matter.

Huge thanks for the recommend (and local info) !! I too would...

The new owners have introduced a warm and relaxed, friendly atmosphere to the Cormorant, but, in the last six months there have been two very hefty price increases leading to the most expensive pint of Doom Bar that I have drunk in Hampshire, costing an eye watering £ 4.10 a pint. Not at all impressed by the pricing policy, or rather, lack of it.

We popped into the Cormorant on what should have been one of the busiest pre Christmas Saturday nights and were absolutely stunned to find the pub almost empty with just three tables occupied at 9.30 on a Saturday night. There was no fire, no atmosphere, no warm welcome and the staff were distant unfriendly and bored. The drinks are very expensive given that little or no money has been invested in the bar and restaurant areas over the past couple of years. It should be a nice place to go, but it isn't and we hailed a cab at 10.40 as the few staff left standing were keenly eyeing the exit. This pub has great potential but nothing is being done to realize it and the drink prices are considerably higher than all area competitors. It wouldn't cost a lit to brighten up this dull , drab bar , but there doesn't appear to be the will or interest in brightening the place up. More is the...

We enquired about holding a small funeral wake at this venue and, from the very first phonecall, were impressed with them. They were really professional, detailing the package they could offer and open to any changes we requested. On the day, two family members arrived several hours prior to the event to set up some additional slide show equipment that we were planning on using and they both commented how friendly and accommodating the staff were and that they were even offered refreshments whilst setting things up. When we all arrived en mass from the funeral, staff quickly showed us to the allocated area and arranged drinks. They allowed us to have a bar tab to provide drinks to our guests and, throughout the day, replaced the tea and coffees continuously to ensure their was always a hot drink immediately available to our guests. The buffet spread was generous, beautifully fresh and to a very high quality. Our entire experience was of a very professional team, well used to looking after people and with great kindness. We stayed many hours and cannot thank the team enough for their...