Ten Tables Restaurant — Restaurant in Guildford

Driven past this hotel a few times and saw the sign outside for Ten Tables so decided to treat my husband. Great bar area with pretty array of filament bulbs and the restaurant is really lovely with just 10 tables as you would expect. Nice music playing and a lovely garden although it was dark and cold the evening that we went. We should have gone a few weeks ago but our booking was cancelled due to "unforeseen circumstances" which it turns out was that the chef left (which is a real shame as his reviews were fabulous) but we were assured the new chef was just as good if not better.

I had the beef short rib croquette to start (delicious ) and my husband had the scallops - well .... The plate came out with only 2 scallops (think they could have put 3 on for the price of £13 !). Nicely presented in their shells on a bed of greenery which we assumed to be a crispy curly kale or similar (the lighting is quite subdued in the restaurant). My husband tasted the greenery and declared it a little soggy so I tried it too. It had a very bitter, nasty taste and it made both of our tongues go numb. When the waitress came to clear the plates we asked her what it was to which she replied "You didn't eat it did you ? It's Fake Reindeer Moss". Apparently not poisonous thankfully and on checking with the chef it's also thankfully non toxic. 24 hours later and my tongue still feels peculiar. IF YOU CAN'T EAT IT DON'T PUT IT ON THE PLATE !! . The venison main course was delicious and we will go back on a summers evening so we can enjoy...

Edit Feb 2025: We ended up going 3 times, and when booking the 4th time, i just saw they now ask for your credit card - which on principle, i wont do. Such a shame - docked one star and unfortunately now wont be back until they lift the credit card requirement.

Original review from late 2024:What a great place! Lovely lounge for a pre drink, and then….finally… a well spaced out dining room where you cant hear your neighbours because theyre far away! Love the space between the tables and the views out to the koi pond - i bet its gorgeous in summer when it gets darker later. Bit of a limited drinks menu (no cocktails and limited fizz), but it was more than compensated by how delicious the food was. A particular stand out was the mosaic cod with the 24 hr potatoe and the cherry and creme fraiche sponge. Theyre also a bit different - for eg we ordered a side of hispi cabbage, which came with some lemon curd. At first i flinched at the thought of it, but it was genius! Their staff are super super friendly once you crack the ice a bit. Service is intentionally spaced out so you dont rush blind through the food - though we thought it was a touch TOO slow and could have done with maybe 5-10mins less waiting between courses. But cant fault them for that! If you ask them to speed up the dessert, they do.

Reasonable prices given the very high quality.

We’re going back soon - glad...

I have come for the first time to Ten Tables Restaurant for my wedding anniversary with my wife. I informed the staff earlier of the occasion and if they could do something special for it. They greeted us congratulating with us, they prepared a card for us and the waitress was very kind all the time, checking how we were at the right moments. We were welcomed by a complimentary glass of prosecco and once we ordered starter and main the staff added a few degustation portions on top of our order. The menu is not large but every dish is clearly curated and well thought and everything tasted deliciously. Atmosphere was quiet and it was helped that we were the only table that night but it was a great evening my wife loved it too. At the end the bill included only the starter and the main and the drinks we ordered and none of the additional portions we were offered, which made the value over price very cheap considering this was a fine dining experience. They truly made their best to make it special and we won't forget it. Certainly...