Sorrel Restaurant — Restaurant in Mole Valley

Our first visit to Sorrel, the venue is a lovely 17th century building where the original character has been retained in a tasteful manner, setting a great ambiance to enjoy your meal. We were welcomed by Antonio, the front of house who came across as a very pleasant, professional and helpful chap who demonstrated his knowledge of the courses throughout the meal. Like the other staff he was attentive without being overbearing and was easy to engage in general conversation.

The food was absolutely divine, I understand that the owner Steve has now taken a back seat and handed over to new Executive Chef Alex Payne and after enjoying this meal I feel sure that Steve can feel confident that Sorrel is in safe hands. The courses were presented by a combination of the chefs and waiting staff who clearly take pride in imparting their knowledge of each dish upon the customers.

Each course was thoroughly enjoyed by both of us, presentation of all the dishes was a work of art well deserving of pictures in an art gallery. A particular highlight was the scallop course where the sauce perfectly complimented the scallop together with the tiny mushrooms and various form of caviar creating an explosion of flavour and different textures in your mouth, simply heaven in the mouth!

The first course was a lobster tart, again absolutely delicious followed by “Jammy Dodgers” but made from something very different and tasting nothing like you’d expect so playing games with your mind. The bread course was another highlight, with wonderful flavours and so soft bread melting in your mouth. The turbot was cooked perfectly with a very smooth rich sauce and cauliflower mouse to accompany it. The desserts were a great way to finish the meal, the “Knights of Windsor” strawberry dessert was accompanied by very light lemon sorbet which freshened the palate. The following chocolate dessert was presented picture perfect and incredibly smooth in the mouth. The last course ended with “Deja View” a fitting end to a wonderful meal.

Overall, a thoroughly enjoyable experience that we look forward to revisiting again, highly...

We had a most memorable 3-course lunch at Sorrel. The ambience was relaxed and intimate, service was very good and attentive, but most importantly the food was perfectly executed and tasted delicious. Every dish was well balanced, sophisticated and beautifully presented. We didn't expect this from a restaurant outside London; the food was on par with the best Michelin-starred restaurants we tried in London, including 2-Michelin-star restaurants The Ledbury and The Greenhouse. Mr Drake is a highly talented chef and I wouldn't be surprised if the restaurant soon gains another star. Highlight dishes were the Herdwick Lamb main (with Jerusalem Artichoke, Smoked Paprika, Sherry, Miso Aubergine) and the Venison main (with Bitter Orange, Earl Grey, Kalamata Olive, Broccoli), and the Apple dessert (with Black Pepper Caramel, Thyme Cream, Malt). It's not cheap but definitely worth a visit for a very special occasion. We cannot wait to return.

Second visit: Sublime food, as always, but service a bit slow on this occasion. Sometimes I wish there was a bit more of the delicious accompanying "sauces" on the plate, or a bit more sorbet in the desserts, but this restaurant remains at the top.

Third visit: Service was slow again, and not at the same level as the food served, unfortunately. Also, for a lunch at £45 per person, it is a bit disappointing that only one brioche was given with a 3-course meal. When asking for some bread, I was told that they prepared exactly one bread per person, and that bread was complimentary. Apart from that, the dishes were excellent but really small. In the strawberry dessert, one tiny scoop of divine strawberry sorbet is really too little, and a few more fresh strawberries pieces would be most welcome. Because of all this, I have removed one star.

Fourth visit: Everything was excellent this time, and service is faster and staff is more friendly. We thoroughly enjoyed our lunch, and so it made sense to upgrade my...

I have had to think long and hard before posting this review, but if I don't I do feel others won't be able to benefit. To start with, the staff were brilliant, exactly as you would expect and a credit to any establishment of this nature. I visited with my parents and brother for a very special birthday for my mother, we went for the greater cost fixed menu and my parents went for the wine samples also. The food arrived and it was very good, not excellent, nothing I really want to revisit but an experience and acceptable, I do struggle with pork belly and the like as they are not exactly good selections of meat at the best of times and at this level I would prefer to see what the chief can do with high quality ingredients. The lamb course wasn't exactly warm and too be honest a little under cooked. My parents enjoyed the meal, and my brother settled the bill, but with the service charge and the wine selection for 2 this managed to almost double the entire amount for the fixed cost per person price, I'll be honest, I've bought cheaper cars. The restaurant is very well presented and is lovely, the staff are fantastic and the tables etc are well layed out, the facilities are a little small and the divider between the rrdturant and staff area could do with a revisit, not sure a hanging piece of material fits with the rest. The food is good, not not exceptional and I left wanting something else to eat as all the portions are on the small side, but the cost does leave a bitter taste, and it's not that we couldn't afford it. It's just I don't think it warrants it, some knowledge of the additional cost at the time of ordering may have softened the...