The Ivy Winchester Brasserie — Restaurant in Winchester

New Years Eve 2023 The Ivy Winchester is my favourite Ivy and I am a regular patron there. So when I saw they were having a special celebration for New Year’s Eve (details advertised below) I booked myself, husband and adult daughter to go. I asked when I booked if this venue will definitely have these celebrations and I was told yes. Thats why I booked it.

‘Join us for an unforgettable celebration this New Year’s Eve. Round out 2023 with a touch of The Ivy Royale as you enjoy a glass of Mumm Cordon Rouge Champagne on arrival, a bespoke set menu and spectacular entertainment. Hosted by our glamorous showmen and showgirls, try your luck and roll the dice for your chance to win a prize. We invite you to welcome the grandeur of 2024 with a show-stopping celebration, complete with live musicians and DJs as the clock counts down to midnight’

The greeting with the beautifully dressed showgirls & showmen was nice but very brief. No photo opportunity was given and yet would have been a nice souvenir of the evening. After being seated to our table our champagne arrived and we were handed a lovely Ivy Christmas cracker, there were no other celebratory decorations on the table.

The ambience was not much different from any other lovely evening there for dinner, with low music playing in the background. All very nice like a normal evening, however not extra special or different for a New Year’s Eve, there was no live DJ or live musicians playing either as advertised. When I asked about the live musicians & DJ I was told that they weren’t doing it this year as last year they had complaints about the volume being too loud!! I was very confused.

This venue is lovely and the food as always delicious and beautifully presented. Food service was efficient and the regular staff are always welcoming and kind to remember us.

It was such a shame that it was not a night as advertised, to be even more special for New Year’s Eve.

The showgirl/man came to see our table once to roll the dice and only 2 of us had an opportunity to play. That was the end of the entertainment!

A friend who stayed later said that the evening entertainment or ambiance did not change seeing the night into the New Year. It put her off booking again for a New Year’s Eve celebration.

The Winchester Ivy will continue to be a special venue for me as it holds wonderful memories of a friend I used to dine with here regularly, who sadly has recently passed away. I will not be booking for a New Year’s Eve there again as I was disappointed it was not as what...

I have had some incredible food in The Ivy brasserie chain of restaurants and invariably impeccable service too. We first found out about them on a trip to Edinburgh and the meal we had up there was sensational. Back home on the south coast and the Winchester branch is our closest. Been here now several times and just for back from another visit and again it has to be said superb in every way. Attentive, friendly and prompt service without being overbearing and fabulously delicious food there is simply nothing not to like. This time we dropped in on spec without a booking thinking we were changing our arm a bit but they found us a table right at the back in a quiet room off of the main restaurant. Lovely bright decor, comfy seats and plenty of room. Our waiter was soon with us to take our drinks order and a couple of summer cocktails were on the cards - delicious!!

Knowing the desserts here we opted out of starters and went straight for mains with the blackened cod being my OHs main if choice with a medium rare sirloin with Béarnaise sauce being mine. Add in sauces of mash potato (sounds boring - it is NOT) and creamed spinach and off we go!!

Flavours to die for, textures and presentation awesome and portion size perfect. My steak was perfectly cooked and could have been eaten with a spoon it was so tender however the rather nice laguiole knife they give you for the steak worked equally well!! Mains eaten there was little need to see the dessert menu for me the chocolate bomb is my goto. Crème brûlée for my OH. The chocolate bomb is a taste sensation and truly one of the most decadent, sweet, rich and mouthwatering dessert I think I’ve ever eaten. If you haven’t tried it you are missing out!!

Overall this place deserves its place up there as one of the best restaurants outside of the Michelin star brigade and in truth is better than some that do hood the converted stars.

Always on my list of places to visit, I think we have challenged ourselves to tick off all branches of this fine chain in due course, they really are a cut above the rest!!!

Thanks to everyone that made today’s meal a great dining experience, it’s very much...

My recent visit to the Ivy Brasserie in Bath was an absolutely wonderful experience, thanks in large part to Maddie, our exceptional waitress, who went above and beyond to make our day memorable.

From the moment we arrived, the ambiance was just as I had hoped—charming, elegant, and inviting. The restaurant’s decor struck the perfect balance between modern chic and timeless elegance, with warm lighting that created a cozy yet sophisticated atmosphere. The attention to detail in the design truly added to the experience.

The food was equally delightful. Each dish was beautifully presented and tasted as wonderful as it looked. I ordered the [specific dish if you’d like to mention one], which was cooked to perfection, with flavors that balanced and complemented each other perfectly. The menu offered a great selection of dishes, and the chef’s creativity was clear in every bite.

But what truly made the experience outstanding was Maddie. She was friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable, always present without being intrusive. Maddie seemed to know exactly when we needed her and when we were happy to just enjoy the food and the atmosphere. Her warm personality made us feel welcome, and she took the time to explain dishes, answer questions, and recommend a few items. Her passion for the menu was clear, and her enthusiasm was contagious!

Maddie had a wonderful way of making us feel like we were her only guests, even though the restaurant was bustling. She brought a personal touch that’s hard to find and helped make our meal feel special and personal. Her service went beyond the standard and genuinely made our day. By the time we left, it felt like we’d been hosted by a friend.

Overall, Ivy Brasserie Bath provided a fantastic dining experience, from the delicious food to the exquisite ambiance. But it’s Maddie’s remarkable service that stood out and made the day unforgettable. I would highly recommend Ivy Brasserie, and I sincerely hope to see Maddie again on my next visit—she’s truly a credit to...