The Town House — Restaurant in Winchester

I triedd to email these guys before I took to writing a review online as although we didn’t feel it appropriate to comment at the time (partly as we weren’t quite sure who was in charge and we didn’t want to create a fuss in front of my Grandmother who isn’t always sure what’s going on) I feel, as a fellow hospitality manager, it would only be fair to write directly beforehand. I have seen no reply to this email and therefore don’t feel I owe any loyalties.

After a lovely recent visit to their sister venue, the Three Horseshoes, we had high hopes. I booked and provided details of the party, making note that there was an elderly member of the party and that a ‘comfortable and quieter corner would be fantastic’. I can only assume that this request was not noted as we were sat in the main area of the restaurant, between the bar and the pass. I appreciate that table request can sometimes be awkward within a busy restaurant, however this didn’t seem to be the case this lunchtime, with tables available out of the way/by windows ect. The elderly member in question has mobility issues and therefore we didn’t feel appropriate to make comment and be required to move her again.

Our praises do, however, go to the food, which was was tasty and well enjoyed (albeit expensive) although the request to the female waiter for a small roast pork for my Grandmother (she tends to get overwhelmed with a full plate and doesn’t enjoy eating it) seemed a little awkward due to pre-prepared pork loin, understandably not her fault but a little weird in not being possible when catering for elderly and children. We requested fewer potatoes and veg, which was provided for, but still charged at full price.

This could have been looked over, however, on delivery of the food, there was no offer of apple sauce, any extra drinks etc, both of which we would of had but the energy we were served with, left us feeling that it would have been more of a chore for the male waiter than anything else. We ate, without anyone coming over to ask if everything was okay (we were hoping we could have tried to order another drink again here, but alas, no). I can understand if things like this are forgotten about during a busy service, but as proved by the female waiter, who was sat upon the bar changing the light bulbs of lamps as we walked past leaving, I didn’t get the gist they were rushed off their feet.

We finished up, politely returning the dessert menus that I feel were forced in front of our faces a little (we would have said no had we’d been asked if we wanted them) and paid, with the bills having a confusing note that read ‘12.5% service charge for parties of 1 or more’ - I can only assume this meant all parties?

Throughout the whole time there, service felt cold and performed to the basic satisfactory level of delivering our plates and taking them away again, and not at the level you’d expect for a fairly high end place, with matched prices. The uniforms of the staff were confusing - the male waiter was wearing a green bodywarmer, and the chef (visible through the open pass we were sat by) was wearing a white underarmour gym top rather than chef whites or even a plain top.

We felt this visit fell below standard of what we have previously seen from staff at The Three Horseshouse and hopefully this will provide opportunity for improvement at your...

WOW!!! I've only been living in Arlesford 6 years and only just found this wonderful hidden gem and I say hidden because the outside isn't screaming fantastic restaurant in fact I can't actually it's screams anything...Whether that's deliberate or not myself and my partner thought let's give it try and we had no idea what laid behind the coffee shop lounge and went through a door saying Come Through....I was literally flawed by the site of a long stretched bar and then tables and chairs that looked very inviting and lighting. The entire decor and lighting felt warm, and eye-catching colours and furniture. Not over the top or pretentious, just well thought out and executed well.

Now, onto the menu and drinks we were offered....We looked at the menus and was impressed with the choices.

So we started with a cocktails then chose our starters and mains wines...Then even had a cheese board with crackers and we sat in there from 7 til 9pm and didn't even realise we'd sat in the for two hours because we had one of the best meals in a long time and we've eaten in some pretty good places over the years and we just kept agreeing how well presented it was and most of all the flavours of food were exceptional too....The relaxed atmosphere and very attentive and friendly staff made it an even better experience and seeing the chef do his thing was also very impressive. It was only right to gave our compliments to the Chef 👨‍🍳 We had a lovely chat with our waiter who enlightened us on the back story of the restaurant that's been there for around 18 months and their future plans to open extra days. Which is very impressive and exciting for the owners I'm sure as they have something quite special going on there I just think they need to shout out more about it because I'm not sure like us if everyone is very aware of what's beyond the door or if we're just the last to find out lol.

We left with big smiles and very satisfied bellies and can't wait to take our friends and family there for a treat.

On top of that the prices were absolutely reasonable for that standard of food. Thank you Town House and yes we'll definitely be back soon.

I will let the pictures do the talking and hope that you don't do what we've done and keep walking past it. Go in and...

WOW!!! I've only been living in Arlesford 6 years and only just found this wonderful hidden gem and I say hidden because the outside isn't screaming fantastic restaurant in fact I can't actually it's screams anything...Whether that's deliberate or not myself and my partner thought let's give it try and we had no idea what laid behind the coffee shop lounge and went through a door saying Come Through....I was literally flawed by the site of a long stretched bar and then tables and chairs that looked very inviting and lighting. The entire decor and lighting felt warm, and eye-catching colours and furniture. Not over the top or pretentious, just well thought out and executed well.

Now, onto the menu and drinks we were offered....We looked at the menus and was impressed with the choices.

So we started with a cocktails then chose our starters and mains wines...Then even had a cheese board with crackers and we sat in there from 7 til 9pm and didn't even realise we'd sat in the for two hours because we had one of the best meals in a long time and we've eaten in some pretty good places over the years and we just kept agreeing how well presented it was and most of all the flavours of food were exceptional too....The relaxed atmosphere and very attentive and friendly staff made it an even better experience and seeing the chef do his thing was also very impressive. It was only right to gave our compliments to the Chef 👨‍🍳 We had a lovely chat with our waiter who enlightened us on the back story of the restaurant that's been there for around 18 months and their future plans to open extra days. Which is very impressive and exciting for the owners I'm sure as they have something quite special going on there I just think they need to shout out more about it because I'm not sure like us if everyone is very aware of what's beyond the door or if we're just the last to find out lol.

We left with big smiles and very satisfied bellies and can't wait to take our friends and family there for a treat.

On top of that the prices were absolutely reasonable for that standard of food. Thank you Town House and yes we'll definitely be back soon.

I will let the pictures do the talking and hope that you don't do what we've done and keep walking past it. Go in and...