Chesil Rectory

Reviews

• Ian H

  Last week I visited the Chesil Rectory in Winchester for the first time since it's re opening & what a pleasant surprise, it has completely changed and for the better. The dark rooms and stuffyness have gone its been redecorated so you can see what a beautiful building it is. But the important bit, the food. I really don’t understand some of the reviews here. Everything we tried was great and so was the service, staff welcoming and friendly to a man/woman, certainly not “pretentious”. Plus the prices were much more reasonable (did the previous reviewer saying prices were high ever go in it’s previous incarnation?!). The owner took the trouble to give us a mini tour (there’s a private dinning room upstairs. We like) and even introduced us to the chef who previously worked at Fortnums. Just what Wincheter needs – we will be back.

  10

  Ian H.
  Review Date: 05/02/2009 Report review
• Mr

  I went in to the Chesil Rectory with my friends the other day and cannot praise the place enough. The staff were incredibly friendly...the perfect hosts and the food was spot on. I love what they have done with the building and look forward to eating there again soon.

  10

  Tom H.
  Review Date: 15/01/2009 Report review
• What an improvement

  I went to this restaurant a couple of years ago and found it over-priced and lacking atmosphere, so I was interested to see the new version - and what a difference! It was fantastic. The service was efficient and attentive without being "in your face" and the food was delicious with perfectly sized portions. It is the perfect venue for an intimate meal or a family celebration. I honesly can't recommend the Chesil Rectory strongly enough.

  10

  Jennifer C.
  Review Date: 08/01/2009 Report review
• not quite there

  Food very mediocre even at cheaper prices. My main course of salmon was cold in the middle and after sending it back I was firmly informed that it is meant to be cooked pink - maybe so - but not cold surely? Staff varied between lovely and pretentious. Had taken friends too - what a disappointment. Will never return or recommend it

  40

  Andrew P.
  Review Date: 22/09/2007 Report review
• Chesil Rectory doesn't quite make it

  Undoubtedly the best attributes of the Chesil Rectory are the building itself (dating from 1450) and the presentation/layout of the dining area which is just about perfect. In Hampshire there are some good budget restaurants (eg Piccolo Mondo - Southampton -lunch at £15) and reputable high quality restaurants (Chewton Glen - New Milton - £50). In terms of food quality I would put the Chesil Rectory in the middle ground (which in the UK generally seems like quite a broad category). Like many such restaurants it has pretentions to be in the top flight and charges what I consider to be a high price for reasonable but unremarkable food. I paid £44 including tip for lunch with wine, a single pre-lunch beer and coffee. The servings were small nouvelle-cuisine, which is not a problem for lunch if the prices were not so high. Service was good. As an alternative I would recommend trying La Parisienne Romsey for better meals at cheaper prices or spend just a few pounds more and indulge in the lunch menu at the Chewton Glen.

  30

  Graham H.
  Review Date: 01/12/2006 Report review
• 10-Sep-04

  Good location with easy parking nearby. Very old building and if you are located near the windows, the traffic lights and pedestrians are very distracting. The service very slow and the food was nothing of particular merrit with some options not being available. During the very slow meal, there was never any interest from the staff as to whether the food was satisfactory or why it was so slow in arriving. Sadly the attitude and general atmosphere of the restaurant will prevent me from wanting or from trying the experience again. My rating of five is only due to the very good scallop starter and some of the semi warm main course duck. My dining companion had no such praise for any of the dishes. Top tip -Pizza express around the corner offers better service and they at least give the appearance of caring.

  10

  G C.
  Review Date: 01/12/2004 Report review
• What a way to finish a holiday

  Good food, good service the best atmosphere, what more can you ask for? We'll be back!

  10

  May J.
  Review Date: 01/12/2004 Report review
• Best restaurant ever

  This is the best restaurant I have ever eaten in. I took my partner there for his birthday upon a recommendation from a work colleague and was so glad I did! The building; food; service; everything was wonderful! The service was very friendly (unpretentious) and we had no hesitation in asking questions about the food. Yes, it is expensive but not ridiculously so, and not that much more expensive than other popular restaurants in Winchester/Southampton. The fixed price menu is great - allowing you to feel free to pick exactly what you want as everything is the same price. That said, choosing what to eat is an enourmous difficutly, everything on the menu sounds so tempting, particularly the desserts! Would have absolutely no hestitation in going there again, though I think this has to be reserved for ""special occasions"" only - it is so wonderful that if you ate there too often other restaurants just wouldn't match up.

  10

  Jo J.
  Review Date: 01/12/2004 Report review
• what an experience!

  food was out of this world,service was relaxed and very friendly

  10

  Rebecca C.
  Review Date: 30/07/2004 Report review