Dinner in Southampton

[sandra]

Will be there next Friday evening... we'll be at the Holiday Inn by the water, I know, I know - BUT it is across from the ferry to Isle of Wight for the next day...)

We won't have a car, so is there anything decent in "downtown" S'oton, maybe a short cab ride away, where we can have a dinner?

Thanks!

[peterpumkino]

The short answer is 'no'. But I had one of the best meals in the uk at Le Pouisson (described as a 'restaurant with rooms') just as you enter the New Forest. Really, it was comparable to similar places in France. It's a Michelin (although that on it's own does not impress me). I know it's not downtown bt it's really memorable.

[Carlovski]

There are a couple of places where you can get something reasonable, if you want something special, I'd say you would have to travel further afield - either into the new forest as suggested, or possibly to Winchester, which is a nicer city anyway. If you are happy to stay in Southampton though - here are couple of suggestions.

Langleys Bistro is probably one of the better choices - usual Bistro fare, and usually some decent seafood on offer.

Oxford street is the main restaurant street in Southampton (And not too far from the Holiday Inn), there are a couple of decent places, plus the usual suspects. Kuti's is good if you fancy indian, plus there is Poppadum express- a chain trendified (is that a word?) indian that's not bad, quite good for lunch. There is Oxfords, which I have heard mixed reports over, plus a couple of other standard city type restaurant/wine bar type places. The Boom is an interesting place - it serves Meze style bits and bobs, nothing fancy, but mainly decently and locally sourced. It's more of a fun place for a crowd though (I went last Friday for a workmates birthday). So you could have a walk down there , and see what takes your fancy, there are a couple of pubs too (And if you get really desperate, a pizza express!). And you are away from the main bustle of the city centre (Which I would recommend staying away from).

If you do venture into town, you could try the Boozy Rouge, at Above Bar. Again, fairly rough and ready Bistro style stuff.

I'd stay away from 'La Lupa' though. It's the archtypal dodgy town centre italian. Think candles in chianti bottles,checked tablecloths and 'Amusing' waiters.

Southampton isn't really the place for fine dining I'm afraid, but you can get a fairly enjoyable meal. If you are considering travelling further afield, I can give you some more suggestions (As you may have guessed, I live just up the road from Southampton)

[sandra]

Thanks for your ideas Carlovski - we really prefer not to travel this time, we have to be up early on Saturday to catch the ferry to IoW anyway...

Oxford Street sounds good, can we walk it from the HolInn or cab?

I guess the Quays don't have a lovely little cluster of restaurants facing the water, eh?

[Carlovski]

Ocean village, the regenerated bit of the quays has a variety of bar/restaurant places, though I can't say I'd vouch for the quality - more the jug of frozen margherita type places. It's just opposite oxford street though, so you can have a look.

You would hope there would be a lovely collection of seafood restaurants wouldn't you?

Portsmouth has done better - there is a lovely terrace at Gunwharf keys, and although all the restaurants are bog standard chain places, sitting ouside and having the view with lots of people milling about gives it an almost mediterranian feel.

There is also Town Quay, which has a chain mexican place, and also a tapas place I think (Which is meant to be ok). That is also where your Ferry is probably going from.

Oxford street isn't too far to walk, I'm sure the hotel can give you better directions than me, but you can basically just walk by the quayside to it (Hence bypassing the centre - good thing on a Friday night!).

It is probably your best bet - there is about 7/8 places to eat, and a couple of pubs (The one one the corner, facing the casino has got a bit of a dodgy reputation, but the other one - the Grapes I think is quite nice).

There used to be an IT training place on the corner. Going for courses there was great - they had deals with the restaurants, so you go to them for lunches. Afternoons are a bit lazy after eating a Thali from poppadum express though!

If you are down this way again, do try and make time for Winchester though. Much nicer and a good range of places to eat (Hotel du Vin, Old Chesil Rectory, Wykeham Arms + more just out of town) and some good pubs.

[sandra]

Great Thanks! I'll start looking at maps..

We've been to Winchester, as a matter of fact when we go to the Boat Show we stay at winchester and drive in, but this weekend is just about Cowes - I couldn't get us a hotel on IoW (obviously!) so this will have to do - and we figured trains are easier than renting a car...

We really like Winchester and may go again for the Boat Show anyway, so will call upon your expertise then...

Thanks!

[peterpumkino]

Le Pouissin is begining to sound like THE place for you this time - and it's really not far.

[sandra]

Ouch ouch and triple ouch... we did not manage to have a single good meal the whole weekend... Friday night, we headed off to Oxford Street, lots of nice little places but it was so unbearably hot, sitting outside was a requirement, not an option, and all restos were full except for Pizza Express, so in we go, nice table outside, 2 matching Ferraris parked on the street, with occupants in tables next to us... Possibly the worst Pizza Express in the UK... sour sauce, very little cheese...whatever, no details needed.

The next day at Cowes I had a quick sandwich at a pub with a terrace overlooking the Solent while husband sailed, and then I spent a good hour looking for a place for dinner - you know nice terrace, some seafood,, some wine... Nothing doing... all I could find were grotty pubs and tiny little restos without a water view and not even a hint of outside or even breezy space... Again, it was impossible to eat inside due to the heat, so back on the ferry to Southampton...

That morning we had seen Margarita's on our way to the ferry, they had a table outside, facing the charming parking lot, but hey, it was outside!! Mediocre Italian food, not horrible, not fabulous... at this point we were hungry, tired, and possibly sun-stroked....

OH, and the rooms at the Holiday Inn, no air conditioning... 2 hellish nights without sleep...

What is it about this country and A/C?!?!?!? Any of the little places on Oxford Street and even Cowes would have been acceptable had there been a/c! And even when a place does have a/c, like the lobby of the Holiday Inn, the doors are kept open, allowing all the cool air to refresh the gardens, presumably?? Why, why, why????

Anyway... you all were right... next time, we're going to that Poussin (or in winter!)

[Carlovski]

Sorry to hear that Sandra. You are right. It was boiling on Friday.

I think it probably is an unjustifiable expense for most small restaurants to install air conditioning in this country, for the amount of time it is necessary. Maybe worth raising in it's own thread - i'm sure Basildog could give us the restauranters opinion.

Since you are saiing types I should have mentioned the jolly sailor at burlsedon - It's the one out of Howards Way! I've never been in though.

I probably should have guessed everywhere could be busy on a Friday night - sorry! I was only joking about going to Pizza express if you were desperate!

Next time you are down at the south coast, I'd recommend a day in Poole - lovely harbour and a couple of decent seafood places. I'm sure one of them must have a terrace!

[sandra]

Well, as far as I am concerned, in this country, with this humidity, you need a/c all year long - besides, I have been hearing this argument for 8 years we have lived here, and every year there is at least 2 months of heat if not stiffling heat, not a short period!! But I will leave this rant here... will start new thread ASAP, good idea...

The restos were only busy on the outside tables, mind you, inside they were like mausoleums, very hot and stuffy mausoleums!

I knew what you meant about Pizza Exp - but at that point it was either that or dinner at the Holiday Inn (eurg) - On our walk home we passed by La Lupa, and despite your comments, it probably would have been better than PizzExp.

Oh well, never mind, there is always the Boat Show in September....

[Carlovski]

If I find anywhere new and decent in southampton - I'll let you know for next time.

[Charlene Leonard]

there is a great restaurant called Rouille in Milford-on-Sea, Lymington. I know you can get the ferry to IOW from Lymington so maybe next time you can stay there, sounds as though it should be better than Southampton.

[Carlovski]

I'm going to be homeless at the end of the Month, current front runner in new place to live is central Southampton so looks like I will be finding out if it really is that bad.

Good news is I am pretty sure there is a decent butcher nearby - all I need to do is find a fishmonger as well.