Is anywhere better than Stovell's? (old Cloche Hat, Chobham)

Is anywhere better than Stovell's? (old Cloche Hat, Chobham)

Author
Discussion

krisdelta

4,566 posts

200 months

Thursday 2nd January 2014
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MadDad said:
Bluebells is great but pricey,
+1 - fantastic restaurant. Great service, excellent quality food - but not cheap.

woody2846

1,367 posts

149 months

Thursday 2nd January 2014
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Ascot Grill is excellent and is Run by John who also runs Bluebells.

spurs coupe

Original Poster:

294 posts

173 months

Sunday 8th June 2014
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Was back at Stovell's this week, the chef was on Saturday Kitchen last week.

Again great food, sensibly priced.

Great night out.










Sir_Dave

1,494 posts

209 months

Thursday 16th October 2014
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Thought id bump this up.

Went to Stovell's last night for our 10th anniversary on the basis of this thread/tripadvisor reviews.

Soo disappointed, especially on such an important occasion frown

Firstly, it took an age to get the food/drinks menu upon arrival, then they didnt have the starter that Sarah wanted. The crab she chose instead was bland/too cold, my deer was ok, but a bit meh. Mains, rabbit was ok, duck was nice, but the presentation was pretty naff imho - some meat chucked on some veg, not exactly "wow". Drinks wise, our "tap" water was diluted with sparkling upon the 2nd fill, making it undrinkable. Naturally we were then charged for sparkling at the end. Lots of waiting around in between each course, crumbs only cleaned away at the end of the meal, generally fairly slow service. Other diners appeared to be served incorrect meals, so i guess we did quite well in that respect.

We had planned to go for a desert, but in the end, decided to call it a night & just get the bill. £100 never felt like so much money. Having been to Petrus in London for our last "posh" meal (similar cost as we went for lunch), Stovell's wasnt on that level at all unfortunately. In fact, id say that we prefer our local pub, 2 courses & drinks for £30 with our gourmet society card.




stain

1,051 posts

209 months

Thursday 16th October 2014
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I was there last night too and had a different experience to you guys it would seem.

Greenish

209 posts

117 months

Friday 17th October 2014
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Sounds a bit like what the Cloche Hat was - i.e hit and miss. It was great if it was not busy, but filled tables showed some strain and inconsistency. Food there was always good, but I guess that depends on previous experience and what you call value for your own money.

Blues

8,546 posts

218 months

Friday 17th October 2014
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Just loving Chequers at Eversley Cross.
Consistently great food, terrific service and reasonably priced decent cocktails and wine list

and within walking distance!

Greenish

209 posts

117 months

Friday 17th October 2014
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Does it have room for the F430?

mattman

3,174 posts

221 months

Thursday 13th November 2014
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Have booked '36 on the Quay' in Emsworth for our upcoming wedding anniversary. 1 Michelin star, looks good, will report back....

Dizeee

18,168 posts

205 months

Thursday 13th November 2014
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Ive just booked for feb.

It will be our 3rd visit to the establishment but first to Stovells.

Hope it is ok. Not expecting michelin stars but expecting as good as.

GeoffW

360 posts

249 months

Friday 14th November 2014
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Made a second visit to Stovell's a couple of weekends ago to celebrate an anniversary with the Mrs. Sorry to report it was nowhere near as good as the first. No greeting, took 40 minutes to get a drink in the bar (although, when they arrived, the cocktails were good), good starters, dull mains, service pretty dismal (new recruit, I think, but he didn't know the menu). Overall, distinctly mediocre. First visit was amazing though so will go again; don't need it to be as good as the first visit but if it's like the second, won't be rushing back.

Greenish

209 posts

117 months

Saturday 29th November 2014
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As a result of this thread alone, I have cancelled my booking and instead we are going to Bluebells.

I have Cloche Hatted before, both times were good, expensive, but just about justified.

I am intruiged by Bluebells, as it seems so consistent, unlike Stovells / Cloche - which always seems to get random opinions.

stain

1,051 posts

209 months

Saturday 29th November 2014
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We have eaten there roughly 70 times in total and although the service has occasionally been clunky (training new recruits so I expect that), the food has always been consistently good.

mattman

3,174 posts

221 months

Saturday 6th December 2014
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We knocked '39 on the quay' on the head after reading some recent reviews and rumours of them losing their Michelin star for 2015.

Instead we visited the Bugle Inn in Twyford, just outside Winchester last night. More posh pub than fine dining but food was excellent. Decent menu, service was good, not too rushed and food was excellent. 3 courses each plus a couple of drinks came to £82 for the 2 of us. Ididn'tthink was too bad.

Meat is sourced from Laverstoke Park, fish is locally caught. Chateaubriand was £62 for 2', duck liver parfait starter was to die for, and the trio choc desert was almost too rich, but a perfect end

Would highly recommend it as a casual place to go for decent food

Edited by mattman on Saturday 6th December 22:10

MadDad

3,834 posts

260 months

Saturday 6th December 2014
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mattman said:
More posh pub than fine dining but food was excellent. Decent menu, service was good, not too rushed and food was excellent. 3 courses each plus a couple of drinks came to £82 for the 2 of us. I didn't think was too bad.

Would highly recommend it as a casual place to go for decent food
Similar to the Shurlock Inn in Shurlock Row between Binfield and Twyford in Berks, highly recommend it! All fresh locally sourced food, menu changes every couple of months and it's owned and run by a number of local residents and staff - so they really care!

Dizeee

18,168 posts

205 months

Saturday 6th December 2014
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Just been to the Arkle Manor in Betchworth. Absolutley stunning food, very very impressed.

spurs coupe

Original Poster:

294 posts

173 months

Saturday 30th May 2015
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Went to the anchor in Ripley last night, I believe it is run by someone from Drakes.

Food was great, came to a fairly pricey £85 for the pair of us, not much alcohol consumed and shared a dessert.

Posh Sausage and Beans!



Veg tart


Fillet Steak


Strawberry & Lime Cheesecake


Will be going back

SVTRick

3,633 posts

194 months

Saturday 30th May 2015
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spurs coupe said:
Went to the anchor in Ripley last night, I believe it is run by someone from Drakes.

Food was great, came to a fairly pricey £85 for the pair of us, not much alcohol consumed and shared a dessert.

Will be going back
One thing I can say when Chris did the refurbishment the drains had a good clean and CCTV inspection
cant vouch for the food as by the time I leave the Ship its far too late. smile


Jagmanv12

1,573 posts

163 months

Sunday 31st May 2015
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spurs coupe said:
Went to the anchor in Ripley last night, I believe it is run by someone from Drakes.

Food was great, came to a fairly pricey £85 for the pair of us, not much alcohol consumed and shared a dessert.
Went there a couple of weeks ago. Good quality but high prices for small portions.

Can recommend Queens Head in East Clandon.

silverfoxcc

7,683 posts

144 months

Thursday 4th June 2015
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Anyone been to The Hinds Head in Bray recently?