Review on Rhinefield House, Armada Restaurant
Built in the 1890s and known locally as the 'Jewel in the Forest', Rhinefield House is a glorious prospect, set amid a natural forest of redwoods, copper beeches and rhododendrons embellished with Italianate ponds and ornamental landscaped gardens.
Much of the house was inspired by the architecture of the Alhambra Palace in Granada (take a look at the private dining room with its Persian onyx, hand-cut mosaic tiles and burnished copper and bronze). Elsewhere, the main restaurant features a magnificent, solid oak carving of the Armada set in the fireplace (hence its name).
The kitchen looks to the modern British and European repertoires for starters of sea bass fillet with crushed peas and sauce vierge or braised pork belly and lobster with shellfish oil, while main courses pick up the theme with the likes of rump and braised shoulder of New Forest lamb or seared wild halibut with chorizo, pak choi, chilli and coriander dressing. To finish, perhaps spicy chocolate pudding with lavender ice cream and chocolate butterscotch. The auspicious wine cellar has French gems aplenty (including a prime selection of Mouton Rothschild clarets) and a fine choice from elsewhere.
More casual food is available in the Brasserie, where the menu spans everything from tagiatelle carbonara and Caesar salad to sirloin steak with bubble 'n' squeak and Sunday roasts.
Rhinefield House, Armada Restaurant is also featured in: Michelin Guide, Hardens, AA Guide
Rate this RestaurantCuisine
Modern European
Chef
James Verity
Restaurant Opening Times
Dinner: 6.30 - 9.00pm (6.30 - 9.30pm Fri & Sat)
Accepted credit cards
Visa, Master Card, American Express