This week Husband-G and I had the opportunity to spend a night away while Baby-G was on a school camp. We took full advantage of the chance and went to stay at the beautiful Lainston House which is just outside of Winchester in Hampshire.
England is enjoying a warm start to Autumn and the day was absolutely beautiful. Perfect for sitting on the gorgeous lawns and enjoying a drink.
We had a very light bite for lunch, as we had booked dinner at The Avenue restaurant in the Hotel.
I had mini fishcakes with homemade tartare and H-G had tofu bites marinated in soy and maple syrup.
Both dishes were good and not at all filling which was what we needed. The mini fish cakes were light and fluffy and the tartare sauce was the best I have ever had.
After this we wandered around the estate and I made a beeline for the kitchen garden.
I was most amused by the the pumpkins in captivity
We had dinner at the restaurant The Avenue. It was simply incredible. Firstly some amuse bouches arrived and the waiter very carefully checked with H-G that he was vegetarian and then explained that his arancini was made with mushrooms not pork and the jelly on his jammy dodger was made with vegetarian gelatine. A very nice touch that was greatly appreciated.
The dining room
Amuse bouche – chopped cured trout with caviar and horseradish cream. My favourite.
Savoury ‘jammy dodger’- cheese shortbread with cream cheese. This was really delicious and a fun recreation of the sweet biscuit.
My starter of egg yolk and ricotta ravioli with pea cream and truffles. This was amazing. The soft pasta encased a whole soft boiled egg yolk. Such skill and beauty and delicious to boot.
H-G’s starter of Isle of Wight tomatoes with cheese pearls and ‘fermented tomato’. Light and refreshing and very interesting.
This was Husband-G’s main. Sage gnocchi with smoked butternut squash and sage.
I had a lamb dish Smoked lamb croquette, with shoulder of lamb and artichokes. This was so rich and delicious. The lamb was perfectly tender.
We had planned to have a full 3 courses, but neither of us could manage a pudding. The dishes were so well made and balanced that even though individually the dishes were small in themselves the made a well rounded and gorgeous meal.
After waking up to this view and a good breakfast we went into Winchester on the way home.
We made a flying visit to Winchester Cathedral which is always a joy then home again to the Island in time to pick up Baby-G at the Ryde ferry.
We had such a lovely stay and we hope very much to return to Lainston House again before too long.
eatwithgusto 