Loch Fyne, Farnham – Review

When you think about chain restaurants, you usually approach them with trepidation and anxiousness; at the basic level there are worries over the quality of the food, the service from staff and the overall feel of the restaurant. However, you need not approach Loch Fyne restaurants with any sort of trepidation, because going by our last visit to Loch Fyne in Farnham (Hampshire), there are only good things to say about this collection of restaurants. The food was fresh, perfectly cooked and scrumptiously flavoursome. We immediately felt at home in the warm surroundings and the restaurants smart decor – it was not overly pretentious, but certainly smart and comfortable. Also, the service was top notch and the setting was tranquil and classy – we loved it!

The Food

The menu is a comprehensive journey through seafood and the menu will satisfy even the fussiest eater. As with any meal, we began by perusing the starters and settled on the Moules Marineres. This dish was the ideal way to kick off the evening; it was jam packed full of flavour, hands-on and fun. Also, it came with rustic white bread, served in a charming individual basket. The starter menu also offers such delights as Loch Fyne Oysters, served on ice, in tempura batter or with a garlic and herb breadcrumb. You can also pick from Smoked Ashet, Crayfish and mango cocktail, and a slightly less fishy, Duck Liver Parfait.

In the mains department we were recommended to have the `Fish, your way` – and I am really glad we took this advice! This is a part of the menu that allows you to have what you want, cooked how you want and with whatever side orders you want. I went for a lovely fillet of Turbot, grilled, with salsa verde, twice cooked chips and pan fried samphire, with garlic butter. This combination was exactly to my taste and was one of the most satisfying fish courses I have ever had. Each element was cooked to perfection and the turbot in particular melted in the mouth. All of this was washed down with a glass of Laroche Chablis – the perfect accomplice to a devilishly tasty dish.

The flexibility offered by this section of the menu really does make dining at Loch Fyne a joy. Furthermore, the ability to have fish exactly how you want it is a real revelation and I would thoroughly recommend trying the `Fish, your way` option to anyone. In fact, I am already lining up my next visit, just to have it again!

The service was absolutely impeccable, friendly and our waiter kept us smiling. Also, other members of staff were always willing to help or assist us with any questions or queries. In fact, when we announced to the waiter that my partner and I were celebrating a special occasion, the staff were so accommodating as to give us a complimentary bottle of champagne – a lovely, lovely touch.

Our visit to the Loch Fyne in Farnham (Hampshire) was a real treat and we will definitely be dining there in the future. The menu is strong and its promises come to fruition on the plate – there are also many additional flourishes which make for an exciting dining experience. To book your table click here: www.lochfyne-restaurants.com