Steve (20 November 2009)

Acting on impulse, three couples descended on Banks one Friday evening. Two of the ladies are fussy eaters, the rest discerning diners. For starters, three had the twice baked cheese soufflé, which was very cheesy and quite delicious, the prawns in garlic butter were absolutely superb and more bread was ordered to mop up all the remaining butter. The mains were delivered - mushroom tagliatelle and fish - both plates were cleared - testament indeed - however the big challenge was whether the crispy belly of pork could exceed that of the Baker's Arms in Droxford. It did in every way - the pork was cooked to perfection - crispy skin, a sweet layer of fat and melt in the mouth meat; the sauce and accompanying vegetables complemented the pork brilliantly.

Dessert was four strawberry pavlovas and two warm chocolate fondants, clean plates all round. The atmosphere was lively without being overbearing, which it can be in Banks sometimes due to large parties. The service was attentive but not intrusive, all round a fantastic evening. When the bill came, no one baulked as exceptional food as we had eaten doesn't come for £5 a dish. We would recommend Banks to anyone and it’s now my new favourite place to eat in the Meon Valley

B. Kelly (23 September 2009)

Banks Bar Bistro was one of the restaurants featured in a recent coupon give away and that was how we found it. Four of us went there last night and this little gem is in our opinion one of the top five in Hampshire. The food was just fantastic; staff were excellent and it has a great choice of wine without breaking the bank. I will definitely be going back.