Nurse's Cottage Restaurant with Rooms, The

Fiona (18 October 2008)

We were absolutely delighted to have discovered The Nurse's Cottage Conservatory Restaurant last week. My fiancé and I were lucky to get the last table for two last Saturday, and were further amazed at the keen prices. At £24 per head for an expertly produced three course meal, with free mineral water, coffee and petit four, we walked away stunned at the price, and quality ratio.

I started with a pumpkin and pear soup. It was lighter than I imagined it would be, refreshing and homely, while my fiancé had a beautifully presented wood pigeon breast topped with a quail egg. We continued with the guinea fowl in tarragon and white sauce for me, and the Shetland salmon flamed in cointreau for my fiancé. Both were exquisite, although my guinea fowl came with a spoon. I still can't figure out how I should have used it. We were really stunned by the generous helpings of organically and locally grown vegetables that were served. A large dish of parsnips, peas, potatoes and carrots were served, to my delight, without heaps of butter and salt, which were left to add to our taste. It was completely unnecessary when you have vegetables that taste of something. We drank a half bottle of Chateau Musar 2000 with our meal, and had room left over for the chocolate mousse, which my fiancé described as the best chocolate dessert he had ever eaten. I had a well chosen cheese plate that featured local cheeses. The service was incredibly friendly, with the owner - chef happy to talk about the local area. What I especially liked was that even though my fiancé and I appear young, and look like tourists, we weren't patronised or given short shrift service. At the same time, even though the room was small, it fostered a lovely, cosy atmosphere that was good for a private conversation, and where-to-go-in-the-New-Forest, tips between tables. I guess the only thing I have left to say is have a great time when you go, as we certainly did.