Adam Ventress (25 August 2008)

My wife and I decided to try this place out as a special treat for our wedding anniversary in July. Definitely not somewhere for a regular visit, but as an occasional treat, it sounded ideal. As a chef and restaurant owner myself, it is a rare treat to eat out and I want to make sure it is somewhere worth it when I do. So many places are a let down, and I would rather travel a little further and pay a little more for a special dinner if it means having a really quality meal. Overall, Hipping Hall did not disappoint. The service was very attentive and professional, without being snooty. The setting is delightful, and the food is excellent. We were able to sit outside sipping our glasses of Sauvignon Blanc and eating the splendid canapés before we ordered. In some ways the best parts of the meal were the amuse bouche and the pre dessert. The amuse bouche was a lovely mix of shrimps and samphire with a small piece of monkfish - delicious. The pre dessert was a chilled mini rhubarb and apple crumble, a perfect balance of sweet and sharp, over a beautiful vanilla cream - perfect.

The hand dived scallops I had for starters were excellent, although the pea puree was a little lacking in flavour compared to the rest. The John Dory main course was very tasty, if a little heavy on salt, and the rhubarb dessert was lovely, especially the poached rhubarb and sorbet, which I found myself wanting more of instead of the one or two slightly superfluous bits and bobs on the plate. After being spoilt in the restaurant, it was nice to be left to relax with coffee and petit fours in the lounge at our leisure. This is a special place for a special treat, with very good staff, terrific food and attention to detail. Just make sure you bring a full wallet!