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hand picked restaurants

In an area which is not exactly short on restaurants of a high standard, Les Bouviers comes out well in the upper echelons. Located in five acres of landscaped gardens with a lake, weeping willow and wooden footbridge, guests can stay in one of their elegantly furnished bedrooms, enjoy a cream tea on the terrace or explore the delights of their restaurant.

The food, drawn from carefully selected and genuinely fresh local ingredients, sets the tone. The Menu Gourmand from which the evening's offerings are selected features for instance an individual boned quail filled with poultry farce served with marinated sauterne grapes and sauterne sauce. After a sorbet thoughts might turn to a pan-fried fillet of West Coast brill nestled on a tomato and courgette confit, braised fennel and tomato oil. To finish, perhaps the tangy passion fruit tart with clotted cream? A lively wine list does ample justice to the food.

Via Veneto serves contemporary Italian cuisine in a spectacular location with views over Poole Harbour, Brownsea Island and the Sandbanks peninsula. It is a stylish and romantic restaurant, ideal for families, couples, and corporate dining. Decorated in a light and airy Mediterranean style with bare floorboards it also offers a terrace overlooking Poole Harbour where guests can dine during the warm summer days.

Begin a pleasant gastronomic journey by ordering crushed tomatoes, fresh basil, red onion, and extra virgin olive oil on toasted ciabatta bread and carefully selected choice of cured Italian meats, mozzarella, sun dried tomatoes and marinated olives. Main course could consist of spaghetti polpette, classic meat balls with fried mushrooms and tomato sauce and risotto al pesce, with king prawns, smoked salmon, shrimp, parsley and lemon. A range of pizzas, calzones and salads are also available. A tiramisu for dessert will end a well compiled meal.

Undoubtedly one of the best Chinese restaurants in Bournemouth. The cuisine is Peking and Szechuan and there is clear evidence of more than just ordinary care in the preparation of the food, which is cheerfully served by staff who have the wit to know that it may be just another night for them but for their customers it is special. It is often not appreciated that Peking cuisine was created in the Imperial Kitchens and now serves as the premier style of food in China. Certainly in the transition from China to Dorset it has not suffered, though if you prefer something spicier and more salt-baked the Szechuan is there to delight you.

You can seldom go wrong with tapas because there's something for every taste, and at West Cliff Tapas in Bournemouth, it's all too easy to let go of yourself and fully enjoy the fare with the help of the warm and friendly atmosphere. A touch of Spain in Britain is not at all incongruous given the popularity of tapas today, but what appeals largely is the focus in trying to make everything as authentic as possible without giving into the temptation to Westernize the concept.

A choice of twenty tapas includes fillets of anchovies marinated in olive oil, garlic and vinegar, chorizo with cider and deep fried Serrano ham croquettes. Salads are enticing but do try the main course of roast sea bass in sauce garnished with mussels and clams or a dish of traditional paella with chicken and mixed seafood. Finish with a slice of outrageously decadent chocolate cake or classic tiramisu.

Situated on the 1st floor, Ellington's offers two tempting menus the table d'hote offers daily dishes for a set price and the a la carte features our chefs signature dishes and local fayre. A pianist plays convivial music Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday lunch. Ellington's is the perfect place to celebrate any occasion, birthdays, and anniversaries. Why not book private dining in the palace lounge, seating up to 50.