Sparsholt, Fish & Seafood Restaurant Guide

“One of the best restaurants in Winchester and consistently good over a number of years” – that’s how most diners view this Stein-family operation: a “busy town-centre fish bistro” which is the most commented-on venue locally in our annual diners’ poll and generates almost as much feedback as the Padstow mothership nowadays. “With top-quality food combined with professional service and a friendly welcome”, most reports say “it is hardly surprising that Rick Stein’s continues to be so popular”. But the idea that it’s “good but you always have that sensation that there is a premium for the name” grew this year, and a more significant number of reporters thought it either “overpriced”, “disappointing” or both. There’s widespread agreement, though, that “the set lunch is excellent value”.