Eastleigh, French Restaurant Guide

2021 Review: “The garden’s a joy in summer” at the original HdV, founded 25 years ago in a gorgeous Georgian house – but there’s a persistent feeling that it fails to live up to its attractive setting or extensive cellar, with diners too often “disappointed” by their bistro fare. The chain, which now numbers 19 boutique hotels, has been sold twice in the last 10 years.

“Garth (maître d’) and his wife (Maranda, the chef) run a truly delightful restaurant”, say fans of this long-running French venture, which the duo took over a decade ago from Paris-born chef German Marquis, and recently shepherded from its former setting on the A30 to a handier high street location. By all accounts, Maranda’s cooking is “superb” (prompting “possibly the best meal” one reporter had this year) and service is “excellent” too.

2021 Review: An “excellent coffee and cake selection” (verging on the “healthy” side), supported by “interesting” snack lunches underpin the allure of this town-centre café – and “in summer you can retire to the courtyard or sit out front to watch the world go by”; “unfortunately the branch in Winchester has now closed”.

“Fab French food in the middle of nowhere” – on the edge of the New Forest – has won a devoted fan club for Claude Laage’s establishment, now 30 years old and an “all-time favourite restaurant” to many for its “wonderful Gallic experience” and “superb wine list”. You can also eat inexpensively here, from its ‘Le Frog bistro’ menu – same space and servers but much less fancy Gallic fare.