This issue we moor up in Lymington - taking a buoy off the busy Town Quay to make the most of the Saturday market, shops and pubs. This lovely Georgian town made it's money from salt panning back in the day and press ganging at night - so watch out!
This month we look at a couple of options, one for the gourmand and one for a fun family Spanish lunch, plus the optional hike or bike routes to take you somewhere off the watery track.
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| Lymington Quay
So we start by stumbling across Fine Food 4 Sail, tucked into a corner of Berthon's boatyard, opposite Force Four chandlery. It’s a deli-come-wine bar specialising in ‘hot rocks’ where you can cook your own local steak, lamb, scallops and prawns on volcanic stone. The trick here is that the chef sources the finest ingredients (hence the name) so the steak is melt in the mouth and you can chose to have 3 scallops, 2 prawns and a lamb cutlet, if that is what you hanker for. The owner, Paul Bayntun, an ex ad man, makes a genial host and can often be found looking after the rosé or showing photos of fish recently caught on the huge Mac on the bar.
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| The Deli at Fine Food 4Sail |
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| Interior of Fine Food 4Sail |
They are open from 9 am serving breakfasts and can cater for big groups in a private room. Many locals and those working in the yard use this as their office, there is wifi, good coffee and a lovely ambience created by the New England style décor – relaxed.
In good weather they will throw a barbeque round the back, and you need to remember that this is the way in after 9pm, to keep the neighbours happy.
Tasting notes
(15 mins walk from Yacht Haven)
+ good choice of food/ quality ingredients & good wine list
Tel: 01590 677 705 Opening Hours: 09.00 - 23.00hrs
Most popular plate – courgette & feta fritters, tempura battered lemon sole & hot rocks
If you’ve got all the kids aboard and they love churros - who doesn't – why not wander up the High Street to La Vina, a fun Spanish restaurant that does three tapas for £9.95.
Tel: 01590 674 010 Opening Hours: 09.00 – last orders 21.30 every day of week
Most popular plate tapas – we love the chipirones and the churros to share for £6.25. Try the Sangria of the day.
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| Bon appetite |
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| Churros |
Tel: 01590 642391
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| The Gun Inn |
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| The Quay at Keyhaven |
The bike – take the train to Brockenhurst and hire a bike from Cycle Experience just by the station. You then have two options, cycle through the woods, some 4 miles to the pretty hamlet of Bank, where the Oak Inn will serve you a very good lunch.
Distance 4 miles each way - nearly all off road
Tel: 023 8028 2350 Opens at 12:00 (children under 10 are not allowed in the pub after 18:00)
Most popular plate: catch of the day, or the roast peppers stuffed with feta
Or go upmarket and either cycle (or better still walk - and save your bucks for lunch) the mile distance to The Pig, Brockenhurst. A wonderful country house hotel with mouth watering kitchen garden and spa - a proper treat if you are celebrating. The Pig is little sister, never runt of the litter, to Limewood House in Lyndhurst
Tel: 01590 622354 Open all day: flatbreads 12:00-17:00hrs
Most popular plate: the flat breads on the terrace. Quail egg & home cured hams
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| The Pig |
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| The wood-fired Pizza Oven |
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| The Dining Room |
Feedback request
I would like to hear your views on the Haven, the bistro with perfect views over the Solent to Yarmouth, as I do not have room to review this time but would like to in the future - so let me know your thoughts please as there are many rumblings locally since the re-fit and the involvement of the endearing Chris Evans.
Please send to penny@thephysicalpr.co.uk , thank you.
Useful Links:
www.nationalrail.co.uk - Lymington Pier to Brockenhurst leaves .29 & .59 past hour £3.30
www.cyclex.co.uk - CycleExperience 01590 624204 hire from £16 for the day
www.lymington.org - great site for local info/ walks etc
