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Southampton
Hobbits Restaurant Bar
Location: 6b High Street, Hythe, Southampton, SO45 6AH [
map]
Phone: 0845 202 5810
Open: Mon-Thurs 11am-2pm, 7pm-10pm; Fri & Sat 11am-10pm; Sun 6pm-10pm
Hythe is a small town with a long history in an enviable location, between Southampton Water and the New Forest National Park. Opportunities for bike rides and walks in the New Forest lie just a few minutes drive to the west, whilst in the town the ferry leaves every 30 minutes for Southampton Pier and Town Quay, and the Hobbits Restaurant Bar sits proudly on the High Street.
Hobbits was named by a previous owner and, as you might expect, there is plenty of intriguing Lord of the Rings paraphernalia to entertain. It is now owned and managed by Scott Gilfoy and Dean Mondon, who look after the front of house and the kitchen respectively.
The fare available at Hobbits is just one reason for its popularity with the locals. Of our two excellent starters – king prawns cooked in garlic and white wine, and calamari fritti – the latter was the star for me. It was lightly battered and quickly deep fried, keeping it crispy on the outside and soft and melting on the inside. It was worlds away from the squid I have eaten elsewhere.
The main menu offers a huge choice, with the emphasis on meat dishes and a nod to classic Italian and French cuisine. For my companion, fillet steak Hobbits style was a must-have, and he declared the perfectly cooked piece of meat, stuffed with boursin and wrapped in bacon, ‘spot-on’. On Scott’s recommendation, I chose fillet of local venison with a wild mushroom and tarragon jus, a special from the chalkboard. Five fanned slices of perfectly pink meat came with a rich mushroom sauce and a side dish of deftly cooked vegetables. We couldn’t resist the temptation of homemade desserts to finish, choosing chocolate orange creme brulée and forest berry cheesecake.
Owner Scott credits both his suppliers for their faultless meat and Dean for his expert cooking, and in turn he deserves praise for his attentive and well-informed service – not to mention the warm welcome we received. Whatever your reason for visiting Hobbits, you are guaranteed a sprinkling of magic on your day.
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