The Cloche Hat, Chobham,
Surrey - Ian Parker Reviews
Cloche Hat
Burrow Hill
Chobham
Surrey
GU24 8QS
Tel 01276 858000
Fax 01276 857597
We
visited the Cloche Hat on 11th
August, 2007, for dinner. Always
on the look out for excellent
dining in Surrey, the Cloche
Hat
attracted our attention following
a number of excellent reviews.
The restaurant is
situated on the edge of the delightful
village
of
Chobham. Whilst the area itself
is attractive, the restaurant's
own
description of its 'woodland setting'
is somewhat misleading. As a 16th
century developed cottage, the
premises themselves are surprisingly
unattractive. Understandably, the
ceilings are universally low,
encouraging even those of average
height to stoop permanently.
Of course, the main
attraction is the food. Upon arrival,
guests
are
encouraged to take a drink in the
bar. I often find this annoying
as we
always enjoy wines with the meal
and therefore have no hesitation
in
declining an unwanted pre-dinner
drink.
The Cloche Hat offers
a menu with good choice and some
creativity.
Between
us, we tried the goat's cheese
and red onion tart, duck salad
and smoked
salmon. The main courses were duck,
again, Scottish salmon and risotto.
Each dish met with universal approval.
Side dishes, which are very
necessary as the mains do not stand
alone, are extras (again, marginally
annoying).
In some ways, assessing
the Cloche Hat is difficult. Whereas
the food
is
undoubtedly good, there is clearly
a pretentious air about the
establishment while the level and
type of service is unlikely to
be to
everybody's taste. The preponderance
of positive reviews has clearly
been
good for trade. Nevertheless, the
overwhelming impression is that
the
whole experience is seriously overpriced.
Including wine, three courses
and the tip, the cost was £50
per head. A number of restaurants
in Surrey
have improved considerably over
the past two years. As a result,
the
quality of food available at the
Cloche Hat is easily matched elsewhere
at
a more reasonable price and, often,
can be enjoyed in a superior setting.
Therefore, whilst it is unfair
to be overly critical of the Cloche
Hat, I
left feeling rather like the chap
who has driven off the lot in a
quite
adequate and reliable VW but had
paid Mercedes prices for it.
Cloche Hat
Burrow Hill
Chobham
Surrey
GU24 8QS
Tel 01276 858000
Fax 01276 857597
http://www.clochehat.co.uk
