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The Glasshouse Restaurant, Pikes Hill, Lyndhurst – Review By Shelagh Davies

When we were invited to attend the official launch of The Glasshouse Restaurant in Lyndhurst (our local New Forest Town) on behalf of Dine-Online, we were happy to accept, remarking upon the coincidence that, rather ironically, we had already dined there several weeks before the launch.

It was an evening event, and the weather was warm and calm. Greeted by Fiona Johnson, Group Sales and Marketing Manager of the four establishments which make up the New Forest Hotels group, we were invited to make our way down to the cellar bar of the Forest Lodge Hotel and in the process were waylaid by Matt Magee, the Restaurant Manager, generously brandishing a large and glistening bottle of champagne. We sipped, as more guests arrived and ‘nibbles’ were offered by young and cheerful waitresses. Shortly afterwards we were summoned upstairs and outside into the welcome cool evening air. There we attached labels bearing our names to colourful balloons - these we released on the count of ten and the guests watched as they floated up into the clear blue sky. The first balloon to be discovered will earn the finder a free meal at the restaurant, and the person to whom the balloon was assigned will, likewise, be awarded a free meal.

Canapes were then circulated, some of which we had sampled as starters during our previous visit to the restaurant. Seared scallops on pumpkin puree with chilli salsa was rather special. The sweetness of the pumpkin combined with the fresh flavour of the scallop was given a wonderful zing by the accompanying chilli salsa. Six different canapes were offered, all in attractive little white china dishes. Green Thai fennel, courgette and sweet potato curry was delicious, as was the Ticklemore goat’s cheese and spinach tortellini with sage pine nut pesto. Two dessert canapes followed and all the while Matt Magee and his staff kept the guests’ champagne flutes filled.

A well-orchestrated launch and an enjoyable occasion. No doubt the best of the New Forest weather helped and the guests all appeared to be enjoying themselves. As locals, we very much hope that the Glasshouse Restaurant is a great success and look forward to eating there in the future.

But, we have one major grumble. Both at the launch, and on the evening when we – a party of eight – dined there, we found the restaurant uncomfortably hot, as was the cellar bar. Hopefully the management will be able to mitigate this, perhaps by installing air-conditioning. It would be such a shame if this isn’t dealt with. Since we are approaching autumn, it is possible that this may not be an issue until next summer and we look forward to eating at the Glasshouse Restaurant again.

Shelagh Davies, September 2007

The Glasshouse, Pikes Hill, Lyndhurst, New Forest SO43 7AS
Open 12:00 – 14:00pm and 19:00 – 21:30pm
Reservations: 023 8028 6129

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