Food review: The Oaks restaurant and pub in Highcliffe
WITH the launch of its autumn menu featuring seasonal favourites, family-friendly pub and restaurant The Oaks in Highcliffe is a great place to spend chilly days and dark evenings cosying up with a hearty meal.
We dined there on a Saturday when the place was abuzz with families and dog walkers, taking a table in the colourful conservatory area. A fusion of wood and lush green shades creating a botanical, enchanting vibe, the restaurant was flooded with natural light and adorned with trailing foliage.
Most of the tables look out on to the vast outdoor terrace, complete with gazebo, heated beach huts, charming festoon lighting and garden games for the kids.
We were informed by manager Jack Halford that three new cocktails had recently been added to the drinks list, two of which we ordered while we perused the menu.
I opted for the Amalfi martini, a mix of Limoncello, dry vermouth, Tanqueray gin, lemon juice, egg white and sugar syrup. The Italian-inspired cocktail had a nice strong kick to it and a beautifully sweet tang from the citrus.
The subtle earthy taste of the gin did well to balance out the syrup and lemon tartness.
My mum chose the pineapple margarita, made up of tequila, Cointreau, pineapple juice, lime and ginger syrup, which she described as wonderfully sharp and refreshing.
A tropical twist on the crowd-pleasing classic, the sweet pineapple countered the acid from the lime, making for a winning combination.
As we sat soaking up the lively, yet relaxed atmosphere, it was very apparent The Oaks was extremely popular. Families and friends dined happily together and contented dogs lounged around the cosy bar area at the feet of their owners, who enjoyed a well-earned post-walk drink.
Manager Jack has made huge efforts to place the venue at the heart of the community, and has clearly built a great reputation.
For me what really stood out was how welcoming the space was for families. Parents could relax and enjoy a drink and chat while their kids happily occupied themselves with activity books and crayons supplied by staff, and there was abundant space in the garden for them to explore and enjoy the outdoor games on offer.
Many parents would say it is not always easy to dine out with children – to find a restaurant that genuinely welcomes kids as opposed to just claiming to can be tricky.
And it’s not just about facilities – it’s a feeling you get as a parent. It’s hard to determine what makes a truly great family-friendly restaurant, but whatever it is, The Oaks has it.
Keen to enjoy a classic autumnal dish, I had ordered the eight-hour slow cooked shoulder of Highland venison in Grand Veneur sauce, with root veg and mash.
The ultimate heritage, free-range meat, the venison had unparalleled tenderness and was packed with bold, savoury flavours countered by the sweet notes of blackberries, cherry apple, and chocolate in the sauce.
The dish brought together the best of the season’s ingredients, and in my opinion you’d be hard pushed to find a more comforting and harmonious dish this autumn.
My mum had selected the Loomswood Farm duck breast with dauphinoise, wild mushrooms and green beans in a madeira sauce.
The meat was cooked medium-rare, plump and juicy and still a pleasing rosy-pink on the inside. The taste was great, I was reliably informed, rich and bold flavoured with a sweet sauce to counteract.
That most decadent of side dishes, the creamy dauphinoise potatoes also proved a great accompaniment.
My dessert was a cheese platter – a selection of French soft ripened Coulommiers, Westcombe cheddar, tangy, ash coated goat’s cheese Couronne Cendree, raclette-style cheese Ogleshield, and Shropshire Blue with its strong sharp flavours.
These were served alongside crackers, sourdough, grapes, apple and a dollop of quince jelly. Paired with a glass of Cotes du Rhone, it was a delightful end to the meal.
My mum opted for a Bramley apple and blackberry crumble, with Normandy creme fraiche, and a very generous helping it was, too.
Simple but totally satisfying, the dish boasted that gloriously crunchy, buttery oat topping, and a bubbling fruit compote that had just the right balance of sweet and tart.
With its joyful atmosphere, warm service and hearty autumn dishes, The Oaks is the ideal place to relax and indulge on chilly days.
To book a table, visit oakshighcliffe.com or call 01425 283377.
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