The Eight Bells - Carta

The Pass

➤ Brighton Road, Horsham, United Kingdom

Carta • Vegan • British • European • Vegetarian

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"Dinner at The Pass by Ben Wilkinson It is located in South Lodge, one of the finest country house hotels in Sussex. The kitchen is run by Ben and his partner Monika Zurawska, who leads the front of house team. The Pass is a small space, with a large glass wall that stands between the restaurant and the kitchen. An intimate restaurant, offering a unique dining experience for up to 28 diners. You sit at the high topped tables to watch Ben and his young team prepare and then proudly serve a seven course tasting menu. The meal starts with a complimentary glass of fizz and a selection of tasty snacks. The first course is a scallop dish with hokkaido squash, espelette pepper,coppa ham almond. The next course was a show stopper of a Celeriac dish like no other we have ever encountered. Royale beef cheek hen of the woods truffle with a beef fillet smoked emulsion tartlet on the side. As well as a glass of broth with fresh bread and cultured butter. The rest of the courses arrive in quick succession, delivered by chefs who explain each component. Day Boat Turbot,leeks squid dulse white asparagus, Ridgeview sparkling. Venison,roast loin liver dumpling bitter leaves hazelnut artichoke redwine. A course of 3 cheeses. Desserts were Rhubarb,ewe's milk curd rose yoghurt. Chocolate Délice,caramel hazelnut raisin. Just when you thought it was all over, there was a selection of Petit Fours with a sorbet on the side. There's not many hotels that can boast three award winning restaurants, of which this is their flagship. That has just retained its Michelin Star. The food was faultless with staff, charming,and professional."

The Half Moon Warninglid

➤ The Half Moon The Street, RH17 5TR, Mid Sussex, United Kingdom

Carta • Pub • Vegan • British • Vegetarian

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"Went for lunch mid walk with backpacks. We sat down to eat and were joined by one more so I pulled over another chair. The landlord came and said if I broke the chair (I'm 50k) Id have to pay for it. I had moved a chair from one table outside to another wooden bench one. The food was ok to good, the girls serving were lovely. They should take over! A couple of weeks later I called in again with a friend and backpacks assume they think we are not locals and therefore don't care. Again rudeness as he patrolled the garden checking we weren't there just to use the loos. He needs to focus his energy on better customer service and pr. The few locals he's on side with may not be continuing forever."

Hare And Hounds Cowfold

➤ Henfield Road, Cowfold, United Kingdom

Carta • Fish • Wine • Coffee • British

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"I went for lunch with a friend on a Saturday, but some items were unavailable because the pub was waiting for a delivery. The waitress was lovely, but unfortunately, she didn't know what the specials were. We both ordered burgers, which were tasty, but the portions were too large for the boards they were served on. It would be great if they could start using plates again. The coleslaw came in a small ramekin and contained only two teaspoons. My friend, who can only eat dairy-free foods, couldn't have dessert because there was no cheesecake available. Additionally, the menus looked dirty, and the outdoor area was unkempt. Overall, it was quite disappointing."

Heritage By Matt Gillan

➤ The Chequers, RH17 6AQ Slaugham, United Kingdom

Carta • Fish • Terrace • European • Ice Cream

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"I booked a table as a late birthday gift for my fiancée. We had read so many positive reviews of Heritage and being local we were keen to visit. The welcome was lovely and we enjoyed a couple of glasses of local sparkling wine in the bar before being shown to our table. We opted for the classic lunch 5-course tasting menu with an accompanying cocktail flight and non-alcoholic flight for the designated driver. The food is truly exceptional, from the flavour-bomb snacks at the beginning of the meal, the starter of pressed duck terrine, a perfectly cooked trout dish that melted in the mouth, pork loin and belly that were just transcendent, a pre desert of strawberries, courgette and balsamic that just worked so well to one of the best deserts of Elderflower I have ever had the pleasure to enjoy. Food was presented and explained, as were the accompanying drinks. Everything was simply perfect."

Ockenden Manor Spa The

➤ Ockenden LaneWest Sussex RH17 5LD, Cuckfield, United Kingdom

Carta • Tea • Wine • European • Vegetarian

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"light experience in a beautiful room with attentive staff. the salmon starter for lunch was good, but the black pudding was excellent: balanced, rich aromas and textures, all very cleverly presented. the sweet with the netzen was especially well thought out and executed the venison and ochse wange superb, delicate with a real taste depth. the main cable burr was bright and the warm vegetarian option the red with green and a goat cheese mousse with roasted mandel was a special joy. very good chocolate cake with stuffed pears, ice on a crumb. this was a great combination of aromas and textures, although my preference for more of a gans than a mousse consistency would have been. there is so much love for detail in every element of the meal, until the type of baked chosen for the fall of the chocolate cake. excellent for a special occasion. when they are on a budget, they go to lunch instead of dinner, as it is (very right) expensive."