Newtown House Hotel is an 18th Century converted farmhouse with 28 bedrooms at Hayling Island. Their newly opened Il Giardino Restaurant with sumptuous surroundings and candlelit tables create a truly intimate atmosphere and sets the scene for what developed into a most enjoyable culinary experience. We visited the restaurant one cold and breezy wintry Thursday evening and were surprised to witness an almost full restaurant - word of mouth is starting to work - there is good food available here I thought!
A traditional four course a la carte menu was presented - 5 antipasti dishes, 5 Primi Piatti (first course) dishes and 4 Secondi Piatti (second course) dishes plus 5 Dolci (dessert) gives a very comprehensive range of Italian food - there is also a special children’s menu as well.
I shared an antipasti dish and my colleagues ordered squid with chilli aioli and grilled lemon - "very well cooked" they said. We decided to order a main course from the first and second course
menus - 7 hour slow roasted lamb was my choice, my colleagues ordered spaghetti tossed with crab, chilli garlic and Parmesan, gurnard fillet with tempura broccoli (delicious) and dry aged sirloin steak with garlic and herb roasted potatoes and wild mushrooms. Brilliant food was enjoyed with a bottle of Chianti. The portions were generous so only one of my colleagues ordered ice cream. I however wanted to sample Panettone Pudding - an Italian twist on a favourite of mine bread and butter pudding - it was really sweet and delicious. Coffees all round concluded a most enjoyable evening.
With attentive service and a very comprehensive wine list I can heartily recommend a visit to this family run hotel. I am sure I will take the trip over the bridge to this restaurant again - a welcome addition to a clutch of quality restaurants within the area. It may be advisable to call 023 9246 6131 in advance for a reservation though!