Lord Bute - Christchurch

Came here on a busy evening last week and was suitably impressed. The scallops and the potted crab were both fantastic, and we each had a fillet steak, which was also really tender and perfectly cooked. The waitress that served us was absolutely excellent, it was her second week working here and is just learning about the wines which I’m sure she will master! The house sommelier, however, gave us excellent advice. We will be back!

I came away from my recent visit to this lovely restaurant with some concern. For good reason, this has been a favourite venue for many years and locals are watching closely to see what a recent change of ownership will mean. Until my most recent meal here, I'd been encouraged that much remained the same, including excellent professional waiting staff. However, despite a price hike, the set-price lunch menu now offers a more limited choice, with two out of eight items being vegetarian/vegan and another two with cost supplements meaning they don't really belong on the table d'hote menu. My starter was the most disappointing start to a meal ever offered here; it was essentially a beige crab pate in a wine glass with just two tiny biscuits to accompany. My main course of roast turkey was as expected and I was happy to find that the Lord Bute continues to include traditional vegetables. However, this rather modest meal cost me £30-. With a better starter, appreciating my surroundings and excellent service, that would have been fine. But I did feel very slightly cheated. I understand the new owner will be aiming to achieve star rating at this venue and do hope that s/he has made the right calculations. The local residents have been very loyal to this restaurant. If a new focus alienates this custom-base, are there enough others who would visit the new version often enough for it to survive?

We’ve eaten Bradley Green’s food at Green’s Berkshire, which was flawless, Horse Groom Shoreditch, also flawless and the Polo Club which was “ok” but way too complex and our meal at the Polo for two was £485, which we have never got over, it was exquisitely presented though, looked too good to eat. Anyway, we had to try The Bute after following his career for so long. To our surprise he actually is there and clearly working in the kitchen, he walked by us several times we would have liked him to stop for a meet and greet but he did seem very busy so didn’t want to make pains of ourselves. Our friends are very local and had been before a long while ago. We had a mix of Celeriac Soup, Potted Crab and seared scallops to start and fillet steak all round for mains with the exception of a Turbot for myself. We then had the deconstructed pear and burnt orange cheesecake. Four foodies and all we could say at every course was “wow” with smiles. I have already reserved my birthday for 2024 and can’t wait to see the changes he makes. The inside does look a bit dated and the floor was a bit slippery when coming into the entrance the waiter nearly had to catch me, perhaps some carpeting there. Anyway, food and service was as we expected. Flawless.

Very glad that it is not closed contrary to public opinion! I’m so pleased that this place remains here and that the food and menu had a much-needed overhaul! I can see some people have written detailed reviews but i’m not much of a writer. I just wanted to say that my wife and I eat in lots of top-tier restaurants and the Lord Bute now stands 2nd to none! We are thrilled to have this top-notch restaurant on our doorstep once again!

The Lord Bute has always been “a name” here in Highcliffe, and we have been on at least six occasions over the last few years. Last time we came I believe we had venison which was simply dreadful which I did indicate at the time. We wanted to try the new incarnation under the new chef, but wanted to wait a couple months (my advice, never try something new in the first two months). We had Potted Crab, and Seared Scallops. The crab was delicious and my husband said the Scallops were the best he’d ever had. We had the Salmon Grenobloise and the roasted duck breast for main course which were also, I must say, flawless. We can now safely put the lord Bute back at the top of our dining list and look forward to bring friends back soon.