Welcome to el Gourmet  online

El Gourmet is a fully interactive new online restaurant guide aimed at the discerning food lover who is looking for a special fine dining experience within the Dorset and Hampshire region. We aim to introduce you to a gastronomic experience on your doorstep, whilst enticing you to travel further a field in search of the best food in the area.You will find exclusive restaurants that offer the best in food, ambiance and service, as well that extra little something that can only be found in establishments that put quality at the top of their agenda. Whether you’re looking for a small intimate dining room or a bustling restaurant, el Gourmet offers the best fine dining experience your area has to offer.

Look out for the Editor’s Review on selected restaurants and Featured restaurants of the month. Once you have tried and tested these fabulous restaurants you also have the opportunity to come back and tell us your personal review! This will be featured onto the site so that fellow connoisseur‘s can share your dining experience.


Events of 2009
el Gourmet is a supporter of Dorset Food Week and were at the Romsey Show at Broadlands Park on the 12th September 2009 and the Feast of Dorset show at Deans Court in Wimborne on the 19th and 20th September 2009.

We also sponsored Screen Bites at over 19 venues on the 8th-31st October 2009 and Mark Hix’s exclusive Kitchen Table where he invited a select few individuals to share his culinary secrets once a month from September through to December.


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Branksome Beach Restaurant and Terrace Bar

With a sea view from every table, Branksome Beach offers a superb fine dining experience right on the beach at Branksome Chine. Locally sourced seasonal produce, skilfully crafted into mouth watering and inventive dishes and served in a relaxed environment, Branksome Beach has rightly achieved an enviable reputation for food and service.

T. +44 (0) 1202 767235      

W. http://www.branksomebeach.co.uk      

A. Pinecliff Road, Branksome Chine, Poole, BH13 6LP

Zen Garden at Senspa

This authentic Thai restaurant is located at the SenSpa, and offers a relaxed and friendly dining experience.

T. +44 (0) 1590 623551      

W. http://www.careysmanor.com      

A. Careys Manor Hotel, Lyndhurst Road, Brockenhurst, Hampshire, SO42 7RH

Mortons House Hotel

Mortons House Hotel is an enchanting 16th century Elizabethan Manor house Hotel with award-winning restaurant.

T. +44 (0) 1929 480988      

E. stay@mortonshouse.co.uk      

W. http://www.mortonshouse.co.uk      

A. East Street, Corfe Castle, Dorset, BH20 5EE

Esseborne Manor

Esseborne, is a Victorian country house sitting high on the hill above the lovely Bourne Valley, and was for 80 years a private country retreat. Now it is a hotel and restaurant that manages to retain the homely feel whilst offering luxurious accommodation and first-class food.

T. +44 (0) 1264 736444      

E. info@esseborne-manor.co.uk      

W. http://www.esseborne-manor.co.uk      

A. Hurstbourne Tarrant, Andover, Hampshire, SP11 0ER

The Lord Bute Hotel and Restaurant

The Lord Bute Hotel is nestled at the edge of the New Forest on the Dorset/Hampshire border, and was home to Lord Bute, the Prime Minister of England from 1762–1763. With Highcliffe Castle nearby, and the beautiful beaches that run all the way past Bournemouth to Sandbanks on the doorstep, the Lord Bute is an ideal place to stop and enjoy fine food and pleasant surroundings.

T. +44 (0) 1425 278884      

E. mail@lordbute.co.uk      

W. http://www.lordbute.co.uk      

A. 181-185 Lymington Road, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 4JS

The Trusty Servant Inn

The Trusty Servant is one of those hidden gems tucked away in a neat little community in the heart of the New Forest. The area is steeped in history and is even mentioned in the Domesday Book.

T. +44 (0) 2380 812137      

A. Minstead, Lyndhurst, Hampshire, SO43 7FY

Moonfleet Manor

Moonfleet Manor, overlooking the world famous Chesil Beach and the Fleet Lagoon, is set in the heart of some of England’s least discovered, yet most staggeringly beautiful countryside. This handsome Georgian manor presides over a naturally inspirational location of world heritage status.

T. +44 (0) 1305 786948      

W. http://www.moonfleetmanorhotel.co.uk      

A. Fleet Rd, Fleet, Weymouth, Dorset, DT3 4ED

The Gallery Restaurant at Audleys Wood Hotel

The stunning old dining hall of Audleys Wood Hotel creates a special atmosphere in which to enjoy a fine dining experience, and features the original vaulted ceiling – the perfect place to mark a special occasion or just for the pleasure of it. Part of Hand Picked Hotels, the grand surroundings of the magnificent country house serve as a fitting backdrop to the mouth-watering food served in The Gallery Restaurant.

T. +44 (0) 1256 817555      

E. audleyswood@handpicked.co.uk      

W. http://www.handpickedhotels.co.uk/audleyswood      

A. Alton Road, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG25 2JT

1812 Lounge

As with the architecture of this historic building, 1812 mixes the important traditional elements with more contemporary themes. This flows through to the menus, offering old century established cocktails balanced with an excellent range of new century drinks. Head chef Francis Baumer describes his food as: “Classically British/French cuisine with modern twists: Fine dining in a brassiere style. Our food is full of flavour and uses as much local produce as possible. I am very proud of our achievements so far, but we are always looking to push forward and raise our standards”. To compliment the menu, new and old world wines stand shoulder to shoulder to offer customers the best possible choice.

T. +44 (0) 1202 203050      

E. tables@eighteen-twelve.com      

W. http://eighteen-twelve.com      

A. The Royal Exeter Hotel, Exeter Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH2 5AG

Hotel du Vin & Bistro, Poole

One of the newest additions to the Hotel du Vin family of luxury boutique hotels, Hotel du Vin Poole is situated in the Former Mansion House, in close proximity to Poole Harbour, famous for its long boating tradition and spectacular natural beauty. Popular with both guests and locals Hotel du Vin and Bistro is proudly one of the finest restaurants in Poole.

T. +44 (0) 1202 785570      

W. http://www.hotelduvin.com      

A. Hotel du Vin & Bistro, Thames Street, The Quay, Poole, BH15 1JN