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Newell

Dorset, Sherborne - French - Restaurant with rooms - ££

Personally run French bistro offering outstanding value

Overall Rating: Good

Uniqueness:Does the establishment stand out in the context of the local area? Very Good

Deliciousness:How delicious is the food? Very Good

Warmth:How warm is the service and the hospitality in general? Good

Strength of recommendation:How enthusiastically and widely would you recommend the establishment? Good

The latest offering from Paul Merrony, who may be familiar to Guide readers from his time at the Giaconda Dining Room (RIP) in Soho, this singular enterprise operates as a French bistro with five letting rooms upstairs. With help from Tracey Petersen, the chef has developed Newell on a shoestring and there’s a refreshing, dated honesty about its plain light-wood tables, pink napkins, dark-green walls and grandma’s sideboards. Everyone mentions the chef’s dedication to seasonal produce and, above all, the outstanding value for money: you can get three courses for under £30 if you steer clear of the supplements. The menu is scribbled on a blackboard, a modest line-up of classic French bistro staples, all ‘well-prepared, lusciously flavoured and beautifully presented,’ according to one fan of the place. Come here for bowls of cold vichyssoise, ham hock terrine with ox tongue, gigot of lamb with dauphinoise potatoes or ‘excellent’ cod proven...

The latest offering from Paul Merrony, who may be familiar to Guide readers from his time at the Giaconda Dining Room (RIP) in Soho, this singular enterprise operates as a French bistro with five letting rooms upstairs. With help from Tracey Petersen, the chef has developed Newell on a shoestring and there’s a refreshing, dated honesty about its plain light-wood tables, pink napkins, dark-green walls and grandma’s sideboards. Everyone mentions the chef’s dedication to seasonal produce and, above all, the outstanding value for money: you can get three courses for under £30 if you steer clear of the supplements.

The menu is scribbled on a blackboard, a modest line-up of classic French bistro staples, all ‘well-prepared, lusciously flavoured and beautifully presented,’ according to one fan of the place. Come here for bowls of cold vichyssoise, ham hock terrine with ox tongue, gigot of lamb with dauphinoise potatoes or ‘excellent’ cod provençal. Also look out for seasonal specials, the game of the day and the occasional Italian intruder such as crab risotto. Desserts offer a hotchpotch of Gallic classics: rum baba, iced nougat, cherry mousse, mimosa, chocolate truffle cake and various fruit tarts.

Tracey Petersen is a congenial host with bags of local knowledge, and plenty of care has been lavished on the 60-bin wine list, which kicks off at £23 for an easy-drinking ‘Le Lesc’, Côtes de Gascogne. Glasses of kir and shots of Ricard are there for the taking too.

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VENUE DETAILS

Greenhill
Sherborne
Dorset
DT9 4EPGB

01935 710386

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OTHER INFORMATION

Accommodation, Private dining room, No background music

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