The Spread Eagle Hotel & Spa - The Restaurant

We had spa treatments lined up for the afternoon and lunch with a glass of bubbles was included in the package. We were shown to our table and given menus and a wine list. With lunch being part of the package I had to leave my seat and check with the maitre de as to what was actually included rather than being advised when seated. With the option of two courses each, I went for starters and main and my wife went for main and desert. I chose the crispy Parma ham with poached egg followed by the Moroccan Lamb and my wife chose the herb gnocchi followed by the Creole fruit salad. Not much could criticised about my starter other than the poached egg was over cooked but my Moroccan Lamb was far from Moroccan. The lamb sat on a bed of plain couscous surrounded by grilled peppers, courgette and aubergine which were described as Provençal but there was no hint of tomato to be found. The lamb was plain with no hint of any spices. I question the term “Moroccan Lamb”. The herby gnocchi appeared to be fried and tasted more like a bland bubble and squeak. The lemon mascarpone was ok. Finally, the “Creole fruit salad” was nothing more than pineapple and orange segments with some coconut shavings and a scoop of vanilla ice cream. We even found pips left in some of the orange segments. All in all a very disappointing and lack lustre lunch but thankfully the treatments were good.

Really disappointing experience from start to finish. Service was poor from arriving and then the waitress decided to clear the table half way through eating we never did see her again, and ended up going to reception to pay the bill. We are not fussy eaters but I am cautious of what I eat so had checked the menu out online, the menu in the restaurant did not have any of the choices advertised online and actually left me with no choice but to skip starters and main course and have a cheese board with a glass of wine (to be honest more than happy with this option) but definitely overpriced much like the rest of the menu. The atmosphere was boring and although the weather was nice it was unclear if we could eat outside, something I wish I had asked. We were celebrating our wedding anniversary, and thought this would be a special place to go but unfortunately left feeling very disappointed wont be returning

We love Midhurst this beautiful hotel have dined here several times. We 'll probably choose somewhere else next time tho as the food served in the Restaurant is overpriced for lunches. £19 for a main course is fine, providing you get top quality good sized portions, but not when you get average quality tiny portions. Around £6-8 for starters dessert is too high too, which is why we didn 't have either, especially after seeing what was coming out for other diners. Just tiny portions for the money. Even when you factor in the surroundings service, which is fine but not silver service incidentally (nor do they advertise it as such) I appreciate costs are rising for everyone that a balance has to be struck but feel that its tipped slightly against the customer here. The old bar is magnificent, but under-utilised, if that was open for drinks less expensive lunchtime snacks we 'd certainly give that another go, but the Restaurant isn 't for us anymore, sorry.

The food and service was first class, the food presentation and taste amazing. We ate for lunch and dinner, the staff were friendly and couldn’t do enough for you. Thoroughly enjoyed it!

Midhurst is about 20 minutes by car away for us so it's local by road but not walkable. We haven't eaten here for years and were enticed back with an online deal. It didn't seem to have changed much in all the years! We went on a Monday and there weren't many other diners but lots of people were using the Spa so that bodes well for this well heeled country town eatery. The food good with flashes of brilliance such as the pulled meat over the Yorkshire pudding. Classic coq au vin was well flavoured and tasty but we both commented on the cut of meat I guess you get used to what you think of coq au vin!! Cheeseboard needed an overhaul or at least an introduction to what the cheese were. Other than that, service was good. We had coffee in the bar/lounge area, trying to get near the fire on a cold day but the fireside tables were reserved for early afternoon teas which was a shame. The conservatory would have been a better place to sit so we shall remember that when we come again.