Lunch In Out - Carte

Renoufs Cheese and Wine Restaurant

➤ 48a Poole Road Bournemouth, Dorset BH4 9DZ, United Kingdom

Carte • Wine • Beer • Tapas • Gourmet

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"We had called-here for drinks during a previous visit to Bournemouth. We were impressed with the wine we drank, and the food that we saw served to other customers. So, today was the realisation of a promise that we made-to-ourselves to revisit and, this time, dine! We were a few-minutes early for our 19:30 reservation having allowed too-much time for our half-a-mile walk from our hotel. The restaurant was not busy, and there were scant customers during our 2½ hour stay. There was only one, very pleasant, member of staff in the bar/dining area. We had assumed he was the Manager, and he did everything: menus, drinks, food orders, food service, and payment. He did this pleasantly with good humour, plus impressive efficiency and knowledge. The food here is principally ‘Sharing Boards’ but also available were smaller (snack) servings of Artisan Cheese and Charcuterie and other “Nibbles”. We chose an ‘Ultimate Board’ (intended for two people sharing and costing £36.95 in total). Within this price you select four types of charcuterie plus four types of cheese to complete the board. Drinks: we started with a 175ml glass of “Martin Codax Albariño” for each of us. The extensive and impressive wine list offers a good selection available by the 175 or 250ml glass: 6 white wines, 3 rosé wines, 9 red wines, 3 sparkling wines and 9 aperitif/digestif wines. The Albariño was very much enjoyed, whist we decided which bottle of wine we would have with our meal. After much thought we chose a bottle of Bin 31 ‘Laibach (Sur Lie) Stellenbosch’; a white wine from what is a great wine-producing region in South Africa. This was superbly delicate and gently flavoured; with the very slight effervescence from the ‘Sur Lie’ fermentation method (fermentation on the lees). We know this method well from Sur Lie Muscadet wines, from the Sèvre-et-Maine region in France. With our wine chosen, we concentrated on the charcuterie and fromage that we would like with our ‘Ultimate Board’. There was much debate between us, but eventually: Our choices of charcuterie were: Salami Milano: with a perfumed scent that was such a delight. Pâté: quite fine but rich and flavoursome. Venison Salami: surprising and just superb. Smoked Pancetta: we loved this delicately smoked pork belly which was served in the thinnest slices imaginable. The cheese was far more difficult to choose: A Cheddar was a no-brainer and it was good; however we have ‘Vintage’ Cheddar at home (aged for 36-60 months); so the Cheddar here was a bit tame for our tastes. Oak Smoked Lincolnshire Poacher: this was very disappointing as half of the piece was totally inedible rind, and the rest was almost impossible to cut with the cheese-knife provided. I brought this to the attention of the Manager this was exchanged with more of the Cheddar. Northern Blue: good and creamy and appreciably tangy. We had another cheese which was firm and good eating, but we cannot recall it’s name (that’s our fail then). To be honest, and sadly, we found the cheese to be not anywhere as good as the charcuterie, we like mostly hard, or at least firm cheese, with strong flavours. Brie, Camembert and other soft cheeses rarely feature at our home (the somewhat explains our choices). The board was loaded with extra ingredients: a good selection of salad and fruit: cream cheese stuffed cherry tomatoes, lovely crunchy astringent cornichon, fresh grapes and pitted olives. There was also a pot of hummus, onion relish, cheese crackers, and a basket of bread (the latter of which we ordered a second). The meal was still a very favourable experience; made better by the extra cornichon provided. Just because I said how much I loved the texture and flavour of these wonderful ‘little gherkins’. After our board we were quite replete and there was no-way we could have managed a dessert, but an extra glass of Viognier for my Partner, and a wonderful 10-year-old Tawny Port for myself, finished-off the meal splendidly."

Bentos

➤ Noble House 8-10 Yelverton Road, BH1 1DF, Bournemouth, United Kingdom

Carte • Asian • Curry • Korean • Chicken

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"This cozy restaurant offers tasty dishes made with fresh ingredients. The bibimbap, topped with a fried egg, was filled with delicious and crunchy vegetables and kimchi. Everything was prepared right in front of us. The quality of the food was excellent and well worth the price. The dishes were flavorful, delicious, and fresh."

Twelve Eatery

➤ 12 The Triangle, BH2 5RY, Bournemouth, United Kingdom

Carte • Juice • Vegan • Vegetarian • Gluten Free

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"Twelve was recommend to me by a number of local vegans for somewhere to eat rather than the hotel I was staying in. This is probably not only the best vegan restaurant I’ve eaten in, but probably in the top handful of restaurants I’ve ever used over the past 30 years. The ethos and care that has clearly gone into the menu is evident and the place has a nice laid back, refined feel. The menu choices is great with something for everyone with reasonable sized portions. The fact that nearly everything is home made and not bought in processed food is clear this is a really good restaurant. Full marks to the staff at Twelve for an innovative restaurant that’s serves damn good food."

Westbourne Grill House

➤ 127 Poole Rd, Westbourne, Bournemouth BH4 9BG, United Kingdom

Carte • Wine • Grill • Steak • Desserts

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"We have been looking for the perfect steak since we moved to the area. We also like to eat locally sourced food. We also like a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. We also like to support independent businesses whenever we can. Westbourne Grill House completely exceeded our expectations. The menu has so many wonderful dishes on it but for our first visit, we tried the sirloin and the fillet. Both were cooked to perfection and beautifully presented. Nice and succulent and the sides come as standard, which you can change if you wish. Really recommend the Ribshack Red Pinotage-Shiraz to accompany the steaks. Very enjoyable! We are looking forward to returning and trying other things on the menu, although it's going to be hard not to choose the steaks again!"

Social Grill

➤ 9-11 Sea Road, Boscombe, Bournemouth, BH51DH, BH5 1DD, United Kingdom

Carte • Grill • Coffee • British • Vegetarian

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"Absolutely love this place ...My husband myself found this little gem last year ....We pop in most weeks the food is amazing as is the service ...the portions are excellent we never leave feeling we have not had enough ...went in for a vegan breakfast was amazing all freshly made by the chef ..they also give the option of sour dough bread ....It also in my opinion does the best hot chocolate in Bournemouth with the option of vegan friendly milk ..All food is freshly made not out the freezer ...One word enjoy"