On the quest to suss out the best dinner spots for summer graduation, Editor Louise Hall and I took a trip to the picturesque quayside venue Hotel Du Vin & Bistro. Having had a peak at their website beforehand I had high expectations for a classy atmosphere and a sophisticated menu that would certainly put my usual student repertoire to shame. My expectations were exceeded on both counts.
Our expectations of sophistication were well and truly met here, the scallops coming beautifully presented in a shell. If you’re not afraid of getting your hands dirty I would definitely recommend the tiger prawns, which were wonderfully tender and came with an aioli dip to die for
As it was a Monday evening the restaurant area was a little quieter than is probably usual, but the peaceful atmosphere was very pleasant. The restaurant area was light and modern, while comfy armchairs and fireplaces in the entrance also gave it a warm, rustic feel. We sat by the window overlooking the outdoor terrace, which would be a lovely place to unwind on a summer evening with a glass of celebratory bubbly.
The menu had plenty of options without being overwhelming, and I was especially intrigued by the sharing platters, which our waitress recommended. We decided to try different dishes each to get a better feel of the menu, but on a future trip I would definitely have my eye on the charcuterie sharing board.
For starter Louise had the pan-fried scallops and I had tiger prawns. Our expectations of sophistication were well and truly met here, the scallops coming beautifully presented in a shell. If you’re not afraid of getting your hands dirty I would definitely recommend the tiger prawns, which were wonderfully tender and came with an aioli dip to die for.
Something that really stood out at this place was the portion sizes. We were expecting tiny, delicate courses but were pleasantly surprised to receive hearty main courses that actually ended up being a challenge to finish
After our seafood starters we were excited to see what the mains had to offer. Louise had a duck and chorizo cassoulet which smelled amazing and as with the starter, the presentation was impressive. I had the pork escalope which came with a fried egg, anchovies and capers. I was curious to try this as I’d never heard of that combination of ingredients before, but they all tasted lovely together. I would definitely recommend this dish if you’re up for trying something a little different.
Something that really stood out at this place was the portion sizes. We were expecting tiny, delicate courses but were pleasantly surprised to receive hearty main courses that actually ended up being a challenge to finish. The menu did have lighter options for those that prefer those smaller portions, but our appetites that evening were very grateful for the heaping plates we were presented with.
Thankfully we weren’t too full to sample the delicious crème brulee for dessert. A crowd favourite that certainly didn’t disappoint, my only regret was that I was too full to finish it all.
In terms of price, Hotel Du Vin sits about where you would expect for an up-market Bistro, with most mains sitting between £12-20, but you do get so much high-quality food for your money, making it worth splashing out for an occasion. For graduation this summer they are also offering a deal with three courses and a glass of champagne for £37.50.
If you’re after a classy atmosphere, hearty but sophisticated food (with prime Instagramable presentation), and lovely quayside views, I would definitely recommend Hotel Du Vin this graduation.
