Review: Alistair Sawday's Special Places 09 October, 2009
Having been taken over by ex-executive head chef Giles Thompson, it's no surprise this is a snappy performer,from it's upbeat remodelling to the simple handling of excellent ingredients that tick all the right local and seasonal boxes.
There are views over the South Downs from terrace and dining area, and lots of sepia prints of old racing cars and aircraft. It's a cleanlined,fashionable space with a positively cosmopolitan vibe;modern leather seating in the bar quarter and high-backed suede chairs in the dining area. Bolstered by specials (there's also a seperate bar and terrace menu- delicious sausage,mash and onion gravy), the up tempo dining roster delivers the likes of seasonal game, or fresh seafood in the summer-pan fried fillet of sea bass served with crushed new potatoes, wilted spinach and sauce verge.
