The Bay Hotel, Lyme Regis (From Dorset Echo)

The Bay Hotel, Lyme Regis

10:30am Thursday 8th April 2010 in Restaurant Reviews By Adrianne Maslen

I HAD been meaning to try the new bistro restaurant at Lyme’s Bay Hotel since it opened last year, and had the perfect opportunity when visitors came to stay.

The seafront restaurant was formerly home to a Thai restaurant, which closed last year to make way for the bistro under new owners.

We had an early booking and were one of the first to arrive for the evening’s service, and were given a warm welcome by the waiter who took our coats and showed us to a table at the window.

The location alone gives the restaurant top marks, with undisturbed views across Lyme Bay and full advantage is taken of this by the expansive patio doors across the front of the building.

The décor was stylish and contemporary and the menu original and elegant, plus an extensive specials board with fresh fish of the day. There was something to suit every taste, from fish and meat, to game and vegetarian options.

The wine list was also comprehensive and we chose a Chenin Blanc at £13.95 a bottle.

For starters, my companions both chose the scallops from the specials board. They were wrapped in bacon and served with a crouton in a Madeira sauce. The scallops were sweet, moist and cooked to a turn, the smoky bacon helped the sweetness, the crispy crouton added another dimension to the dish and the sauce rounded it off perfectly.

For our main course, one companion chose the lemon sole, stuffed with prawns, served with a lobster and muscle sauce and fresh muscles.

The fish was light with a delicate flavour and was thoroughly enjoyed.

My other companion went for the monkfish tails wrapped in Parma ham served with a garlic, white wine and thyme sauce, also on the specials board. The monkfish was fresh and tasty and beautifully presented.

I went for medallions of Devon pork layered with Parma ham, sage and Parmesan in a Mediterranean style tomato, garlic and basil sauce.

It was a delicious creamy dish packed with flavour and textures.

There was barely enough room for dessert so I went for plain and simple ice cream and had a delicious clotted cream vanilla and strawberry with real fruit.

One companion had the praline crème brulee served with fresh fruit (£4.95), which she said was light and creamy.

* The Bay Hotel Bistro, Marine Parade, Lyme Regis – call 01297 442059.

The bill

Scallops (x2): £15.90

Pork fillet: £10.50

Lemon sole: £13.95

Monkfish tails: £12.50

Ice cream: £4.95

Creme brulee: £4.95

Btle Chenin Blanc: £13.95

3 pints lager: £8.40

TOTAL:: £85.10