IT might be one of Bournemouth’s most historic landmarks, but the 1812 restaurant at The Royal Exeter Hotel is always bang up to date when it comes to its cuisine.

The menu has just been completely revamped to incorporate as much local and seasonal produce as possible.

To get to the restaurant, which offers fine-dining brasserie style, you have to walk through the bar where there is a real party atmosphere.

There is a lively ambience in the restaurant too, which is tastefully furnished with dark wood, chocolate browns and deep reds.

We were met by a friendly waitress, who showed us to our table and left us to study the menu whilst nibbling on some warm, buttered bread rolls and a selection of olives.

To drink I had a Horwick Hall Cooler, which is one of the restaurant’s homemade alcohol-free cocktails made with Earl Grey tea syrup, peach puree, lemon juice and ginger ale – it was sweet and refreshing.

For my first course I had four scallops, which were beautifully presented and served with a butternut squash puree and sprinkled with lightly toasted pine nuts.

My son had the Dorset snails, which were served on a melt in the mouth buttery garlic flan with a parsley sauce.

For my main course I had one of my all time favourites, beef Wellington, which is one of the few dishes that has remained on the menu, although it has been tweaked to include braised cabbage and a port jus.

The pastry and the beef were perfectly cooked – it was so good I just had to get the recipe afterwards, please see panel right.

Meanwhile my husband was making short work of his sirloin steak, which came with triple cooked chips, red onion and tomato salad and a choice of leek and red pepper sauce or pink peppercorn and shallot butter.

My son’s 1812 burger from the children’s menu was immense – he only managed to eat half of it.

For dessert we shared an apple tarte tatin which tasted as good as it looked and was served with mixed spice ice cream – an inspired combination.

Although it is quite pricey, 1812 is a good choice for a special occasion if you’re looking for fine food, good location and a lively atmosphere.

THE BILL

Horwick Hall Cooler: £3.50

Fresh bread and olives: £1.50 per person

Scallops: £7.95

Dorset snails: £5.95

Beef Wellington: £21.95

Steak: £18.95

Apple tart tartin: £6.75

 

RATINGS BOARD (out of five)

Location: four stars

Atmosphere five stars

Value for money: four and a half stars

Quality of food: four stars

Service: five stars

Comfort: five stars

Family friendly: four stars

Menu choice: four stars

Overall rating: four stars Total: £66.55