Zodiac Restaurant at Hanbury Manor

OK so I was here in July with my other half and we enjoyed it, was a little disappointed by one or two things as you can read in my previous review but a couple of friends were getting married in Fanhams Hall and to be honest, I would rather sleep in the car than stay there, so we opted for Hanbury, we figured that it was better the devil you know. We decided to make a weekend of it and came down on the saturday, friends getting married on Sunday, so you know a days R&R.

ok where to start, first off I have no idea what has happened since July, seems like there must be a change in management. Arrived at reception with the bags, a really pleasant bloke offered to take the my bags AND park my car for me, much obliged mate off you go. Got to the desk, bit of a queue and was offered a hot chocolate by a lady who im guessing was the manager by some of the looks she was giving the receptionists and the porters, really nice woman, chatting asking us about our stay, didn't even notice the wait. So off we went to the room, had a fresjen up and had awalk around. Went down to the lobby area, oaks hall and the afternoon tea looked good, im not sure what has happened to the service here but it was first rate, and miles and miles better than the last visit in July. The tea was really good and didnt mind parting with the 40 quid for two. We hada look at the zodiac menu and it was a different one from the last time and we thought wed give it a go again.

All I can say is F*&% me!!! we were blown away. The service was bloody marvelous, the manager was in white blow tie and tails, french bloke, camp as christmas and funny as hell, the waiters were in dinner suits and the poor b*&^%ds carry the food on HUGE silver trays back and forth from the kitchen were in white jackets and gold buttons. Im not joking it was great, the other half was happy as well, she loves people watching and was in here element with all the elegance. You know it was so completely and totally different to our last visit that it was like a new restaurant. The food was good but to be honest the whole thing was the service, it was like going tot he theatre. The french bloke was mincing up and down like a pavorotti, tails flapping, chatting to people, it was classic. the best night i've had in a while. Our waiter, a young indian guy was first class, in fact every one of the staff were so friendly and helpful. Later on in the evening another bloke in tails came through, english, posh, lots of marbles, very nice guy, walked around the restaurant chatting to people, the other half thought he might have been the boss by the way the others started to buzz around. LOL just reading back through my review, it's more like a theatre review than a dinner review. Im going to leave it. You know what, book a table, take the wife for a treat, its pure theatre and you'll leave the place thinking that youve just had dinner in another world. Absolutely bloody brilliant.

PS, one last little story. I got a lost looking for the toilets and ended up nearly crashing a party. I bumped into the senior bloke in the tails and asked him where they were, youre never going to believe it, if he didnt actually bring me to the flippin toilets! certainly sir please follow me! Sometimes service can be TOO good!! ;-)

I agree with the other reviewer. This retaurant has no idea what it is trying to be. I have a feeling, based on the prices it thinks that two AA Rosettes are similar to two Michelin stars!!

Food is ok but be warned!! Have your dinner before you go to Dinner!! The portions are minute! I was ravenous when I got home! Very disappointed because dinner for two with wine was the guts of £200. Not good value at all. I'd have preferred a little more pomp and ritual for that price.

The hotel is gorgeous though and restaurant itself is beautiful. Restaurant manager was very nice, all decked out in White tie and tails. He was very charming in a very posh sort of way.

Overall very expensive for what you get

This restaurant is very confused, they're not quite sure what they are. Are they fine dining, manor house dining or french brasserie with a twist.

The food is very good, its simple, well cooked, nice combination of flavours and well presented. The service on the other hand! Not quite sure what theyre aiming at here, its a bit all over the place. I was expecting a bit of formality to be honest, you know the story, country manor house, 2 rosettes, dress up for dinner etc etc. What we got was mid range fawlty towers trying to be Maxims, they got it all wrong. The staff are pleasant enough.

The atmosphere is dire, bright lights, no music, all you hear is clinking of knives and forks from other diners. You can also hear the other conversations if you're of that mind. We were pretty concious that we could be overheard so we spoke just above a whisper throughout the whole meal, not the most pleasant way to spend dinner!

All in all the food saved it, but they really need to decide what they're trying to achieve ambience wise. This is what lets it down. The room is beautiful and hanbury manor, whilst a bit tired also has a lot of character.

Nice food overall,
Starter: I ordered terrine of fois gras, enjoyed it to start with, enjoyed the port flavor, but suddenly got to a big lump of fat, I was not too impressed.
Loved my main course, steak fillet, it was properly cooked, nice piece of meat with some mash and cheese gaufrette on top, simple nice food.
Enjoyed dessert, chocolate mousse was delicious but unfortunately I think the coconut ice cream was not home made.

Staffs are very polite and knowledgeable.
I will try again.