Situated on Belle Vue Road in Southbourne, Restaurant Roots is a quaint, relaxed restaurant with rotating tasting menus on offer. When visiting here, you'll be just around the corner from the sandy beaches of the glorious South Coast, and not only enjoy England's beauty, but incredible, flavour focused food with simple yet effective dishes.
The discovery menu begins with small nibbles of quails' egg with spinach, smoked almonds, and onion and Old Winchester cheese, along with watermelon paired with ginger and yuzu kosho. The hot and sour deluxe first plate is one of lobster with caviar and foie royale, and is followed by celeriac with truffle, grapes and hazelnut. A fresh catch of chalk stream trout is paired with buttermilk, chives, a small salad, grapefruit and arenkha, and joined by another fish dish – a massaman halibut curry with carrot and passion fruit.
You can add on an additional course of seared scallop with broccoli, sesame and wasabi, or head straight for the next course if you’ve had enough seafood. The Creedy Carver duck is served with Yorkshire forced rhubarb, beetroot and togarashi, before a palate cleanser of kiwi with coconut, mint and sancho pepper. Last but not least, enjoy a raspberry, yuzu and shiso dessert, and a chef's artisan cheese board paired with honey and crackers.
On Sundays, the roast lunch menu begins with complimentary bread and spreads. Starters include a chicken and chorizo terrine, a pressing of goat's cheese and potato, and a shellfish ravioli in a lobster bisque and chive oil. You can choose your roast from a fillet of beef, duo of lamb, and plant based chicken, each served with Yorkshire puddings, maple glazed vegetables, cauliflower cheese and gravy. We'd definitely go for the three courses, and enjoy a chocolate and peanut butter delice with salted caramel for dessert.