I’VE often walked past this attractive looking restaurant in the evening and marvelled at how inviting it all looks from the outside.

With windows so great they demand you look in, the dimly lit, cosy dining room seems to emit a warm glow that you find yourself being inexplicably drawn to.

Having interviewed Raymond Blanc a few weeks earlier I wanted to know if his French inspired haute cuisine was as exciting as the man himself.

Snazzy looking from the outside, the inside of the restaurant was just as striking with candles basking diners in a soft glow and wine glasses hanging upside down above tables.

It was a Saturday night and my girlfriend and I sat at a table at the far end of the restaurant not far from the large windows that allow diners to watch the world go by on Jewry Street.

The restaurant did not appear to have any empty tables when we arrived at 9pm, which tends to be a sign of a good restaurant.

Looking around me I couldn’t help but feel this is how a restaurant is supposed to be, an open kitchen on the first floor, a warm buzz of conversation and a traditional décor that makes you feel like you are somewhere special without being too formal.

We ordered a bottle of Merlot (£9.50) and were brought a basket of bread by a member of staff who I mistook to be French (she was Polish!) before ordering some starters and mains.

I picked crispy goat’s cheese parcel with tomato chutney (£7.45), while my girlfriend chose ham hock and pea risotto (£6.75). The goat’s cheese was oozing with flavour in a crispy, thin batter and looked so delicate you almost didn’t want to eat it. The risotto’s empty dish minutes later spoke for itself.

I then tucked into the slow cooked lamb shoulder and palace potatoes (£17.25) for the main course which was tender and mouth watering.

My partner’s beef stroganoff with pilaf rice (£10.25), while not as flavoursome as the risotto, was still a satisfying dish, but lacked a little something to make it perfect.

We then shared a devilishly tasty lemon tart (£6) before having a glass of dessert wine each to finish off the meal. The food, the service and the atmosphere were exceptional, making this one of my two favourite dining experiences in Winchester.

Eating a la carte is expensive, but there is a dine with wine offer costing £16 for two courses or £18.45 for three courses which offers really good value for money.

Brasserie Blanc
19-20 Jewry Street, Winchester
SO23 8RZ
01962 810870
brasserieblanc.com