Southampton FC: Fine dining experience at The Halo in St Mary's

Fine dining and Saints meet in a way that complements both - although only one comes with a guarantee you'll enjoy it (and it's not what happens on the pitch).

On arrival we are offered a flute of Laurent Perrier Champagne by a server and led to our table for two for the evening.

A dedicated - and attentive - member of wait staff is brimming with confidence, conversation and excellent service. She brings menus (more on that shortly) and ensures our (inclusive) drinks are kept filled.

Specially put together by the club's hospitality partner, the menu is a mouth-watering delight.

Gather & Gather have brought together some of the finest produce from across the region - sourcing much from "Hampshire's larder".

“The food is a celebration of our region’s richness and diversity and wherever possible (Gather & Gather) have sourced the freshest ingredients from local farmers, growers and producers,” the menu tells guests. “A feast for the eye and a delight in the mouth, The Halo menu offers a fine-dining experience with a broad range of dishes.”

But this description fails to do the menu justice. Starting dinner with canapes (including chicken liver parfait with orange salt and plum compote, and compressed watermelon, feta and chilli), sets a high bar for quality that is consistently met at each course.

For the main, I opt for pork belly, black pudding beetroot, and apple. The pork is cooked perfectly and tastes delicious.

Dessert follows and then before kick off it's millionaire's shortbread (the fifth course of the evening) that completes the meal.

It's then time to take our seats - comfortably padded and close to the centre line.

The lounge offers a pitch-side view throughout dinner via a wall of glass - but nothing matches the sensation of making the short walk from the fine-dining restaurant experience through to taking up a seat in the ground.

An impressive light show - put on just before Saints play Nottingham Forest - only adds to the evening.

Unfortunately the unrivalled excellence of The Halo isn't matched by the performance on the pitch - it is, as our waiter reminds us later, the one thing they cannot control on the night.

Half time comes and fellow diners (the lounge is limited to an exclusive 130 guests) take their seats again - this time with much to pick apart.

We're greeted by a selection of British cheeses - Old Winchester, Isle of Wight blue, Tunworth - with crackers, grapes and chutney.

At one point Martin Semmens walks through, and it was hard not to wonder what was on his mind with Saints struggling.

With a cocktail each ordered (mojitos for us) we return back to our seats - which have an excellent view of the pitch and the back of an animated Nathan Jones, who has overseen a 1-0 loss to the visitors.

We return to The Halo - disappointed - but are met by our drinks and BBQ pulled pork sliders (vegetarian options are available).

Injured Tino Livramento bravely takes part in the exclusive post-match interview reflecting on the bitter loss, his injury and hopes for a return to the field of play.

Despite the clear discontent on his face, everyone in the lounge clearly appreciated the 20-year-old coming out to talk.

It's hard to push aside the defeat on the pitch, but The Halo really does offer a first-class experience.

Now Saints have turned a corner under Ruben Selles, it might just be the perfect time to visit.

Prices start from £400 per person plus VAT. Enquire via southamptonfc.com/hospitality

The 1885 lounge prices start from £300 plus VAT and include a champagne reception, inclusive drinks and English Tapas small plates menu, with luxury padded seating outside the lounge.

Private boxes for up to ten people are also available, with prices available on request.