The Haven - Best view in town and big news to tell!

Haven Bar & Restaurant - The best dining view in Lymington!

It is approaching ten years ago now, that I remember sitting outside The Haven Bar & Restaurant and making the decision to uproot from London to start ‘a new life in the country’, so finding oneself years later reviewing the place for Lymington Dot Com, is especially nice. Given my consequental and long affection for Rob’s wonderful landmark restaurant & bar, it’s also a relief that I can still after all these years write so positively about it too.

So much has happened since that pivotal moment and where once I felt like a foreigner outside of London where I grew up, I now feel very much at home in Lymington. It is after all where my heart has been for the last decade and will remain until they carry me out horizontally. Of course The Haven isn’t the only reason we moved down here; more the final clincher, but nevertheless I do think it epitomises Lymington in so many ways and to that end, I hope you’ll forgive me using this as a backdrop for my ramblings below.

Not forsaking the above, they do say ‘you can take the man out of London, but you can’t take London out of the man’, and I think that’s largely true as well. For my part, I could never live somewhere devoid of a bit of cosmopolitan quality or host to a wide mix of colourful and enthralling people and fun places where both can come together. The Haven is such a place and let’s be honest, it is undeniably the best located restaurant in town by a long chalk. Regardless of whether you are a yachty or a landlubber, the views over the marina, estuary and Solent beyond are postcard perfect and we all know that water and dining are a marriage made in heaven. I can also confirm that; unlike other places I’ve been to where the food doesn’t live up to the location, this is exceptional and well priced and is, to quote Brucey, ‘one of my favourites’. (Without the implied negative either!)

To start with, I have to say that like Pebble Beach has done for further up the coast, Rob has in my view won the crown for this area for his seafood. Sure he already has the amazing view and waterfront position, but in terms of presentation, choice, freshness and originality where appropriate, the fish here is as any aficionado would demand it and better. Simply focused on the flavour for some dishes and inspired sauces and presentation on others; I could arrive here for lunch and not leave until the lights went out. The only other places that make me feel like that are in France, Italy or The Bay Area. On top of this and in qualification of my latter compliment, Rob is also a pretty good wine buff and even the house white is just that bit superior to the norm, with of course a well chosen selection beyond.

Despite its fishy finesse, you may prefer a meat or vegetarian option and in all cases, you will not be disappointed. Rob is a rugby playing lovable giant of a man and the kind of guy you know would be horrified at serving anything other than the best steaks in town, so have no fear there either. Likewise some of the other dishes are clever and delicious, especially considerate of all tastes and expectations. I’ve put links below to sample menus for your perusal and to highlight the point. By the way, the staff (under the inspiring, sparkly and efficient eye of Emma Billington the Manager) are all gorgeous, look like they enjoy working there and treat you like you're one of the family.

As if the above shouldn’t encourage everyone there in droves, I can also tell you that there are plans in place early next year to drastically extend the outside decking area to provide even more spectacular outdoor dining and in keeping with Rob’s knack for doing it right, this extra 75 or more covers will be protected from the wind by elegant glass shields and warmed on cooler evenings by outside heaters. To my mind, this will turn an already top Lymington restaurant into one of the finest on the south coast and I would gladly admit this review is partly geared to ensuring I can get a reservation when I want one. The rest of you will have to beg or bribe I’m afraid! Seriously though, this is big news. Where else can you eat outdoors in Lymington, protected from the weather and with a view to die for?

Most Lymmy people know The Haven, so none of the above will surprise them, rather maybe just reinforce their existing support. If however you are new to the area or indeed somehow haven’t given it a try, then please do. It’s the kind of place that people talk about and come from miles around by land or sea to go to, so it’s in all our interests for it to thrive and continue to encourage people to the town.

I must of course also point out that this is a proper bar in the nicest possible sense as well and is a popular hub for many locals, a top destination for corporate entertaining and with its comfortable snug and the current balcony tables is a great place for a morning coffee and even breakfast. All in all it has everything you could want. No wonder the marina is permanently full of both resident and visiting yachtsmen.

Thanks Rob for a great meal and many more to come! Please hold that table... ;-) JS

Rob Smith

Haven Bar & Restaurant, King's Saltern Road, Lymington, Hampshire. SO41 3QD - 01590 679971

www.havenrestaurant.co.uk

Sample Menus

Christmas Menu