Lanes New Lunch Menu – A little oasis in a busy working life!

When trying to write this review I kept on coming back to the same key words, friendly, relaxed and excellent food at great prices.  This really does sum up the newest restaurant in Lymington.

Recently re-opened by Peter and Nicola Leyland-Jones, the restaurant remembered as Preachers, Fat Cats or Maine has been given a new lease of life, still housing a crisp white interior, quirky split level spaces and wooden floors throughout though with a far more casual feel, incorporating the orange and brown of the Lanes branding.

Gone are the table cloths, replaced with relaxing sofas to enjoy a drink.  Gone are the expensive 3 course lunches, replaced with a very reasonably priced buffet lunch (a steal at only £7.50, or £3.95 for children under 14).  With a hugely varied range of home-made dishes, from an outstanding coronation chicken to cold meats, pates, cheese, new potatoes, and selection of salads, & fresh home-baked bread.  Each day there is a different choice of hot dishes also included in the buffet.  A beautiful platter of fresh fruit is also available and is still included in the price! We were stuffed and the food was gorgeous! If you don’t want the buffet you can also order light meals such as fresh omelettes, sandwiches and baguettes.  CLICK HERE to view the full lunch menu.

All point to the same goal, producing a restaurant accessible to all without alienating any of the community.  Nicola describes Lanes as “Everyday prices for everyday people at everyday occasions” and, although I agree, I don’t feel this really gives her restaurant justice.  Lanes, for me, really is all about the superb quality of food and the welcoming feeling you receive from the moment you walk through the door.

Peter, also the head chef, has returned to his home town after an impressive few years away in the catering industry, with hotels including the Belfry (in the Midlands) and The Royal Bath Hotel in Bournemouth.  His expertise really does shine through in stunning home cooked food, right down to the delicious ice creams and speciality breads.

Whilst Peter slaves away upstairs Nicola is an excellent front of house. As far as possible she ensures every customer is greeted at the door with a huge smile and shown to their table. Along with her staff, Nicola ensures that the service each and every diner receives is second to none, and this really does make a huge difference to the experience at Lanes.

My experience at Lanes was, in all honestly, a small sigh of relief for me. Maine was one of my favourite restaurants in Lymington and one will always be sceptical I suppose when something new replaces something you have always loved but I can safely say that its reputation lies safely in the hands of Peter and Nicola. The superb quality of the food we received was in a league that truly is not reflected in the very reasonable prices, the atmosphere in the restaurant was beautifully calming and the service (as I may have mentioned once or twice?!) was outstanding!

If you don’t have time, as I know many of us now don’t, to take a relaxing lunch then why not try Lanes for a slightly less informal dinner date.  With a lovely evening menu, and a great variety of wines look out for LDC’s review of Lanes in the evening coming soon.

Find Lanes in Ashley Lane, Lymington (just by New Look on the High Street)

Tel: 01590 672777