Splinters in Christchurch Dorset

Splinters

11 – 12 Church Street

Christchurch

Dorset

BH23 1BW

Date & time of visit 03.06.16 @ 1200

How many times have we walked past this place without stopping in for a coffee or a meal? ‘Several’ is the answer.

Today we stopped and looked at the menus outside and the specials board and decided that today was going to be the day to venture in for an early lunch to celebrate Heather’s birthday.  What really drew us in were the specials which sounded appealing.  Heather is vegetarian and I know I bang on about the lack of vegetarian choices in restaurants these days, Splinters was showing it had more to offer than variations on pasta, chilli, curry or lasagne and that is what we liked the look of.

We must have been dream customers as by the time we were seated we already had decided what to order.  Heather went for the creamy mushroom risotto while I went for the asparagus served on a warm salad topped off with a poached egg.  A good risotto is a sure fire way to warm Heather’s culinary heart and for me a poached egg in the right context any time of day will win always win my vote.

At first we sat at one of the tables near the entrance and opposite the bar.  It was nice there but there was something missing in the atmosphere.  Perhaps because we were, what are called in the hospitality business ‘first footers’ and were sitting by ourselves.  Another couple came in and asked if there were any dining booths available?  We asked as well and moved through a small corridor into a room of dining booths all laid out for service.  This felt more atmospheric than near the bar so if you are in a party of up to four covers I would recommend that you try to book a booth for your meal.

Lunch was served and both dishes looked a picture.  No comment about the food suffice to say that when they plates were taken back for washing up they were already clean and their progress through the dishwasher would only be a formality.  What better compliment can a restaurant have?

Prices – excellent value for money

Service – attentive but not overbearing

Ambience – good, especially in the dining booth room

And now the ultimate question ‘Would we go back again?’ ‘Yes’ is the answer.