Kinghams is a two AA Rosette fine-dining establishment in the beautiful and rural village of Shere, just a few miles from Guildford and Dorking in the heart of the Surrey Hills.
The jewel of the crown in Surrey gastronomy, Kinghams features the finest and freshest food with original dishes and tantalising menus consisting of four courses. A visit to this show-stopping restaurant, that has recently celebrated its 30-year anniversary, will not disappoint!
Having already won 9 industry awards for gastronomy including Best Restaurant in 2013 and Best Fine Dining in 2019. The accolades keep coming, having also received a nod at the Surrey Awards 2023 this year for excellence in Fine Dining.
Home for Kinghams is a listed 17th century building. The scenery surrounding Kinghams and the restaurant itself is stunning. The restaurant is picturesque and quaint and bought an instant feeling of relaxation. A home from home if you like with its small and intimate dining spaces.
Jack Forrest Foster, has co-owned the establishment since 2019, alongside the highly skilled and experienced chef, Mohssine El Faddi. Their focus is on elegant, seasonal and contemporary British food prepared with local ingredients to the highest level.
“The menu changes according to the availability of the produce with local venison, partridge and duck regularly featured, as well beef from the Surrey Hills,” Jack informs us. “We also have our own herb and vegetable garden and every part of the menu is freshly made by the kitchen team.”
OUR EXPERIENCE
We arrived at Kinghams on a Wednesday evening and were pleasantly greeted by the owner and front of house manager Jack, who incidentally was celebrating his 39th birthday (Happy Birthday Jack!)
We were shown to our table in the restaurant which was full to the brim – a good sign on a midweek night in November. Luckily, we had pre-booked well in advance, as Kinghams have waiting lists of over 2 weeks at times.
Our lovely waitress Lisa was attentive and fun making the general ambience thoroughly enjoyable. The menu choice was wide and varied but not overbearing – with four choices in each course; To Begin (starter), The In-Between (second starter/mini main), To Follow (main course) and To Finish (dessert) we were indeed spoilt!
TO START
We opted for the 4 Course Menu Option, starting with the In-Between Courses of ‘Hand Dived Scallops with Parsnip and Curry Butter’ which was sublime, presented beautifully in scallop shells and the equally impressive ‘Venison Ravioli with Braised Seasonal Vegetables and Marsala Broth.’ The locally farmed venison was extremely tender, the freshly made pasta cooked perfectly and the broth sauce was delicious giving a rich favour and kick to the winter warming dish.
Next up was the amuse-bouche of fish soup, served as an appetiser before the main. It was delightful, and contained a mussel and a piece of prime sole in a cute coffee cup with a frothy top. A very nice touch, Kinghams!
MAIN COURSES
For mains there was so much to choose from, including delights such as the ‘Glazed Octopus with Romesco and House Harissa’ (pictured here) it was hard to decide on just one! We went for the enticing ‘Duo of Partridge, Applewood Smoked Breast and Leg with Poached Pear, Jerusalem Artichokes, Walnut Ketchup and Chestnut Jus’ on the advice of Jack, the owner. It was an amazing dish, presented beautifully and the flavours of the game were perfectly offset the sweetness of the pear and crunch of the walnuts.
Our second taster, comedian and TV personality Bobby Davro, went for ‘Pan Fried Sea Bass with Heritage Carrot, Blood Orange Puree and Confit Fennel.’ The sharp flavours of the blood orange and fennel were a winning match with the succulent and generous portion size of the Sea Bass. The Heritage Carrots were also cooked perfectly al dente.
TO DRINK
Kinghams has some great partnership deals with local distillers – including the infamous Silent Pool and Albury Vineyards. (Look out for a new trout main dish on the Festive Menu incorporating their gin!)
Unsure on what to have as a pre-dinner drink we went for the Special Recommendation of ‘Kinghams 30thAnniversary’ Wessex Gin and Fever Tree Tonic – with a Juniper nose and a hint of cinnamon and citrus – it was so light and refreshing and got the meal off to a great start.
To accompany our Mains we went for a glass of the 2022 Italian Seraffa Gavi di Gavi and a glass of the 2021 Domaine Colonge Fleurie. Both were excellent suggestions from Kinghams in-house Sommelier. The Wine List at Kinghams is extensive and includes some of the finest wines and vintages.
DESSERT
Although feeling a bit on the full side, there was no way we were turning down desserts!
Following our refreshing palette cleanser of ‘Kiwi and Bubbles Sorbet’ from Albury Vineyards, we went for the Kinghams classic of ‘Apple Tart Tatin’ served with calvados caramel, roasted apple puree and crème fraiche sorbet – it was simply divine, the sweetness of the caramel perfectly offset the sharpness of the roasted apple in the Tatin.
We then hit up a new Kinghams dessert masterpiece, ‘The Peanut Butter and Chocolate Parfait’ served with a scrumptious port gel and milk ice-cream. This looked too good to eat, presented beautifully with a whipped chocolate topping, but we managed it!
Hats off to Jack, Mo and the team for a fabulous menu and the ultimate dining experience.
CHEF TALK
Mohssine El Faddi, affectionately nicknamed as “Moz” was born in Morocco and started his career 20 years ago at the prestigious Tante Marie School of Cookery where he completed his Diploma in Cordon Bleu cookery. He also trained at a Le Manoir Aux Quat’Saisons under the ownership of Raymond Blanc. He went on to work for a variety of award-winning establishments including Marco Pierre White’s The Mirabelle, Sonny’s and The Langham Hotel before heading down to Surrey.
“I am proud to bring some elements of my Moroccan heritage to our fine dining menu – I think that’s what helps to elevate it and adds a contemporary twist. Our guests enjoy spices, grains and cooking methods that are not necessarily used elsewhere in the area,” Moz says.
“We have a winning formula: we have created a restaurant where people can order high quality food that they can trust. And it’s also a friendly home-from-home for our guests, some of whom visit us on a weekly basis whilst others come for special occasions or family get togethers. It’s a joy to serve our guests.”
IN SUMMARY
Kinghams has been delighting guests for over 30 years and we can certainly see why this gem of a Restaurant has stood the test of time.
Kinghams was easily one of our tasters best ever Restaurant Reviews. The quality of the food, service, décor, surroundings and overall ambience made for a perfect dining experience. We have also heard wonderful things about their Sunday Lunches (pre-booking is essential) and have already secured our sought after reservation to try out next month!
We cannot recommend Kinghams highly enough.
CONTACT:
Kinghams Restaurant
Gomshall Lane
Shere
Surrey
GU5 9HE
01483 202168
