So as March is now upon us and we think about the onset of Spring and warmer weather (more in hope, than earnest) and also about such things as Easter, Daffodils and …Rabbits….or more specifically…Hares! March Ones!
The March Hare is one of the delightful Heartwood Inn establishments that seem to be popping up more and more throughout the beautiful Surrey Hills countryside and indeed this one is in fact appropriately enough set right in the heart of Guildford.
We all know the story of Alice in Wonderland and the ‘Mad Hatter’s Tea Party’ along with his own table companion, The March Hare. So, we wondered what sort of evening we were going to have as my wife Alicia and I arrived for our delicious meal last week. It was thankfully, a much more refined affair, in this beautifully revamped old building with décor that was classic, stylish and seemed to come from a much happier, cosier past. It was spacious, bright, clean and shiny almost as if ‘through the looking glass’ itself and set out on two floors. We were made to feel almost immediately like we were old friends in a real ‘home from home’ environment.
David our host, manager and ‘Maître-de’ possessed much Gallic charm, with plenty of ‘Savoir Fare‘ and ‘Joie de Vivre ‘ as he showed us to our table for two. He then proudly introduced us to the lovely Jordan, who was to be our very smiley and helpful waitress for the evening.
We ordered our drinks; a large glass of New Zealand Sauvignon called ‘Turning Heads’ which Alicia has not stopped raving about and a pint of beautifully poured Guinness for myself. As we gazed at the other contented diners all around, we noticed there was a very young girl celebrating her birthday on the next table with her family. Thankfully the helium balloon which she kept letting go of (accidently/on purpose!) didn’t have far to travel up into the ceiling and was within easy reach of her very patient and chilled out dad. Dogs are also made very welcome here too, which is lovely to see.
For Starters, I went with the Chef’s Special of Chicken, Streaky Bacon and Apricot Terrine served with Pickles, Chutney, Toasted Sourdough and Alicia opted for a Goat’s Cheese and Leek Tart with Apple & Walnut Salad with Red Onion Marmalade. We were both very happy with our choices and even shared a bowl of Wild Olives.
For the Mains, I scrolled through the diverse and yet so simple to read menu and salivated at most of the dishes on there, but every time I looked away, no matter how hard I tried, I kept being drawn back to the highlighted box which had first caught my attention. The 8oz Rump Steak, which almost had a label attached to it saying ‘EAT ME’. So, I dually obliged. Cooked medium rare to perfection with a side of fries, salad and some peppercorn sauce it was beyond my wildest expectations. An absolute triumph from start to finish, oh and believe me, it was finished. Alicia took the Vegan option which was a very tasty Roasted Celeriac Steak with Mash, Kale and Red Wine Sauce, which she thoroughly devoured with glee.
We then chatted with Jordan, our waitress, about her aspiring photographic career, as David came back to wish us well and bid ‘au revoir’ as we ordered our desserts. Again it was the Chef’s special for me, a truly spectacular Dark Chocolate Orange Dome, which just had to be seen to be believed and accompanied by a Cappuccino (as I was tonight’s designated driver). The newly self-appointed Talking Heads Ambassador Alicia (who was now incidentally on her second large glass), opted for three scoops of assorted flavoured Ice-Creams; Salted Caramel, Vanilla and Strawberry with an accompanying Gavotte Biscuit Wafer.
I’m not sure Lewis Carroll had this quite in mind when he wrote his novels but this March Hare was certainly a ‘Wonderland’ of Food, never late with any course and certainly had ‘Alicia through her drinking glass!’
A sheer delight from start to finish and if this is just a taster of what’s to come then the Heart really is in this Wood of impeccable Inns!
CONTACT
The March Hare
2-4 South Hill, Guildford, Surrey, GU1 3SY
01483 401530
@marchhareguildford
