We were blown away by our recent visit to The Gosling in Horsell. From the moment you walk through the doors into the immaculately-presented and striking reception- bar area, you’re greeted with a smile from the ever-attentive front-of-house team (this time, we had the restaurant owner Nick Levantis on-site, so we knew we were in exceptionally good hands!)
We were then asked whether we would prefer to have a drink in the bar or go straight through for our lunch. As we were a bit pushed for time on this particular visit, we opted to go straight through and sit in the exquisitely decorated dining room.
INCREDIBLE INTERIORS
Designed by the brilliant Studio Vitor, the space is inviting and flows beautifully from the bar through the open kitchen and into the dining room. The main restaurant is divided from the bar by a glass screen, which adds to the atmosphere without intrusion.
In the daytime, the restaurant and bar are bright and welcoming for brunch or lunch, before the beautifully designed lighting turns down for a more intimate evening service. The bespoke furnishings, with carefully chosen luxury fabrics and artworks, create a warm, inviting, and stylish experience. There is also a stunning outdoor covered dining terrace with floral displays and a patio, perfect for al fresco dining.
COOL COCKTAILS
We ordered from the impressive cocktail menu. We chose their famous ‘Lychee Martini’, which was beautifully served with red strawberry powder “kisses” decorating the white foam. It was smooth, light, and fresh – a perfect summer cocktail.
We also tried their signature cocktail, ‘The Gosling’, made from Gosling’s Black Rum, Jägermeister, pineapple juice and lime juice – it really packed a punch, with flavours that were perfectly balanced. On the recommendation of our fantastic Bar Manager, Roberto Vennari, our third taster went for French Martini.
SUPERB STARTERS
To start, we chose the ‘Grilled Wild Argentinian Prawns with Chilli, Garlic, and Parsley’. It was beautifully presented with five large, shell-on king prawns, grilled to perfection. The garlic and herb sauce was delicious, with plenty left over for dipping The Gosling’s delicious artisanal sourdough bread.
Next up was another mainstay on The Gosling’s starter menu, the courgette flower – a delightful medley of crispy cauliflower and dumplings filled with ricotta and spinach, accompanied by a lemon verbena oil. A winning dish.
Last, but by no means least, was the crispy lamb shoulder served with sticky soy sauce, green chilli, apple, and coriander – a taste explosion, with succulent shredded lamb and beautiful Japanese-infused flavours.
MASTERFUL MAINS
Next came the choice of 12 sumptuous mains. There are three steak options, including a chateaubriand for two to share, served with house chips, peppercorn sauce, charred broccoli and dressed mustard leaf, or a 220g Black Angus fillet and a 300g Black Angus sirloin steak. These come with a choice of peppercorn, béarnaise or chimichurri sauce, and a selection of six tempting sides.
Our diner chose the Black Angus fillet steak, cooked medium-rare to perfection, served with the most delicious creamy peppercorn sauce and ultra-crispy house chips seasoned with rosemary and thyme salt. Succulent, flavourful and, in his words, “one of the best steaks” he had ever tried. You can’t get better than that!
Our second diner opted for the grilled corn-fed chicken breast, served with a peri-peri marinade and seasonal greens. It was subtly spicy, but not overpowering, and the chicken was so tender it fell off the bone. The broccoli was cooked perfectly al dente for that extra crunch, and the pomme purée, blended with chive butter and crispy shallots, was a winning side: smooth and full of flavour.
DECADENT DESSERTS
Our starters, mains, and cocktails had taken their toll on our appetites by this point. We politely declined dessert on this occasion, but because the meal had been so outstanding, we booked to return with a larger group the following week!
We’re intent on trying the glorious dessert menu, including Basque cheesecake with chocolate crumbs and mango sorbet; dark chocolate mousse served with salted caramel, hazelnut and black cherry; or the equally enticing Madagascan vanilla panna cotta with blackberries and honeycomb.
AWARD-WINNING
The Gosling took home the top prize at the recent Surrey Awards 2025, winning the ‘Best Restaurant – Modern European’ category against stiff competition. The results showed this modern restaurant topped the polls in five categories: food, drinks, quality, ambience, and service.
On the day of our review, the General Manager, Fernando Da Silva (who has served us on previous visits), was away on holiday – but the ever-charismatic owner, Nick Levantis, and his team, including Roberto Vennari (running the bar) and Deputy General Manager, Jonathan Gomez, attended to our every need. They were helpful, attentive and great fun, making our experience even more special. We will definitely be back!
COCKTAIL MASTERCLASSES, LIVE ENTERTAINMENT & MORE
Also on the menu at The Gosling are fun classes, experiences, and events. Shake things up with a hands-on experience at The Gosling’s Cocktail Masterclass, where you’ll learn to craft three signature cocktails under the expert guidance of their brilliant bartenders. Each class includes: cocktail-making (and tasting, of course!), delicious canapés, and a relaxed, social atmosphere that’s perfect for friends, dates, or solo adventurers – all for just £50 per person.
There is also a fantastic selection of Live Music Nights to enjoy – including a Frank Sinatra tribute and top local bands who’ve been making waves in the area. Check out our September calendar on page 17 for full listings of live music and experience dates.
CONTACT
The Gosling, Chertsey Road, Woking, Surrey, GU21 5NL
01483 971915
@thegoslingsurrey
info@thegosling.co.uk
www.thegosling.co.uk
