Old Downton Lodge

Old Downton Lodge reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

1. n

   noelc

   Warwickshire1 review

   5.0

   Dined on October 20, 2018

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Excellent ! would highly recommend , been twice and would go again !
   

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2. AJ

   AndrewJ

   London6 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on September 4, 2018

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   A beautiful converted barn served as the lounge area where we were cordially welcomed by all staff. We didn’t feel in any way inferior for not being residents! My favourite gin (Tanqueray 10) was served with a slice of grapefruit rather than the usual lime or lemon: a small but effective detail that was to be one of the hallmarks of this fine restaurant, along with the menu card bearing our surname, the table in a quiet corner just as I had requested in my booking, the courtesy call the day before to check on any dietary requirements, the friendly (definitely not stuffy) demeanour of all staff who served us... The main dining hall felt medieval or baronial with lovely triangular dovecote holes in the stone walls (if that’s what they were), tapestries hanging and a seating plan that gave plenty of space between diners. We opted for the 6 course tasting menu and I had the flight of wines to accompany with my wife sticking to water as designated driver. Each course was exquisite and well-paired with the wines. I particularly enjoyed the Lebanese Chateau Musar with the Wagyu and the Pinot Noir with the pork - all nicely explained by the waiters. We spent £200 in total for an excellent culinary, social and architectural experience; a lot some might think but as fine dining goes this is very good value. Often you pay a lot for really nice food only for it to be spoilt by the waitering, seating or ambience; but not here. My wife and I are not frequent fine diners but we’ve experienced enough (in Cambridge and London) to know that Old Downton deserves to be more widely known than its remote location might dictate. Just two small suggestions for improvement. The background music on arrival in the dining hall (50s jazz I think) did not complement the medieval ambience and the decaf coffees we had at the end were not up to the high standard of the rest of the evening (tasted like ‘instant’). But forgive that nit-picking. Overall the experience was fantastic.
   

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3. AW

   AlexW

   Birmingham4 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on August 31, 2018

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   A fantastic meal at a stunning restaurant. Karl and the team should be very proud of what they're doing.
   

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4. AJ

   AmandaJ

   Shropshire1 review

   5.0

   Dined on August 25, 2018

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Absolutely fantastic place, the sun shone as we sat in a beautifully landscaped coutyard, almost felt like individual garden areas. The room was very tasteful and finished to a high standard. The food was magnificent and time was given to talk us through the wine flight as this not our area if expertise. Over all I could not find a thing to fault!
   

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5. XN

   XNGasTz

   London3 reviews

   4.0

   Dined on August 4, 2018

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 3

   - Exceptional food - a very talented chef... - Wine flight could be upgraded (and price increased accordingly to match the quality of the food). It was very good value for money but I think the amazing food could benefit from a "fine wine flight"...
   

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6. CH

   ClareH

   Staffordshire4 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on July 21, 2018

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Delicious tasting menu with unusual foods. Presentation of food was amazing. Service excellent. Small dining room created a lovely atmosphere.
   

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7. PJ

   PeterJ

   Bristol3 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on May 25, 2018

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Excellent degustation meal and win match, beautifully presented
   

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8. LB

   LadyB

   London6 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on May 19, 2018

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   A fabulous find! Wonderful staff and the food was exquisite! We had the taster menu, I can’t fault it! Next time we’ll be staying!
   

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9. SL

   SyLyT

   Nashville3 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on May 2, 2018

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   From beginning to end, our evening at Old Downton Lodge was superb. From the moment we arrived, the staff was attentive, discreet, professional and welcoming. We chose to try the tasting menu, which was an excellent choice. The six courses were bursting with interesting surprises in flavour and texture, each mouthful to be savoured. The room was gorgeous, low-lit and quiet, the pace was pleasantly slow, so that we could thoroughly enjoy the extraordinary meal. And all the while, the staff attended to our every need without intruding. It was a perfect evening, and one of the best meals we have enjoyed!
   

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10. 3

    31redland

    London7 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 12, 2018

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5

    Fabulous six course tasting menu for £60 per head- delicate flavours; creative pairings; everything beautifully cooked.
    

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