REVIEW: Harbour Heights Six Course Evening Menu

As the days get shorter this autumn, what better way to spend a Friday evening than with an indulgent tasting menu at the Harbour Heights Hotel’s The View Restaurant, headed up by chef Simon Braz, who talked us through his six course tasting menu, filled to the brim with exquisite local flavours.

Six delectable courses, carefully curated by Simon himself, paired with the most delicious white and red wines - it was a pleasure! After enjoying a gin and lemonade (I know it should be tonic, I’m sorry), we were presented with a fantastic selection of fresh breads alongside a board of olives, olive oil and balsamic vinegar and two flavoured butters - chicken skin and yeast (very much a marmite flavour but we both loved it). 

We were warned not to fill up on bread by our very attentive and friendly waitress, who let us know that our first course was coming up, a brilliant zero-waste creation - Jerusalem artichoke, using up the whole artichoke in the dish, something Simon was rightly proud of - the crisps on top were so moreish, I would definitely order this again, which surprised me as I had never eaten artichoke before. 

Next up was another new taste for me, Scallops with an onion and bacon jam, which was paired with a white wine. I was pleasantly surprised by the taste of the scallops, especially alongside the other flavours on the plate, but the texture was not 100% to my liking so I’m not sure I would personally have this another time. 

It wasn’t an issue though as the next course was soon with us and this one was my favourite of the evening, a Monkfish Thai green curry, with smooth sweet potato. The flavours went together so well, it is definitely a dish I would recommend. 

As The View have an open kitchen, we went and had a preview of our next course being prepared by Simon - venison with beetroot and a side of venison shepherd's pie - it was as tasty as it sounds, a seasonal dish, using local produce, paired with a full bodied red wine, which went perfectly with the earthy tones of the food. 

A sorbet cleansed the palette brilliantly to prepare us for our final course of the evening, and what a treat it was - a White Chocolate Biscoff pudding, with a caramel centre, which oozed out when opened with our spoons. I cannot describe how amazing this dessert was - go and try it for yourself, you will not be disappointed! The fact that I managed to finish it after five other courses and the bread is a testament to how incredible it was. 

In short, The View at Harbour Heights hotel in Poole is the perfect setting for an indulgent date night, special occasion or treat with friends. Chef Simon and his team are sure to delight, if you aren’t keen on trying the tasting menu, the a la carte is just as sure to wow, and the location is hard to beat. Run, don’t walk to book your table now! 

You can book a table here!

Review by Emma Longden, of @evenangelsfallblog