Hampshire &amp; Isle of Wight


<h2 class="wp-block-heading">THE LOWDOWN</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="912" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/11/FYR-exterior.jpg" alt="FYR restaurant The Solent Hotel Whiteley Fareham Hampshire" class="wp-image-32624" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/11/FYR-exterior.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/11/FYR-exterior-800x486.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/11/FYR-exterior-1000x608.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/11/FYR-exterior-768x467.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/11/FYR-exterior-863x525.jpg 863w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>In 2023, the four-star Solent Hotel and Spa tore up the menu in its hotel restaurant and revamped, spending a sizable sum on a new open plan grill kitchen on the outdoor terrace.</p>



<p>The FYR (fire) concept was first introduced at the North Lakes Hotel and Spa, owner Daniel Thwaites group’s sister property. The idea is locally sourced meat and seafood cooked on an open fire using British hardwoods for a smoky flavour. At the helm, Executive Head Chef Jonathan Marsden-Jones comes with pedigree as the ex-Head Chef of the&nbsp;Michelin-starred The Black Rat in Winchester.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">THE VIBE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1071" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/11/Solent-Hotel-FYR-Chef-6396-min-1.jpg" alt="Outdoor grill at FYR restaurant The Solent Hotel Whiteley Fareham Hampshire" class="wp-image-32622" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/11/Solent-Hotel-FYR-Chef-6396-min-1.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/11/Solent-Hotel-FYR-Chef-6396-min-1-800x571.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/11/Solent-Hotel-FYR-Chef-6396-min-1-1000x714.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/11/Solent-Hotel-FYR-Chef-6396-min-1-768x548.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/11/Solent-Hotel-FYR-Chef-6396-min-1-735x525.jpg 735w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>The outdoor grill kitchen has the buzz of live cooking and a BBQ vibe on the terrace. Sirloin, rib eye, fillet, or the FYR signature steak – aged for a minimum of 28 days and cooked to the diners&#8217; specifications – are served alongside supersized seafood platters. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/11/Solent-Hotel-FYR-restaurant-min.jpg" alt="Tables at FYR restaurant The Solent Hotel Whiteley Fareham Hampshire" class="wp-image-32619" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/11/Solent-Hotel-FYR-restaurant-min.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/11/Solent-Hotel-FYR-restaurant-min-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/11/Solent-Hotel-FYR-restaurant-min-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/11/Solent-Hotel-FYR-restaurant-min-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/11/Solent-Hotel-FYR-restaurant-min-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/01/Solent-hotel-wall-of-wine-1-min.jpg" alt="Wine wall FYR restaurant The Solent Hotel Whiteley Fareham Hampshire" class="wp-image-29565" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/01/Solent-hotel-wall-of-wine-1-min.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/01/Solent-hotel-wall-of-wine-1-min-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/01/Solent-hotel-wall-of-wine-1-min-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/01/Solent-hotel-wall-of-wine-1-min-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/01/Solent-hotel-wall-of-wine-1-min-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Indoors, the restaurant is largely unchanged since the switch over to FYR. The comfortable modern décor includes a large glass wine cave with a few nautical nods here and there.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">SCOFF &amp; QUAFF</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1035" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/11/Solent-Hotel-FYR-mussels-min.jpg" alt="Smoked mussels at FYR restaurant The Solent Hotel Whiteley Fareham Hampshire" class="wp-image-32618" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/11/Solent-Hotel-FYR-mussels-min.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/11/Solent-Hotel-FYR-mussels-min-800x552.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/11/Solent-Hotel-FYR-mussels-min-1000x690.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/11/Solent-Hotel-FYR-mussels-min-768x530.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/11/Solent-Hotel-FYR-mussels-min-761x525.jpg 761w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Having eaten at The Solent Hotel previously, the menu is a departure but there’s still something for everyone, including veggies. There’s also a kids’ menu with the usual pasta and burgers along with fun dipping donuts and fruit for pud.</p>



<p>Not all the starters have the FYR smoked treatment (like the Hereford hop soufflé, tempura prawns or crispy fried beef cheek with bacon jam). Those that do are quite subtle, like the smoked burrata with fennel and orange salad and salmon paté.</p>



<p>Keen to get the whole experience, Mr Muddy starts with smoked mackerel and loves the strong flavour and the burnt apple and seaweed accompaniment. My flavoursome, lightly smoked mussels come in a rich, white wine and black garlic sauce and toasted focaccia, which goes nicely with a glass of chilled sauvignon from the hotel’s very well-stocked international wine selection.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/11/Solent-Hotel-FYR-steak-min.jpg" alt="Smoked flame grilled steak FYR restaurant The Solent Hotel Whiteley Fareham Hampshire" class="wp-image-32620" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/11/Solent-Hotel-FYR-steak-min.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/11/Solent-Hotel-FYR-steak-min-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/11/Solent-Hotel-FYR-steak-min-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/11/Solent-Hotel-FYR-steak-min-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/11/Solent-Hotel-FYR-steak-min-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Both seafood fans, on another occasion we’ll be back for the epic-looking Solent seafood platter featuring crab, Atlantic king prawns, cockles, cured fish, oysters and shellfish. However, this time around, we make it a meaty meal and go for the sizable 8oz sirloin steak. It comes cooked to order with a smoky grilled flavour, served with watercress, smoked tomatoes and skin on fries.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1055" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/11/Solent-Hotel-FYR-burger-min.jpg" alt="Moving Mountains veggie vegan burger FYR restaurant The Solent Hotel Whiteley Fareham Hampshire" class="wp-image-32614" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/11/Solent-Hotel-FYR-burger-min.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/11/Solent-Hotel-FYR-burger-min-800x563.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/11/Solent-Hotel-FYR-burger-min-1000x703.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/11/Solent-Hotel-FYR-burger-min-768x540.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/11/Solent-Hotel-FYR-burger-min-746x525.jpg 746w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Our other main is a Moving Mountains vegan burger. It comes served on a soft, sourdough bun, topped with smoked cheese, a generous serve of pickles and skin-on fries. Having eaten a fair few of these before, the flame-grilled definitely elevates the flavour a few notches.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1084" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/11/Solent-Hotel-FYR-sticky-toffee-pudding-min.jpg" alt="Sticky toffee pudding" class="wp-image-32621" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/11/Solent-Hotel-FYR-sticky-toffee-pudding-min.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/11/Solent-Hotel-FYR-sticky-toffee-pudding-min-800x578.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/11/Solent-Hotel-FYR-sticky-toffee-pudding-min-1000x723.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/11/Solent-Hotel-FYR-sticky-toffee-pudding-min-768x555.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/11/Solent-Hotel-FYR-sticky-toffee-pudding-min-726x525.jpg 726w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>The FYR smoked concept ends at dessert but that doesn&#8217;t mean you need to. There’s the usual array of cheeses, locally-made Jude’s ice cream, parfait and petit fours if you’ve a sweet tooth. On a cool autumn day, our warming sticky toffee pudding with a couple of spoons hits the mark perfectly.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">OUT &amp; ABOUT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1001" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/11/Whiteley.jpg" alt="Whiteley shopping Fareham Hampshire" class="wp-image-32623" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/11/Whiteley.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/11/Whiteley-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/11/Whiteley-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/11/Whiteley-768x513.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/11/Whiteley-787x525.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>A five-minute walk (or two-minute drive) from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whiteleyshopping.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Whiteley Shopping Centre</a>, The Solent Hotel &amp; Spa is close to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/portchester-castle/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Porchester Castle</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hants.gov.uk/thingstodo/countryparks/manorfarm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Manor Farm</a>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hants.gov.uk/thingstodo/countryparks/rhcp" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">River Hamble Country Park</a>&nbsp;as well as some great beaches at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thebeachguide.co.uk/south-west-england/hampshire/hill-head.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hill Head</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thebeachguide.co.uk/south-west-england/hampshire/lee-on-solent.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lee-on-Solent</a>. Family-friendly attractions like&nbsp;<a href="https://www.marwell.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marwell Zoo</a>&nbsp;and<a href="https://www.eastleigh.gov.uk/parks-leisure-and-culture/country-parks-and-open-spaces/itchen-valley-country-park" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">&nbsp;Itchen Valley Country Park</a>&nbsp;are under 30 minutes’ drive, as is the brilliant&nbsp;<a href="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/hambledon-vineyard-hambledon/">Hambledon Vineyard</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">ACCESSIBILITY / DOG FRIENDLY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1051" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/11/Solent-Hotel-FYR-deer-garden-min.jpg" alt="Deer ornaments in the garden at The Solent Hotel and Spa Whiteley Fareham Hampshire" class="wp-image-32615" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/11/Solent-Hotel-FYR-deer-garden-min.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/11/Solent-Hotel-FYR-deer-garden-min-800x561.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/11/Solent-Hotel-FYR-deer-garden-min-1000x701.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/11/Solent-Hotel-FYR-deer-garden-min-768x538.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/11/Solent-Hotel-FYR-deer-garden-min-749x525.jpg 749w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>FYR is on the ground floor of the hotel with wheelchair access and there’s plenty of parking right outside. It&#8217;s no dogs in the FYR restaurant. They are welcome elsewhere in the hotel though, including the dog-friendly bedrooms, bar, grounds and surrounding woodland area. (Just beyond the restaurant and garden and great for a post blow-out lunch stroll).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-muddy-verdict">THE MUDDY VERDICT</h2>



<p><strong>Good for:</strong> The FYR terrace is made for long summer lunches and lingering evenings but the restaurant is well worth a visit at other times of the year too for a date night dinner or family treat. BBQ fans will love the grill concept. &nbsp;</p>



<p><strong>Not for:</strong> FYR serves up good quality ingredients and done well but it&#8217;s more suited to a casual meal than formal fine dining.</p>



<p><strong>The damage:</strong> Hotel prices but certainly not eyewatering. Starters are £6-£12, mains £18-£32 and the Seafood platter is £65 for two. Puds range from £3 &#8211; £15, with most around the £8-9 mark. The kids’ menu is £11.95 for two courses/£14.95 for three.</p>



<p><a href="https://www.solenthotel.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>FYR at The Solent Hotel &amp; Spa</em></a><em>, Rookery Avenue, Whiteley, Fareham, Hampshire, PO15 7AJ. Tel. 01489 880000.</em></p>


Review: FYR at The Solent Hotel, Whiteley

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