When Leslie from Cocktails In Company invited us to sample his cocktail menu, we also got the opportunity to eat at the hosting Chez Vous restaurant and stay overnight in the hotel above.
Situated in the heart of Warlingham, the service and food at Chez Vous blew me away that I just had to tell you about it.Just in case you are ever round this neck of the woods.
Sitting down we were treated to a five course tasting menu*. This is changed weekly to reflect seasonal and local produce, along with the regular A La Carte menu, which is changed every three months.
Chef Laurent, alongside his business partner and co-chef Martin show their passion for their business through the way the food is presented. Laurent comes round to the tables at the end of your meal to introduce himself, and he gave me some great tips for how to perfect my favourite risotto recipe at home.
We dined on Salad of home smoked duck, pomegranate & apple; cocoa & garlic dressing. The pomegranate really cut through the gamy richness of the duck, while the leaves provided a surprisingly welcomed bitter note for harmonious flavour.
Creamy and sweet Risotto of mussels with pink peppercorn cream.
Lamb two ways: Herb crusted cutlet and roasted rump; rosemary sauce and parsnip puree. OMG – this was immense. I cannot stop thinking about this. The lamb was juicy, pink and supremely tender. Everything just melded together in one perfect flavour bomb of perfection.
Cheese board with Vacherin Mont d’Or and traditional accompaniments
Finally Honey and Galliano Iced Nougat with roasted pecans. The swirl of reductions around the edge reminded me of a twister ice-lolly on a much more sophisticated scale. What did this substantial meal cost you ask? An exceptionally well priced £49. I know right! Such a high standard of well prepared food for an amazing price, and we felt comfortably full with feeling overfed. You can even pair the courses with a flight of 5 wines for an optional £19.95. We opted for prosecco with dinner, which went perfectly with all the courses.
Service is impeccable too. Sean, the manager and Sony our server, were so attentive, friendly and catered to our needs. Something that I could see them doing throughout the restaurant, they genuinely wanted their guests to have a good time. The décor is simple and elegant, in keeping with the tone of the restaurant.
When it was time to retire for the night, we slinked into one of the sumptuous individually decorated 10 rooms* above the restaurant.
Convenient and comfortable, this was a great idea from the owners. Thankfully you cannot hear a peep from downstairs, and we went to bed at around 11pm.
In the morning, breakfast is at the beautifully reasonable 9-10am and you get a solid English breakfast with the usual tea and coffee, juice and cereal to send you on your way.
I had one of the most lovely evenings I’ve had in a long time at Chez Vous, I have no doubt I’ll return.
Levanah
xoxo
*Complimentary meal and overnight stay