Harden's says
On the site of Little Dudley House, the third solo venture from well-known local chef and Roux scholar Steve Drake (of Drake’s on the Pond and Drake’s).
Harden's survey result
Summary
“You begin to wish you could dine on the amuse-bouches alone they are so good, and then along comes a stunning meal and contentment reigns!” – Steve Drake’s “brilliantly presented and superbly tasty cuisine” delivers consistently “wonderful and creative dishes” at his “lovely if slightly formal” 40-seater, with fans crossing the county to get here. Now two years old, it still feels like a relatively new arrival here since he relocated from Ripley. “Staff are invested in the place” too – “they have a detailed knowledge of the plates, are helpful and engaging without being fussy and intrusive”.
Summary
“You begin to wish you could dine on the amuse-bouches alone they are so good, and then along comes a stunning meal and contentment reigns!” – Steve Drake’s “brilliantly presented and superbly tasty cuisine” delivers consistently “wonderful and creative dishes” at his “lovely if slightly formal” 40-seater, with fans crossing the county to get here. Now two years old, it still feels like a relatively new arrival here since he relocated from Ripley. “Staff are invested in the place” too – “they have a detailed knowledge of the plates, are helpful and engaging without being fussy and intrusive”.
Summary
“The move from Ripley has worked” and Steve Drake is producing “phenomenal” cooking in his new 40-cover yearling – “an outstanding venture that maintains and even exceeds his former high standards”. “Stunning, innovative dishes are meticulously prepared” and “he conjures up amazing flavours” (e.g. “beetroot, Douglas fir, sesame and goats’ cheese packed a refreshing punch; tartare of venison with smoked egg yolk and orange purée was a rich smoky creamy mouth adventure; pre-dessert of carrot tobacco with coconut ice cream and lime gel was one of my top ten desserts; but just wait for the blackberry Waldorf!”). “Service is top-notch and the environment warm and friendly”. Top Tip: “a very good value set lunch menu”. Also “parking is tricky, so allow some time if you cannot get into the small adjacent car park”.
Summary
In October 2017, Steve Drake (who established nearby Drakes, now re-named The Clock House) opened his new, 40-cover fine dining venture, with open kitchen, of which the highlight is a 9-course taster menu (but there is a 5-course alternative), showcasing British cuisine. “Obviously there will be a few similarities [with Drakes] but I want to move it on”.
For 30 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Sorrel?
Restaurant details
Sorrel Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Superb local restaurant serving high quality innovative cuisine with some surprising ingredient combinations. Worth making the trip to Dorking for. "
"My highest score ever for an exceptional restaurant - faultless"
"Booked my table by phone and they almost offered me an unusual service! I booked a table for one, but they made it a two, I asked them if they were providing a date! The whole experience is superbly Covid secure, organised beautifully and efficiently things do take a little longer but hey it’s fine dining why rush? Beautiful amuse Bouche the second best liver parfait after Heston, and trust me that’s a huge compliment. Every dish was delicious, Beautifully presented delicious and explained. Special mention for the tomato tea, sensational flavour. Frankly every course was wonderful Staff efficient and helpful, food delivered at appropriate speed, no rushing, time to breathe between courses. The ginger cordial was a perfect accompaniment to the food. Toilet small but immaculate. Had a lovely chat with head chef a really interesting guy filled with passion for his work, stunningly immaculate kitchen. Was it worth the three hour round trip? .......oh yes!"
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch | £45.00 |  |
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| Dinner | £65.00 | |
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| Drinks |
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|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £26.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £4.00 |
| Extras |
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| Service | 12.50% |
77 South Street, Dorking, RH4 2JU
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | CLOSED |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑8:30 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑8:30 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑8:30 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑8:30 pm |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
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