Harden's survey result
Summary
“I might have walked past if I hadn‘t been looking for it” – David Wykes opened his small contemporary fish bistro supplied from a “small, one-man open kitchen” in 2010. Despite its modest size, it’s nowadays one of the top-100 most commented-on venues in our annual diners’ poll thanks to its “exceptional fish dishes, presented with flair and imagination”. “You choose the number of courses you want, and say if there is anything you don’t like and then the most amazing fish just keeps coming” to create a “unique and outstanding food experience”. “Chef is keen to emphasise at any opportunity, everything is made in house with lots of interesting spices and flavourings, many made from his own foraging expeditions”. “It’s quite simple in décor and unpretentiously welcoming” (but while “the space is comfortable, when a large group arrives it can become near deafening”). Many reports suggest that “all fish lovers need to experience Verveine at least once”… “I live a couple of hours away, but I’ll certainly be back again soon!”
Summary
“Constantly innovative, super-fresh fish dishes” from chef-patron David Wykes have established this “small, warm space” with an in-house fishmonger as a true “destination restaurant”, invariably hailed as a “great discovery” by first-time visitors. The “outstanding tasting menus” are presented in an unusual format, with guests nominating the number of courses but not their content. They arrive with “imaginative accompaniments” and “charming, attentive service”.
Summary
David Wykes has carved out a unique niche over a dozen years with his “intimate and innovative seafood restaurant”, “almost hidden behind the fish-shop in front” – the source of its “delicious fresh fish”. It’s an “interesting concept”, too: “you choose the number of courses (2, 3 or 6 at lunch; 4, 6 or 8 at dinner) and are then served whatever the chef is cooking that day”. “Staff clearly love the place and not only announce the food but can talk to you about how it is cooked”.
Summary
“Stunning food with great – very visual – and excellent service” makes this “very sociable” small restaurant opened by David Wykes in 2010 a favourite for many reporters. Having an in-house fishmonger ensures “wonderfully fresh ingredients” on your plate.
For 33 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 Verveine Fishmarket Restaurant?
98 High St, Milford-on-Sea, SO41 0QE
Restaurant details
Verveine Fishmarket Restaurant Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Verveine has a range of tasting menus including a very reasonable 6 course one at lunchtime for £43. But I'm yet to try these as the dishes on their £29 3-course lunch menu looked so tempting. A starter of deep sea prawns with grapes and nuts was outstandingly fresh and tasty and mains of Cod and Hake were also excellent. As chef David Wykes is keen to emphasize at any opportunity everything is made in house with lots of interesting spices and flavourings many made from his own foraging expeditions. A very tasty Tonka bean themed dessert featured a panna cotta, an ice cream and whirls of flavoured cream with apricot puree. The restaurant is quite simple in décor (a plus in my books especially if it helps keep prices accessible) and unpretentiously welcoming. It's a couple of hours round trip to Milford from home but I'll certainly be back again soon! "
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch | £25.00 | £29.00 |  |
|
|
| Cost | Availability | Courses | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Menu1 | 55.00 | Always available | 4 |
| Menu2 | 75.00 | Always available | 6 |
| Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £31.50 |
| Filter Coffee | £3.00 |
| Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 10.00% |
98 High St, Milford-on-Sea, SO41 0QE
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑1:45 pm, 6 pm‑9:15 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑1:45 pm, 6 pm‑9:15 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑1:45 pm, 6 pm‑9:15 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑1:45 pm, 6 pm‑9:15 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑1:45 pm, 6 pm‑9:15 pm |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
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