Harden's says
Open from November 2025 – the son of one of the UK’s most famous chef’s charts his own course at the other end of the country from where his father Simon (whose famous L’Enclume sits in The Lakes). It’s actually his and his father’s home town and the 26-seater is the culmination of an ambition – and named for his children – to bring top-class cuisine to an area not famous for gastronomy. AO serves 7 and 10-course tasting menus at £95 per person and £125 per person, and a 3-course lunch for £55. Dishes include dry-aged loin of beef with coal oil, black garlic and tarragon; charred Jerusalem artichoke with herb verde cream; salt-baked celeriac with smoked eel, pancetta and apple jam; and Cornish cod with burnt leek, mussel butter and vanilla.
Harden's survey result
Summary
“Brilliant and thoughtful tasting menu comprised of dishes from locally sourced produced, all enhanced by knowledgeable staff and a great view onto the open kitchen” quickly won praise for Daniel (son of Simon) Rogan’s ambitious venue, which arrived at Sunnyfields Farm in Totton, close to the New Forest in December 2023 (six miles from its former location on Southampton’s London Road). More change is afoot though, and via Instagram in late summer 2024 he announced a temporary closure – “Not to worry though it is only whilst we make some very important adjustments that will be instrumental in our success for the future… We are very excited to show you what is next and have no doubt you are all going to love it”. So watch this space.
For 35 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 AO By Daniel Rogan?
22 Oxford Street, Southampton, SO14 3DJ
22 Oxford Street, Southampton, SO14 3DJ
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