Terroir Tapas (EOTHO)

Despite being a little nervous to start eating out again, I can happily report that everywhere I’ve visited so far (The Cliff House in Barton, Cliff House Hotel in Southbourne and Cliffhanger in Highcliffe…all the cliffs) have been so reassuringly ON IT, my nerves have gone. Plus, those places were all chosen for their outdoor seating options.

Lastnight I visited the first of many places as part of the government’s Eat Out To Help Out scheme. We chose Terroir Tapas in Southbourne, as it’s been a long while since I was last there and I have very happy memories of the great food and wine.

From wines on tap to dining tables made from compressed yogurt pots, the guys are doing all they can to eliminate waste, chemicals and reduce their carbon footprint. They grow their own herbs on site using hydroponic and aquaponic systems. Every dish on the menu includes food miles - the distance travelled from supplier to restaurant. Much of the lovely fruit and veg comes from Sopley Farm.

We had four sharing size plates between two of us:

• Globe artichoke fritatta with an IOW green tomato ketchup

• Pan con tomate - homemade sourdough with IOW Coeur de Boeuf tomatoes

• Hispi cabbage with a fine herb crumb, truffled mayo and pickled radish

• Grilled halloumi marinated in blackberries and chilli pepper jam, coated with crispy oats,  blackberry powder and fresh coriander

Plus we shared an incredible rich, intense and DELICIOUS chocolate pot for dessert, which the menu assured me was helping towards protecting the last mountain gorillas. Well, I like to do my bit. You’re welcome, gorillas.

All the dishes were pretty, tasty and creative, but it was the hispi cabbage that stole the show. The smokey flavours mixed with crunchy crumb, rich mayo and face-achingly pickled radish was nothing short of sublime.