Where: 57 Shore Road West Wittering, Chichester, West Sussex PO20 8DY, 01243 672 754
What they say: “Samphire is a restaurant where we want the ingredients to speak for themselves. Here on the South Coast, we’re lucky to have a wealth of produce on our doorstep and aspire to buy the highest quality, together with as much locally sourced fish, meat, fruit and veg in order to make, quite simply, delicious fresh food. Our aim is for the produce to get from the gate to the plate as quickly and as efficiently as possible so our chefs can create great dishes as you like it. As a result, our Lunch and Dinner Menu’s are small and change daily!”
Who goes: Locals who appreciate good food and locally caught produce and out-of-towners in search of good, fresh food at a price they couldn’t find in London.
What to wear: With its antique and vintage feel, anything goes at Samphire really. Whilst the team will certainly appreciate it if you go in your Friday finest, cool casual goes down just as well.
What to order: Well the question really should be what not to order. From the handmade bread when you arrive to the fresh coffee at the end, everything, and we mean everything, at this restaurant is worth ordering. With the sea literally on the doorstep, the fish is so fresh you can practically taste the sea and with offerings such as an roasted mackerel wrapped in parma ham filled with asparagus and sea vegetables, served with cheesy new potato mash and a clam and samphire veloute you will find it hard to resist. Equally, for meat lovers out there, dishes such as slow roasted pork belly rolled with a St George mushroom and black pudding stuffing with butternut squash and spinach, a bacon and tomato jus and vegetable crisps had us licking our lips with glee for quite some time. On to puddings and with offerings such as rhubarb, apple and berry crumble with custard and mixed berry eton mess, Samphire’s puddings are a real test of your willpower. Being the gluttons that my husband and I are, we ordered three and shared between us. A fine ending to a fine meal.
What Cocosa says: Samphire is the kind of restaurant you wish you had round the corner. As well as the food being plate lickingly good, thanks to a fun and friendly staff, the atmosphere inside Samphire is like being around old friends. Excellent food, wine and service – what more could a person want?