Les Mirabelles, Nomansland (From Hampshire Society)

Les Mirabelles, Nomansland

2:55pm Wednesday 3rd February 2010

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)

It isn’t the most obvious of settings – but nestled in the heart of the leafy New Forest is a tiny little bit of France.

Just across the Hampshire border in the quaint, sleepy village of Nomansland sits Les Mirabelles, a French restaurant of the finest order guaranteed to make you fall head over heels in love with Gallic cuisine.

Quite a statement to make, you might be thinking. Well, don’t just take it from me.

The restaurant has been going strong for 13 years under the ownership of French owner Claude Laage, and on certain nights the waiting list is known to have extended to a whopping two months.

Claude came to England from Alsace 20 years ago and is something of a legend among locals, admired for his knowledge and understanding of wine, the classic French food he serves and his friendly but not overbearing personality.

Inside, it’s a cosy and welcoming set-up with all the panache of a top eatery.

We pick a Cabernet Sauvignon from the huge wine list and start perusing the mouth-watering menu, which includes classics such as scallops, fois gras, lamb shanks and sea bass.

We opt, however, for the amazingly wallet-friendly midweek set menu, offering two courses for £17.50 or three for £19.50.

Claude’s twist on a French staple, les escargots au beurre d’ail et pastis (snails with garlic butter and pastis) came served piping hot and the funny little gastropods taste great, as does the homemade bread which is swiftly dunked in the little garlicky pools they leave behind.

Equally exquisite is the generous crumble de chevre, legumes niçois pistou et parmesan (goats cheese, nicoise vegetables and pesto crumble), while the main course of confit de canard au fenouil caramélisé (crispy leg of duck with caramelised fennel) is as delicious as it sounds.

The same goes for the entrecote poele sauce au poivre vert (rib-eye steak with green pepper sauce), served beautifully pink alongside mini jacket potatoes and a heap of fresh vegetables.

As for dessert the crème brulée is sugary, custardy and utterly wonderful, as it should be.

But you can’t go to a French restaurant and not have cheese, and Les Mirabelles (which, incidentally, means plums) has an assiette de fromages to rival the best. It does cost an extra £2 but the huge selection merits its own stand, with some of the finest and beautifully stinky cheeses France produces.

In summary, the food was fabulous, the ambience comfortable, welcoming and inviting, the service superb and the bill £55 for two people.

Les Mirabelles could well be my new favourite restaurant.

• The set menu costs £17.50 for two courses and £19.50 for three, Tuesday to Thursday.

Les Mirabelles, Forest Edge Road, Nomansland. Tel: 01794 390205.

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)