Wouldn't it be wonderful if you could capture that holiday feeling - that warm blush of total relaxation that accompanies balmy summer evenings on the perfect summer break.

Well, I have discovered a place that has managed to do just that.

Dinner at The Montagu Arms Hotel in Beaulieu is like being transported instantly to some far flung hideaway - yet it has all the trappings of a traditionally British country house hotel.

From the moment you step into the remarkably exotic looking gardens, tucked away behind the hotel, and make your way over the sun terraces the feeling of tranquillity sets in.

By the time you are sipping a pre-dinner drink and nibbling some melt-in-the-mouth canapés in the candle-lit conservatory, the real world is a million miles away.

There's no doubt about it, dining at The Terrace restaurant is a real treat, from the fabulous food to the faultless service - perhaps that's why it was voted Hampshire Restaurant of the Year by Which? Good Food Guide 2007.

On our recent visit, my husband and I were thoroughly spoiled.

We were seated in the impressive wood-panelled dining room, overlooking the pretty gardens.

I opted for the Joselito ham and Isle of Wight asparagus to start - a delicious choice - while my husband Andrew tucked into his grilled red mullet and pickled vegetable relish.

There's something about the combination of flavours in a dish that tells you when you're tasting something a bit special and that rule certainly applied here.

Even the bread rolls (served warm and smothered in butter) were extra tasty with slivers of walnut buried inside.

The main courses were equally scrumptious.

My roast rack of lamb was accompanied by creamy potatoes, artichoke puree and tiny shavings of hazelnut.

Meanwhile Andrew enjoyed a ragout of rabbit with pastry leaves, mustard and crème fraiche.

While we chatted between courses, our water glasses seemed to fill themselves as waiters expertly noted when we needed a re-fill.

I'd like to say the dinner conversation was just as scintillating as our surroundings but unfortunately we were both so thrilled with our choices we fell uncharacteristically silent - another mark of truly fantastic food!

The highlight of dinner for me was the incredible dessert. It was a chocoholics paradise - a kind of volcano of warm chocolate sponge and fondant, oozing with molten, liquid marshmallow.

Each spoonful brought a new surprise as the marshmallow liquid centre turned to chocolate sauce and then uncovered some fresh raspberries buried deep in the centre - mmm.

A refreshing sorbet on the side was the perfect antidote to the richness of the chocolate.

Andrew's dessert was also an impressive affair - a white chocolate, raspberry and nougatine cheesecake mille feuilles with rose wine and berries jelly.

By the time we had nibbled our way though some cute petit fours and sipped our after dinner coffees we were well and truly satisfied.

There aren't many eateries that manage to combine impeccable service and luxurious surroundings with a comfortable and totally relaxed atmosphere but the Montagu Arms has got it just right.

At the end of the evening we reluctantly made our way back through the twinkling lights in the garden, feeling slightly envious of those dinner guests who were spending the night in their sumptuous hotel rooms.

A meal at The Terrace costs £42 for three courses or £48 for four courses. For information and booking, call 0845 1235613.

The Terrace, The Montagu Arms Hotel, Palace Lane, Beaulieu.

2:02pm Thursday 5th July 2007

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