Camellia - (Near , South East)

1 /5 Loubna Hadid: Ordered aged steak on the bone. It was a disaster. Pictures speak louder than words. Meat was extremely badly cooked - we returned it twice and eventually gave up. It’s my wedding anniversary - so we feasted on warm bread and butter. Venue is nice but I don’t recommend eating here

3 /5 Roger Highfield: Great hotel, fab spa but avoid Camellia. More expensive than a Michelin starred restaurant, and nowhere near as good. The food is overwrought, not that great (fish was dried out in my main course) and there’s not much of it (no amuse bouches despite the eye watering set menu price). This restaurant is the product of too many customers on expenses, killing an evening before heading to Gatwick Airport, rather than people who are really interested in food. It would have closed in London, or anywhere without a captive audience. Avoid, along with the equally overpriced bar, and head over the road to the Crabtree pub where you’ll pay one third of the price for a good unfussy meal that’s excellent value.

5 /5 Crystal Hirschorn: Absolutely gorgeous and divine food, with attentive service that isnt over the top. Highly recommended for special occasions where you arent spending a fortune but also getting an amazing meal and wine. My husband and I are vegetarian and had the 3-course menu. As vegetarians for the starters and mains, you are limited to one choice (which they could look to expand for vegans and vegetarians in future) but it didnt matter as the dishes tasted as divine as they looked. My highlight was the starter of heirloom tomatoes, tomato consommé, ewes milk cream, topped with wild herbs and edible flowers. Just stunning! Thank you to Lucas who was a fantastic waiter.

5 /5 Amy Saunders: We recently visited to try Tom Hamblet’s Masterchef menu and it exceeded all expectations! The restaurant itself was in a stunning and peaceful location. The service was outstanding. The waiters were extremely attentive and friendly, without being pushy. The prawn and lobster starters were full of flavour and a ‘must try’. The star of the show for me just had to be the beef main. Possibly the best dish I’ve ever had! Loved the beef and oyster tartare that it came with too. Both chocolate puddings were full of flavour and absolutely delicious. This really was a once in a lifetime meal and I would recommend Tom’s food to anyone!

5 /5 Guys Who Dine: Dinner Tom Hamblet x Camellia. The Champion of Master Chef UK: The Professionals 2023.A menu inspired by his time on the show. Theres no guesses why we were in this part of the UK.The beautiful hotel with stunning countryside? Well, that might be one of the reasons. Another was to experience some amazing food cooked by Tom Hamblet, who has taken up residency of the Camellia Restaurant from January to the end of March. A three course A la Carte menu £85. With options to add extras. For starters, we chose: Prawns.Gambero rosso prawns, celery sorbet, tomato fondue,olive, gazpacho. Roasted scallop, Jerusalem artichoke puree, marigold oil, artichoke crisps, pastry tube with buttermilk, and artichoke mousse. We had to have the extra course of Lobster, curried carrot puree, lobster, ginger and chilli bisque, potato,mango and caper salad, lime vinaigrette. £35. Which we shared between us. Mains were obviously the TURBOT. Poached turbot topped with a fish mousse, potatoes, caviar, baby leeks,cornichon beurre blanc. And the beef fillet, oyster mushrooms, lovage emulsion, pané oyster, salsify,braised beef cheek, oyster, and beef tartare.£10 supplement. A side of Creamed potato, English winter truffle, pecorino.£9.50. Desserts. Chocolate and peanut mousse, feuilletine base, mascarpone Chantilly, nibbed peanut tuille, torched bananas, miso caramel Olive oil sponge, set lemon curd, olive oil jam, crème fraiche, fennel pollen tuille, toasted fennel seed ice cream. As Marcus Wareing would say, "Cant fault it, absolutely delicious." It was a great evening with the restaurant full to capacity, and the staff were totally on the ball,even though they were run off their feet.