Starling Bistro - (Near , South East)

5 /5 Richard Appleton: A pretty perfect dining experience, the food is absolutely outstanding and the starters/snacks are wonderfully varied and inventive, and all superb. Particular mention to the tuna starter and the cheese crumpet. The service is slick but not intrusive but the restaurant still retains a relaxed small town feel. The wine list is extensive without being stupidly sized with an excellent variety in both taste and price with plenty of options by the glass if preferred. It wasn’t worth reducing to a 4* review but if one was being extremely picky I would say the main course options were relatively limited outside of pure meat dishes (one fish, no vegetarian) and the portions are not huge, but that’s somewhat to be expected with food of this quality. Will visit again for sure

5 /5 Pun: I’m always a bit sceptical of restaurants that get a star within a year of opening, but Starling Bistro has set a precedence for relaxed fine dining. Lovely restaurant, very chilled, all the staff were professional and fun, and the food was heavenly. Nick and the team have done a superb job. The no-frills a-la-carte approach makes it such a welcoming prospect. We thoroughly enjoyed our meal, and for the quality of food, service, location and choice, it’s no wonder it obtained a star so quickly. And to top it off, it doesn’t break the bank, so you don’t leave in a hot sweat. The cheese crumpet and prawn scotch egg were particular highlights, and the plaice was cooked to perfection. Half way through the meal, I was tempted to order more just because it was so good! Would highly recommend, one of my favourite meals of the year!

5 /5 Lee Hawkins: Amazing lunch. Nice welcome. Friendly staff serving. Friendly chefs in the very calm open kitchen. Food was divine. So many layers to the flavours. The cheek with the pork was a top ten taste in my recent memory. Amazing. Lad that waited on us was interested and interesting in conversation and good knowledge of the food and guests.

5 /5 Michael Stockwell: We went to Starling for my partners birthday and it was amazing, the food was out of this world, every bite will bring a smile, and a sense of wonder, ‘how do they make it taste like that’, it is an incredible culinary journey, it comes with a price tag but in our view worth every penny. The service was outstanding, we were very well looked after by the welcoming, kind and attentive staff. It really was a lovely experience. Very special and one we will not forget.

5 /5 Joshua Bush: A Michelin worthy dining experience from start to finish. Starling Bistro delivers a memorable experience on all levels. On the recommendation of some good friends, I flew from the states to get one the best Sunday Roasts around. I loved the neighborhood and the décor of the restaurant. The color palette and design was so welcoming and simple yet sophisticated. Sitting at the counter gave me a front row seat to Chef Nick Beardshaw and his exceptional team. Their precision, calm focus, and effortless coordination were mesmerizing to watch. The staff were engaged, helpful, and genuinely delightful. I loved their recommendations and expert wine pairing. They all brought warmth and ease to an already outstanding evening. We began with a couple of their “snacks,” and both were unforgettable. The Truffle Cheese Crumpets had a generous truffle aroma and taste yet remained perfectly balanced. They were rich without ever being overwhelming. The shaved Parmesan on top looked like freshly fallen snow and added a beautifully savory and salty note that melted into the creamy base of the dish. The Duck Liver Parfait Waffle was another standout. The parfait was silky, creamy, and deeply flavorful, while the waffle served as the perfect vessel with its crisp texture adding just the right amount of contrast. For our main course, we enjoyed the traditional Sunday Roast, which was easily one of the best roasts I have ever had. The dry aged beef was tender, perfectly cooked, and full of developed flavor. The savory gravy tied everything together beautifully. The Yorkshire pudding struck a wonderful balance between chewy middle and flaky crispy exterior. The sides of cauliflower cheese, Brussels tops, and heritage carrots were comforting and thoughtfully prepared. Every bite just as delicious as the previous one. I didn’t want the meal to end. From the extraordinary food to the warm and attentive service and the immersive counter experience, Starling Bistro shows Michelin level mastery in every detail. If possible, book a seat at the counter for a front row view into true culinary craftsmanship. Dinner and a show!