Yesterday, I really started the weekend right with a delicious lunch at Neo in Bournemouth. Meeting lifestyle blogger Emma, from Bournemouth Bloggers to eat for the second time in a week might seem a little bit indulgent, however, sometimes that's just how the cookie crumbles.
Neo is in a fantastic position on Exeter Road just a short walk from the beach and just opposite Bournemouth International Centre, their terrace also has great views over the Bournemouth Gardens. The building itself is hard to miss with its circular glass fronted exterior and once inside you can't help but notice the Art Deco styling.
Emma and I had been invited to review the new A La Carte menu, I have been to the restaurant several times for events/drinks and food, I have always had excellent food and service and today proved to be more of the same.
Staff were very attentive from the moment we arrived (although we were the first to arrive for the lunch service) We decided on a nice bottle of Pinot Grigio whilst we had a look at the menus,
the set menu is really good value;
1 course £14
2 courses £19
3 courses £24
All of Emma's food came from this menu.
I find it hard to resist the bread an oil/balsamic dipping before we had ordered, note to self (must try harder next time).
The portions on both starters are generous as you can see from my photographs, the scallops were a decent size and accompanied by pork belly and fennel & pea shoot salad it made a really lovely starter. Emma really enjoyed the Ham Hock Terrine but neither of us could make up our mind what the green part was. (Neo?) The orchard chutney complimented the terrine perfectly, another hit starter.
My pan fried duck breast was the best I have had in a long time, beautifully tender and complimented perfectly by the sweetness of a peach relish. More usually served as a filling Autumn dish the duck looked like summer on my plate and was really light to eat.
The Rosemary & Lemon Chicken was also beautifully presented and didn't last long either, Emma tried radishes & scallops for the first time today and although she wasn't convinced about the scallops I think its great that is going to buy some radishes for her children to try.
How beautiful did my dessert look?
A simple plate of chargrilled pineapple - but the flavour combined with the mix of fruit and hint of lime & chilli in the syrup was delicious. The coconut sorbet just topped it off. How the chef slices pineapple that thinly I will never know.
Triple chocolate brownie - a girl's best friend.
The guys behind the bar at NEO are well known for their cocktails so to finish off our meal we had a Pornstar Martini & an Expresso Martini, what a wonderful end to the week and start of the weekend.
Thank you NEO - same time next week?
NEO also offers Private dining and has a conference/meeting space. Follow the link to their website for more details.
Exeter Road
Bournemouth
01202 203610
Our lunch was complimentary for the purpose of an honest review. All photos and opinions are my own.