A stone’s throw from historic Hampton Court, once home to Henry VIII, the 1665 Brasserie invites you to enjoy breathtaking views as you savour a delightful dining experience, even on a grey day when nobody, except a couple of swans, is messing about on the river.
Built in 1665 for overflow visitors to the Palace and transformed into an inn in the early 18th century, it was renamed “The Mitre Hotel” to attract an elite clientele from the capital.
1665 Brasserie reimagines Great British staples, delivering innovative cuisine and revitalising timeless stories, and we weren’t disappointed. Executive chef Mark Jarvis explained his passion for classic innovation was stimulated early in his career by his mentor Raymond Blanc.
We began by choosing our mains and immediately zeroed in on the Pepper-Crusted Hampshire Venison Loin. Well, you can’t go to Hampton Court without checking out the venison, can you? Loved the soused blackberries. Definitely a dish fit for a king! With the exchequer a little flat, we went for the Gilthead Bream, which turned out to be an excellent investment. Then focussed on our starters: Confit Duck Leg Fritter with Dark Plum Sauce & creamy celeriac, and Roast and Pickled Heritage Beetroots. It’s the little details that count – the ratio of goat’s cheese to beets is often a giveaway, but at 1665, it was perfect, with horseradish whipped into the Ragstone a delicious foil to the beets.
We didn’t have much room left for pudding. Still, in the interests of research, we couldn’t resist the Crème Brûlée Cheesecake with cassis sorbet and the Rouxle’s Chocolate Nemesis with Blackberry Compote and hazelnut ice-cream. We may have to go back in the summer, just to check these were as good as we remember.
The non-alcoholic cocktails were very inviting, so we tried Cherry Mountain. Imagine bubble-gum with angostura bitters – sounds awful, tastes delicious. (Actually Everleaf Mountain, Apple Juice, Cherry Syrup, Vanilla Syrup, Lime)
A lovely fresh 2023 Ruta 49 Albariño, went down well with the bream, and a wonderful 2022 Primitivo di Manduria accompanied the venison.
The service here is exceptional, special thanks to Vinnie, Andrew and Morgan.
The Mitre is on Hampton Court Road, East Molesey, Surrey, KT8 9BN
Telephone: 020 8979 9988
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