Mastering the menu
Chef Edward Cracknell worked at The Woolpack Inn, Beckington and The Close Hotel in Tetbury before coming to The Master Builder’s in 2013, and his cooking is built around supplies of local produce – think fish from the south-coast boats, Hampshire meat, artisan cheeses and other provisions from the county. The menu in the Riverview Restaurant comprises smart, eclectic dishes with contemporary British overtones, and the results are a credit to the building and its setting. Also look out for the dedicated game menu (perhaps ballotine of pheasant with roast roots, buttered seasonal greens and blackcurrant jus). Pub grub, gargantuan deli platters and light snacks are served in the bar for those who want something to go with their pint of Ringwood ale, while alfresco BBQs are a summertime highlight.
On the menu
Smoked venison, wasabi, radish and balsamic onion £8
Poole Quay mackerel, pickled fennel and tomato terrine £8
Pan-seared sea bass, crab dumpling, watercress and potato broth £18.75
Roast veal, sweetbread croquette, wild mushroom ragoût, kale and Jerusalem artichoke dauphinoise £20
Iced nougat parfait and lime tart £7
Sunday Roasts
Two courses £19.95; three courses £23.50
Roast Hampshire beef, Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes and seasonal greens
Roast loin of pork, roast potatoes, seasonal greens, red wine jus and apple sauce
Roast turkey, roast potatoes and seasonal greens
Foodie extras
Summertime BBQs on the stone terrace overlooking the lawns offer a bumper haul of exotic seafood (tuna, king prawns etc), plus sweet chilli chicken, burgers and so on.
Time to eat
Breakfast: 8am - 10am
Lunch: 12 noon - 2.30pm (3pm Saturday & Sunday)
Dinner: 7pm - 9pm (9.30pm Friday & Saturday)
Local, local, local
Seafood - M&J Seafood, Dorset
Meat - County Foods, Poole
Eggs - Claytons Eggs, Romsey (www.claytonseggshampshire.co.uk)
Cheese, vodka - Godminster Farm (www.godminster.com)
Mushrooms - New Forest Mushrooms
Icecream – New Forest Icecreams (www.newforesticecreamltd.co.uk )
Real ales – Ringwood Brewery (www.ringwoodbrewery.co.uk)
Behind the bar
The Yachtsman's Bar is pubby and traditional to the core, with three real ales on tap, including two from Hampshire's Ringwood Brewery (Best and Old Thumper). Plenty of wines from the restaurant’s full list are also on offer, with something for every pocket: note the light, fresh Loire Sauvignon made by France’s smallest cooperative at £25 a bottle.
Bar snacks
Deli platters for sharing
Sandwiches and wraps
‘Lighter options’ (in two sizes) such as fishcakes, sun-blushed tomato and spinach gnocchi
The Galley hatch serves tea, coffee, hot chocolate, cake and Galleryman's until 6pm
Time at the bar
11am - 11pm