This week’s #FoodieFriends post is from Dan Ericsson, a friend from University. He has an excellent taste in all things food and drink and has written about The Pass restaurant at South Lodge Hotel in Sussex. Funnily enough, it’s a sister company to Pennyhill Park, which I wrote about earlier this week. Great foodie minds think alike ;)
Skate / red lentils / trompets – complementing the delightful silky skate, the foremost flavour here was from clusters of acidic grapefruit cells; this sharp tart jolt shot through the spiced lentils, earthy mushrooms and sweet umami kissed roasted shallots.
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This was the best meal I have ever eaten.
Firstly Ben Wilkinson at the pass is quite a new restaurant and a lot of these reviews are not reflective of this as I believe the restaurant has changed a lot since Covid. It has recently won a Michelin star and the current menu is deserving of this.
My wife and I had the 7 course tasting menu which was exquisite. The layout of the restaurant is also carefully thought out with glass surrounding an intimate setting so that you can watch the courses in the kitchen being prepared. Every course is completely unique and is delivered and explained to you by a different chef, who all rotate around the tables which I particularly liked.
The food speaks for itself. I won't list every course but the standout was the beef cheek and celeriac. Absolutely divine. The snacks which come before the first course were also out of this world.
We didn't opt for the wine pairing but enjoyed quite a few cocktails instead, all which were faultless.
The only downside to this is how full we both felt at the end; a very nice problem to have.
Having been to other Michelin star restaurants the Pass for me is the best so far, and the chilled out setting I actually prefer to something grander.
Overall an exceptional experience that I couldn't recommend highly enough.
Shout out to the amazing service at The Pass at south lodge - absolutely faultless and so friendly and welcoming. Food is v good but at this price point and with a michie the bar is set quite high. Dishes were tasty (turbot and beef particularly stood out), but I guess overall less inventive than other restaurants in this league. It’s solid, high end cooking for sure, but want a bit more wow factor to keep me coming back. Please also dim the lighting and make it a bit more cosier as can feel a bit bright and sterile especially as you’re all on high tables anyway. 14/20
We visited the newly opened The Pass by Ben Wilkinson and it was fantastic! The staff were so attentive and the way the restaurant was set up was amazing, you can see directly into the kitchen and see the team make the food. It was such a lovely experience and the good was incredible. We were celebrating a babymoon as-well as our first year wedding anniversary and we’re already looking at coming back next year. Not one to be missed!
What an absolutely fabulous dining experience. Each dish on the tasting menu was exquisite and delivered to our table by either Ben or one of his team, taking the time to talk us through the ingredients.
We have eaten at several Michelin Star restaurants and would rate this restaurant amongst the best of those.
We are already planning our next visit, excited to see how the dishes evolve as seasons change.
We wish Ben, his wife (who was so attentive and engaging in front of house) and his team the success and accreditation they truly do deserve
Very artistic and special experience! Get ready for a long night with 8/10 courses of their tasting menu. There is a vegetarian tasting menu as well!
The friendly staff and chefs came to explain every single course with a great attention to details!
We had a great experience at the Pass and would definitely come again. I do not share the opinions of the negative reviews. The service was exceptionally friendly, the food special ans delicious, and watching the chef was great.
Eaten here a few times, love the new look and feel. Tom is such a nice chap, as are the rest of the staff. Made us feel very welcome, we have always felt The Pass was 5/5 on previous visits but last night was the best menu yet. I liked that it had Japanese influences and a good amount of Fish. Thanks Tom and Team for making my Birthday one to remember
Great culinary experience! Amazing creative food! Service was brilliant with every dish explained so we had a great time! Would have given it a 5 stars if we hadn't been properly disappointed with the 100 quid per person wine matching flight... don't bother with it and get the wines you like off the menu as it's going to be better value
Eaten here twice and both times were exemplary! Would recommend the tasting menu to anyone and being able to watch the guys at work just added to the atmosphere. Knowledgeable and friendly staff too.
We had the six item tasting menu and wind pairing for lunch. The whole experience was faultless, excellent service from all staff, great confident presentations about the food as it was brought to the table by the kitchen staff and informed and sensational wine pairings from the sommelier. Fabulous.
Absolutely fabulous food, from start to finish. The staff were faultless, but there is a however. The wine flight was far too sweet for our liking, and the sommelier was overbearing, and immune to our comments, not suggesting any changes that would be more to our taste. So don't bother with the wine flight and choose from the very comprehensive wine list and you will have a very lovely evening
Wonderful, innovative and outstanding food. I urge you to take the wine pairing. It complemented the food superbly!
Matilda and Marco (And other very nice staff) helped make for a special evening. I was sceptical but pleasantly surprised by the well presented tasty food!
Super!
My family and I booked a table at The Pass for my fathers 60th birthday. We had the ten course tasting menu and wine. It was a truly magnificent evening with really creative and delicious food. The whole experience was very impressive with excellent service throughout. Liked that we could see the chefs in the kitchen. Wasn't so kean on the decor of the restaurant but it hardly matters as the food and drinks are superior.
Had the tasting menu for dinner. excellent hotel. quite like the open kitchen concept.
food was quite japanese influenced. however, because i was in japan for 4 years. I found that is actually a minus for me. I know what really good japanese food should taste like.
I went to Sorrel the next day. sorry to named to competition but I do prefer the food there.
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