Restaurant AO in Southampton

The restaurant from the outside does not seem much but you could therefore say it is a hidden gem. The 5 course tasting menu was excellent, with each course very tasty and well prepared. Service was very good, with each course described in detail by the helpful staff. Although each portion size was small, by the end of the meal we were full. We will certainly look to return in the near future. The cost of the meal was reasonable and in line with what you would expect to pay for the quality you received.

I had just about given up hope of finding a great restaurant in Hampshire. There used to be a couple that have lost their Michelin Stars, but recently….? So it was with some anticipation my wife, friends and I went to AO for their evening sampler menu. What a pleasure. The food was brilliantly crafted and presented. A couple of dishes were slightly under seasoned to me but hey, I love salt. I had the accompanying wine fleet, I would question a couple of the choices. Challenging, thought provoking or just wrong? Interesting discussion with the Sommelier, who was very attentive. All in all a great experience. I’d suggest people go there before the Michelin star is awarded (soon methinks) and the prices inevitably go up.

We had a lovely evening at AO last week. Welcoming staff and overall very delicious food. However, there is definitely room for improvement. Given the styling and name above the door, you know this place is striving for a Michelin star and I would love to see this happen! My favourite courses were the Old Winchester, Langoustine, Scallop (perfection) & cod (although too salty when not eaten with the muscles) dishes. Absolutely fantastic. Shepherds Pie, the lamb was full of rich flavour. However, the aerated béchamel style sauce lacked temperature. This was also emphasised by the boiling hot hunk of bread it was served with. Which was so hot, the butter ran straight off and it made the main feel tepid in contrast. The pre-dessert was tasty but icy in texture. The main dessert we struggled to get our spoon through as the top layer of chocolate was so thick it took some force and the crumb then flew everywhere. Delicious though! Than the petit fours. Dare I say it but they were a sad end to what was largely a wonderful meal. I think they had probably sat on a hot pass. The salted caramel one was soft. The beetroot heart was sadly terrible. Too sweet and soapy. The texture was not of a smooth truffle but of a gritty near Turkish delight and it got all stuck round your teeth. Finally the service. It started so well and we didn’t do the wine pairing but a shout out the the sommelier who looked incredibly attentive, friendly and full of knowledge. However, the time between courses was too long. Especially as our time wasn’t taken up by the wine pairing. We were seated just before 8pm and made the mistake of looking at the time at 10:30pm. The waiting staff spent a lot of time hanging in and around the kitchen chatting as we waited for our final courses and we ended up watching them as we waited. I appreciate this is an experience and not fast food, but we were shocked to be there still at midnight and we were struggling for energy as we’re not big drinkers. Overall service could be more a tailored & consistent experience to guests. These are small negatives in the grand scheme and shouldn’t overshadow the many positives from the evening and we will definitely be back one day.

Absolutely blown away by this place . The food is outstanding , the setting is beautiful and the service top notch! The staff are very knowledgeable & great to chat to. It was a busy evening but all still very calm and walking around with a smile ( especially Sophie 😊) . Barry , the restaurant manager is excellent too. I have never tasted so many lovely flavours that work so well and the shepherds pie was to die for !!!! We will definitely be back - Thanks again team AO , simply stunning 😍

Very high standard of cookery, which I appreciated, even if not always to my taste. The joy of a tasting menu is that even if you don't really enjoy a course, the are plenty more. Excellent service; Very high quality and interesting stories around the food and drink. As a local, I'm not sure if I'd attend frequently, since the menu is slow to change. The low point was the final serving of tea: this was done American style: a cup of not boiling water with a teabag in a packet beside the cup; left me feeling less happy, but didn't stop it being a five star meal.

We went for the stunning 10 course tasting menu. We would have taken photos of more of the courses but frankly I was so distracted by enjoying what was served sometimes I forgot! We have never had a pairing wine menu before and did not regret it. We were entertained by great descriptions of the various wine regions and how the wine came to be. It brought an additional element of wonder to the food experience 1 barbecued Celeriac Goat's Curd Tartlet Lovely crispy like Crispy seaweed on top , the currant goat curd made smoky by the smoked celeriac. If that was vegetables I'd defo get my 5 a day! An explosion of flavour after the crispy texture. 2. Chalk Stream Trout , Beetroot, Dill A very pretty "snack" The crispy outer just strong enough to carry its ingredients friends The smoked trout is the star that creeps up on you like a Ninja full off flavour Then melts in your mouth 3 old Winchester Cheddar Chive Advised to eat in one go Warming cube of cheesy delight. And gone in a flash! 4 Langoustine carrot Pear Very fresh langoustines Very lightly smoked with pops of citrus from the picked pear and delicious bisque. I think the bowel is designed that way to prevent the temptation of licking it!! The first wine Before eating is a little more citrus , after drinking with the above it was very smooth The very picturesque description of where it lives in Sicily and why it tastes the way it does was very educational. Plus I think Sicily will be on our holiday list 5 Shepards pie Very tender lamb The cheesy potato foam so luxurious and velvety and then the sweet greenery lightens it up so you go for another spoonful. They gave us homemade sourdough bread to mob it up with . 6 Scallop Cauliflower with pork The scallop was so very tender that it just melted in the mouth. the pancetta was a lovely Umami crispness. The Pork cheek is so deep in fabulous flavour but the cauliflower almost sweetening that up a bit like pork and apple The creamy brown shrimp sauce scoops up all the flavours You know what the flavour family is of what you're eating because of the wine. The sauces made it less fruity 7 Cod Mussels Champagne sauce Cod crusty top with almost translucent melt in mouth texture Muscles are so sweetly pickled with the salty crust and the pops of orangey saltiness of the cod row. Absolutely delicious The wine was so multi layered before the fish and then fitted in so well Then feels quite sweet after eating the dish 8 White Park Beef, Artichoke, Rascoff, The spots of Black garlic With the artichoke wrapped in Onion that is sweet with the excellent gravy complimented the beef so well. The tear and share mini brioche with beef dripping topping and beef dripping butter great was a great naughty treat for mopping it all up. 9 Sheep's Milk Blackberry Honey It was like a Cheesy frozen yoghurt with a fantastic blackberry at the centre. What with the doilie great pallet cleanser 10 White Chocolate Caramel Malt with a delicate honeycomb piece of geometry. Caramel white Chocolate Delicious sweet delight. It was a fantastic meal from I believe the best restaurant in the New Forest. We found this restaurant by chance and our only regret is not finding it sooner!

I had heard good things about AO but nothing could have prepared me for the night I just had. A lovely venue at Sunnyfields Farm, you are greeted by one of the friendly and attentive staff. The restaurant itself is well presented with a relaxed feel to it. Some taster menu type restaurants can feel stuffy but this was the complete opposite but still with an air of elegance. The ten course taster menu lived up to the hype with each course perfectly presented, executed and knowledgable staff. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone who wants to listen. Daniel and his team should be proud of what they have achieved in such a short space of time and we look forward to returning again soo. Thank you.

One of the very best meals we can remember. Every course was outstanding, boy this guy can cook! The presentation of the food was top drawer and the flavours were just as good. The service was attentive but not invasive and the staff were genuinely friendly. Tables were well spaced giving a feeling of privacy and we were beside a rather nice wood burning stove. Shame we aren’t closer or this would be a regular!

We had the five course lunch tasting menu which was excellent. The staff were knowledgeable about each course and the sommelier commentary on the wine pairing enthusiastic and engaging.

We had another exceptional meal at A/O. The food was absolutely BRILLIANT. Every course (and there were many) was creatively executed with fresh, subtle and flavorful ingredients. The wine pairings were excellent as well. All members of the staff were enthusiastic, friendly and professional. They had just moved locations days prior, so the dining room decor was fairly simple. That being said, it was still lovely. In addition, the new location allows guests to watch the meal preparation. Highly recommended. I hope Michelin stops by soon, because A/O deserves to be acknowledged.

We visited Restaurant AO in their new location at Sunnyfields Farm and had a truly excellent experience. The staff were fantastic, the service was just right, the food was out of this world good and even the drinks were meticulously prepared and delicious. We've honestly never had a meal where we've enjoyed every mouthful as much as we did here.

Southampton struggles a bit offering fine dining. This was a find!! Lovely setting, ambient lighting in this small but cosy venue, with amazing food. The host and staff very attentive, a lot of restaurants fall down in this area these days, this really added to the experience as you were never waiting to order or be served. The tasting menu was divine, lots of variation and offered something different & fun, I’d recommend to friends. If I was to make a minor critique, the wine menu could of been slightly better & broader to enhance the experience further for the 🍷 wine lover and maybe add a few flagship super Tuscans for the special occasions.

Had a fabulous meal at Restaurant AO last night. Fantastic flavours, great attentive staff, we’ll become regulars! Southampton has been put on the gastronomic map. The attention to detail was superb the flavours and wine pairing couldn’t be faulted. Well done to Dan, Stu and the team.

If you're in Southampton we can highly recommend this place, owned and run by Daniel Rogan. Great flavours, excellent attention to detail and terrific staff, friendly and knowledgeable. Table 5 is right by the pass so you get to see how hard these guys work

I Loveed!!! The celeriac and goats cheese! The children loved the white chocolate. It has to be said the scallop was a winner all round! I loved how you are trying to make it an enjoyable experience, putting so much thought from concept to plate. It showed through from staff to the taste, it’s been a while to literally taste passion in the food in Hampshire!!!

We had the most wonderful meal here last night, the food, presentation, care put into it and all the varied flavours in each varied course were second to none. This was enhanced further by a wonderful team of staff who were friendly and extremely helpful and knowledgeable. The service was a spot on and atmosphere was relaxed and buzzy. Can’t recommend highly enough!

The tasting menu was a journey of flavours that left my taste buds dancing. From the tantalizing appetizers to the heavenly desserts, each course was a masterpiece! The wine pairings were spot on, enhancing every dish's flavours. It's amazing how the right wine can elevate a meal to a whole new level! AO Restaurant created an unforgettable night of culinary excellence, and I can't wait to return for!

If you are looking for a real gastronomic experience in Southampton, then Restaurant AO is the place to go! You could easily miss the entrance of the restaurant, but once you’re in, you enter in a different world. Fantastic atmosphere, very intimate. Service is excellent, with waiters and waitresses explaining all the courses and making sure you have everything you need. The courses are superb both in term of appearance and taste Price for 2 people with 2 glasses of champagne, 2 small glasses of white wine and 2 bottles of water: £246, service included. (worth every penny) Highly recommend

Creativity and excellence. Relaxed fine dining that simply cannot be replicated on any level at home. New restaurant worth supporting for genuine gourmets. Deserves Michelin ratings asap

I absolutely loved everything about AO! The food is little morsels of perfection - we thoroughly enjoyed every course! We were in the restaurant a total of 4 hours, never were we rushed and never did the food or drinks feel rushed.

Booked a Vegetarian Tasting Menu for our wedding anniversary. The food was excellent…beautifully prepared and bursting with flavour. Service was impeccable too. We really enjoyed the AO dining experience.

I had bought my now wife a voucher for her birthday so wanted to make it a special treat date. I had booked for a Friday night (lucky to have got a table as advised are booked until August) and really not surprised, On arrival you’re greeted by very welcoming and professional people that make the effort to make you feel special. Being shown to our table we were able to see the kitchen at work, something we have seen at a few Michelin star restaurants. It’s great as you see them work in cooking and watching the finer details. Having chooses our wine we were given our 3 pre starters to taste. I must say all three had very different and were very nice. We knew we were in for an evening of great surprises and great food. The next course was some sourdough bread with 3 different butters, vert nice flavours. Our starter was called Jersey Royal, a small yet very flavourful dish with the accompanying sauce. The fish dish was Cod, a very lovely dish and with great flavours. Next course was Lamb, again with a sauce that was delicious. With an accompanying‘shepherds pie’ but not a normal one, something with superb flavours. All working together so well. After a little break the next was our first of deserts, a New Forest strawberry with Cicely, it was another delicious and refreshing dish. The next desert was a apple, caramel and malt, again flavours that were very delicious. To finish we had a latte with some different petit fours, very lovely. We had a excellent experience throughout the evening, staff were always very informative of the menu and talked us through each course. All dishes are presented very well indeed and look fantastic on the plate. I’ve tried several fine dine restaurants and this place is up with the top. Highly recommend to anyone wanting a fine dine restaurant and great experience. We will definitely return and recommend to others. PhillSQ Southampton

Exceptional dining experience prestentaion , service and of course quality and taste was pure art . Can’t recommend highly enough

The food was beautifully presented and tasted just as good if not better. The wine pairing complimented each course very well and the service was friendly, informative and attentive. My only gripe was that I wanted more! I would love to see an A la carte menu offered in the future so I could have more of my favourites from the tasting menu. Highly recommend a visit.

A last minute decision to book as my son arrived unexpectedly from London. He found these reviews and we decided to indulge in a tasting menu. We loved it all. Even the cutlery, plates and glasses were beautiful and fascinating. Have the wine pairings and just enjoy the whole thing. We will be back. Well done all and thanks.

We visited here on Friday and it was a truly wonderful experience. I am Simon Rogan's cousin and have wanted to visit L'Enclume but as it is such a long way to drive, we decided to give this a go and we were not disappointed....

Wow, what a wonderful restaurant this is. The food was incredible, beautifully presented with the most amazing flavours. The wine pairings were perfect and really added to the experience. The staff were all so polite and attentive and helped to make it a very special...

I had a fantastic experience dining at AO Southampton! The restaurant had a great atmosphere, and the service was top-notch. The staff were friendly, welcoming and attentive. The food was absolutely delicious, and the presentation was impressive. Overall, I highly recommend AO Southampton for a...

We visited with friends on their recommendation and we’re not disappointed. The tasting menu was excellent and inventive. If you do go be prepared that there can be noise from the adjoining bar, not an issue for us but it is there!

This was a first visit and we will definitely be back. Everything about the food was perfect. A delight for every sense - as pleasing to the eye as it was to the palate. The thought given to the mix of textures as well as...

Fantastic tasting menu. Fine dining arrived in Southampton. Knowledgeable and friendly staff. Go whilst you can still get a booking.

Wow! What an incredible find! The food, service and decor of the place was amazing but it had a real warmth that is often lacking in high end restaurants (please don’t ever lose that as you undoubtedly get busier and more popular). Being a real...

Fantastic experience, gorgeous food and great to see fine dining arrive in Southampton! Every dish was special and Daniel interacting with guests was a really nice touch. Special mention to the sommelier who was second to none! Also, it’s not at all pretentious, really good...

The food was truly amazing… it is an eight course tasting menu. Wonderful flavour and attention to detail was excellent. We had the wine pairing which complimented the food really well. Service was very good and the staff were very knowledgeable.

Visited this newly opened restaurant last night and what a wonderful experience from beginning to end. The staff were lovely and very welcoming. The food was incredible, so beautifully prepared and presented. The ambience was perfect and not at all pretentious. Daniel and hus team...

We were warmly greeted by the front of house & kitchen when we arrived . They wine list had some really unusual wines on it and the sommelier Kayleigh recommended some great wines to go with our meal as we didn’t want the paring wines...

I hesitate to write a glowing review as this new restaurant is a gem to be discovered, but not recommending would be so unfair. Exceptional dining experience, fabulous flavours, incredible attention to detail with friendly attentive service. Set taster menu only at present; would like...

Really enjoyed our visit to AO. The decor is very contemporary but, stylish and comfortable. The staff are professional and friendly and they all had a thorough knowledge of the food they served to our table. The food was amazing! The flavours and quality of...

Expectations were high and restaurant AO you did not disappoint. With a belated birthday to celebrate, I was lured in initially by recent social media posts, along with the solid reviews on Google. Prior to the pandemic I loved nothing more that a day trip...

Had dinner at Daniel’s restaurant on New Year’s Eve, and what a great addition to the local food scene it is. From the snacks including pork and eel, beef locally sourced, and to finish a white chocolate parfait which was so full of flavour. Front...

Tried this place as we had heard it had opened. Was more difficult to find than expected but if they said next to Whiskey Blue it would have made life simpler. The staff are all trying hard and they are right - Southampton lacks decent...