Restaurant review: The Stable, Poole

The Stable began five years ago, located at the back of The Bull Hotel in Bridport, around the same time that I moved from London to Dorset. A rustic cider house serving exceptionally good gourmet pizzas at reasonable prices, it is incredibly popular with tourists, as well as remaining a hub for locals. I've lost count of how many times I've been there - for girls nights out, parties, with visiting friends or when we're feeling lazy and take the kids for tea!

The Stable's success has seen the chain expand across the South West to include Weymouth, Bath and Bristol. I was delighted to be asked to review the latest venue on Poole Quay last week with my friend Sarah. Housed in a beautiful building by the water, the interior has been stripped back to create the unique character that the restaurant is known for - with long communal wooden benches, exposed beams and big oak barrels.

It really is a must for cider fans with over 55 different varieties from predominantly boutique West Country cider-makers. I have never seen so many on offer in one place and luckily the staff know all of them inside out! They suggested we try a cider tasting board - five third-of-a-pint glasses that move from dry to sweet for £7.50 - such a great way to sample different varieties and find one that you really like - we loved the Bee Sting Pear cider and the the Dorset Nectar.

WHAT WE ATE
You think you know what a pizza is, but think again! The Stable sources top quality fresh ingredients from local suppliers and pizzas are quirkily named after local icons including The Durdledoor and The Sandbanks Scorcher.

We could also have chosen from their delicious range of artisan pies and fresh salads, but of course we went for the full pizza experience. I ordered the Brownsea Bantam (£10.50), a total winner with a generous topping of red peppers, local field mushrooms, tomato and mozzarella on a perfectly thin and crispy base.

Sarah chose The Billy the Kid (£12), with goats' cheese, caramelised onions, field mushrooms, fresh spinach leaves, tomato and mozzarella and topped with roasted hazelnuts, which she said was equally delicious. They arrived quickly on wooden boards with our own pizza cutters and we also shared a side salad.

We were far too full to contemplate dessert but I've sampled them many times with my two boys, who always ask for the brownie or chocolate pizza!


WHAT WE WORE

Me:

Yellow fine knit top - 2nd Day at Yard
Black washed double zip jeans - Mint velvet
Black suede boots - Office
Necklace - Accessorise

Sarah:
Blue animal print top: Soaked in Luxury at Yard
Jeans: Maison Scotch at Yard
Necklaces: Model's own

With its buzzy and relaxed atmosphere, the Stable's unique style of serving pies, pizza and cider is a winning combination, so much so that the sixth restaurant opens its doors this week on Fistral Beach in Newquay. We had such a lovely lunch and despite only tasting the various ciders on offer, neither of us could remember where we had parked the car afterwards!

Abbi x

Last week, Dorset Fashionista reviewed the Hix Oyster and Fish House, you can read about it here

If you would like to see your restaurant to be featured in a future review please contact me on abbi.irving-bell@hotmail.co.uk

Disclosure
The meal at The Stable was received free of charge but all the opinions are my own.