SITE BY PROPELLERReviews
31st December 2011
We dined as a group of 10 on Christmas Eve. Nine adults and one child.
The Bell’s restaurant is a new stylish approach to modern dining. My starter was cured wild boar, venison and pheasant salami with port, apple celeriac and remoulade. It was very well presented, and served quickly after our drinks arrived.
For my main I chose to have the Crown of English Rose bronzed turkey, rosemary and garlic roasted potatoes, honey roasted root vegetables, pigs in blankets, stuffing, bread sauce and seasonal gravy. The turkey was cooked, perfectly, soft, rich of flavour and moist. The roast potatoes where as they are meant to be; crispy on the outside with a soft and fluffy inside. The vegetables, pigs in blankets, stuffing where lovely and tasty as they should be.
My chosen dessert was warm chocolate fondant with salted caramel ice cream. The outside was firm, with a warm melted centre. Ice cream arranged on the side which was delicious.
The two waitresses who served us where very helpful and smiley. We will be returning to dine again in the New Year.
David Dyson
21st December 2011
Hi Penny And Mark... + Amelia,
Just a brief thank you from Jacqueline and I, on behalf of the entire party for the best ever Xmas lunch ever consumed outside of a home kitchen.
As ever the Bell at Fetcham sings from a different hymn sheet to the other Restaurants in the area.
Thank you, and rest assured we will return, time and time again, with more and more friends.
You deserve a Michelin star equivalent for being the most user friendly and satisfying customer outlet, serving food and wine in Surrey.
An Huge Thank You
Best festive wishes,
David and Jacqueline xxx
15th November 2011
Mark,
Just writing to say thank you to you and your staff for an excellent Sunday Lunch on the 13th Nov. Although had the vegetarian options ( which was great by the way ) the other 3 people all had the Sunday Roast which was rated by all of them as one of the best Pub Sunday Lunches they have ever had. Also your waitress were very attentive and also deserve praise.
Martin Day
A very satisfied customer
14th November 2011
Dear Mark,
Four of us had Sunday lunch at The Bell today & I have to say it was superb. It is rare to have a roast cooked in a pub that tastes like is has just been cooked but that is exactly as is was. I could not fault it in any way, it was perfect.
The service was spot on, very attentive without being abtrusive.
A big thank you to you both for a fab meal.
Best wishes
Liz Brown
10th October 2011
Dear Mark,
This Sunday my hubby and I went to The Bell in Fetcham for lunch, looking back at my diary we’ve been there 4 times in the last couple of months. We went back and again and were delighted that our Sunday roast was served on hot plates with lashing of tasty gravy, the roast potatoes were divine and the vegetables were cooked to perfection.
Will we be going again – absolutely. Would I recommend having a meal at The Bell – most certainly
Best regards
Katie Cork
26th July 2011
Dear Mark,
Many thank you for a wonderful evening at The Bell on Friday night. It was our first night out since having our son and the night was a memorable one with impeccable food and service. We will have no hesitation to see you soon in the near future.
Many thanks,
Kind regards and best wishes
Claire Allison
Joanne McGowan - Act One Parties
The Bell, Fetcham is a large airy pub where a lot of attention has been paid to the pleasing decor. We went for lunch midweek and sampled a couple of dishes from the Lunchtime menu - some chicken salads and a chicken wrap, all of which were delicious and a sensible size portion for midweek lunch. My son had fish and chips which he very much enjoyed and I like the fact that instead of a specific kids menu they are happy to offer smaller portions of some of the adult dishes.
Although the food is lovely, the real selling point of this pub is the warm and friendly service you receive from the moment you walk through the door. The staff are attentive without being overbearing and happily suggested menu and drink choices. Their manner is genuine and they obviously want you to enjoy your experience at the pub.
Dear Mark,
The lunch with my guests yesterday was superb. The service was great and the waitress managed to get the full menu as well as the lunchtime one. She was excellent along with the other staff as well. Lastly thanks for arranging the 10% discount that put the icing on the cake, making us feel a little special.
Cheers and thanks again,
Alan
Class and quality in all areas 31/03/2011
Click here to read full article
Our anniversary meal 05/02/11
I'd like to thank you again, on behalf of my wife and myself, for the wonderful hospitality and generosity you gave us for our Anniversary meal on Saturday.
The Pork Fillet was in my top 5 meals of all time. Fabulous.
Look forward to seeing you again soon.
Trevor & Deb Robertson
Hi Penny & Mark,
Just wanted to say a big thanks for yesterday everyone at work today has said how much they enjoyed it and they loved the pub's decor and cosy feel.
Thanks again
Laura Allcott
Surrey Today – Leatherhead Advertiser
Eating out: The Bell, Fetcham
Thursday, April 01, 2010, 10:41
Comment on this story
After his time with the Metropolitan Police, Mark Thornhill decided to move to America and start afresh in the restaurant trade with wife Penny and their two children.
There, Mark linked up with Coffee Republic to run its operations in Florida and also worked closely with Disney.
Six years on Mark and his family returned home and he was hired to run a pub in Hampshire.
It was here where he met chef Tim Frith who trained in some of the most acclaimed restaurants in the south of England.
So when Mark was hired by Young's Brewery to run The Bell last November, he wanted Tim to run the kitchens.
We visited The Bell on a Friday night for dinner. It has a most imposing and impressive presence and the couple are keen to make it a focal point of social life in the village. Its terrace area at the front is ideal for a relaxed drink, light meal or snack. But it is the pub's stylish and well-appointed restaurant which is the real stand-out.
The restaurant is bright and airy, with plenty of wood panelling. Mark said he had not done much by way of a refurb since taking over, though had "tidied up" things. The couple have invested heavily in service and staff training and it shows.
While retaining some of Young's core menu items, Mark has given Tim a free hand in taking the menu decidedly upmarket with a sprinkling of healthier food options.
We munched on a serving of fresh toasted garlic bread as we mulled over the menu.
While my wife settled on tiger prawns, in a spiced crumb with orange salsa (£6.25) as her starter, I chose salmon and smoked haddock fish cakes, served on a bed of spinach and lemon and parsley butter sauce (also £6.25).
Both were delicious, their presentation being matched by their quality and taste.
I chose an 8oz West Country beef burger (with bacon and cheese fillings) as my main course and my partner chose a house speciality – fish in Young's beer batter (both items priced at £10.40). While hers arrived with chips and mushy peas, my rather enormous beef burger, served in a soft flour bun, came embellished with red onion relish and chips. We also requested two additional side orders – bowls of seasonal veg and chips (£2 apiece).
Dessert followed at a leisurely pace, with my wife ordering sticky toffee pudding (£5), opting for a topping of custard and I asked for a selection of Beechdean dairy ice cream (£4.45)
Child-friendly, it offers most dishes as children's portions at a reduced rate.
There will be special meals and promotions for Easter Sunday (April 4), and on St George's Day, Friday, April 23.
Alf De Araujo
Rating: Four stars
Cost for two: £48.75 (inc. desserts but not drinks )
Service charge: No (discretionary)
Wine: Extensive choice
Vegetarian: Large selection
Parking: Large facility in the grounds
Disabled access: Yes
Service: Courteous and professional
Value for money: Yes
The Bell
Bell Lane, Fetcham, Surrey. KT22 9ND Tel: 01372 372624