insideSUSSEX Magazine Issue 07 - September 2015 | Page 41
FOOD+DRINK
MURRAYS:
The Oldest New Restaurant in Chichester
BY MELISSA JONES
Murrays Restaurant is perfectly situated in a grand Grade II listed Georgian property in the heart of
Chichester. The restaurant, inside the charming Ship Hotel, opened its doors in November 2013
and is the only restaurant in the city to hold an AA rosette for culinary excellence.
Adjacent to one of the UK’s regional flagship theatres, Chichester Festival
Theatre, Murrays makes the most of its prime location and offers diners a
‘Prixe Fixe’ menu. The menu, timed expertly for pre-theatre viewings
(12-2pm and 5-7pm), offers diners a hand-picked selection of favourites
from the A la Carte menu with 2 courses priced at just £17.50.
and pea purée, presented on a black slate board. The duck spring roll
is another must have; the rich plum sauce delivers the right combination
of sweet and sour and the bed of sautéed vegetables compliment the
crunch of filo pastry.
Menus change seasonally, with the most recent change on 17th August
introducing a variety of new dishes, all made in-house and excellent
value for money with mains starting from just £10. There is something for
everyone, with the menu featuring favourites such as succulent fillet steak
served with fries and seared salmon fillet with Jersey Royal potatoes.
The close proximity to the heritage site of the theatre means that both The
Ship and its adjoining restaurant has been host to a number of English
silver screen icons over the years. Star-studded guests include Dames
Judi Dench and Maggie Smith as well as Prime Minister David Cameron.
The restaurant pays tribute to its former owner, Admiral Sir George
Murray, who captained Lord Horatio Nelson’s fleet in 1805. Not only is
it his namesake, the restaurant also displays a modern twist of colonial
opulence in its interior. Using an eclectic mix of textures, earthy colours
and greenery, Murrays offers a truly unique dining experience.
For those with a sweet tooth, the perfect way to end your superb dining
experience at Murrays is with the warm chocolate fondant served with
salted caramel ice cream. The rich chocolate melts in your mouth and is
set off by the salty flavour of the ice cream.
The menu is accompanied by an extensive wine list with many offered
by the glass as well as the restaurant’s very own The Captain’s White
Burgundy and The Captain’ Claret. An extensive range of original
cocktails are also served in the comfortable Captain’s bar and make great
pre-dinner refreshments. Don’t Worry About a T’ing with its Caribbean
vibe definitely hits the spot after a long day at work.
Head chef, James Dean, gathers his inspiration for the menus from
seasonal produce, all supplied by local Sussex-based suppliers. James
says: “I build the menus based on seasonality and what is available at the
time and try to source our produce from areas as local to Chichester as
possible.”
James’ signature dish is monkfish, which will be making an appearance
on the menu this winter. “I love cooking with monkfish. My signature dish
is spiced monkfish with curry crushed potatoes.” True to his word, this
really is James’ signature dish with it securing him second place in the
Grampian Young Chef of the Year competition in 2009.
Serving food throughout the day, Murrays really is a must when
in Chichester.
Murrays Restaurant at The Ship Hotel
North Street
Chichester
PO19 1NH
01243 778000
[email protected]
www.theshiphotel.net
We had the pleasure of enjoying Murrays’ summer A la Carte menu,
which boasts an array of fresh vegetables and salads along with
meats and fish. If you’re looking to indulge, the scallops come highly
recommended and are served alongside shards of crunchy pork crisps
41