The Cavendish Restaurant

I made a booking for dinner at The Cavendish Restaurant based on the other reviews I’d read here and up until the food started arriving to the table, I was quite sceptical.
First, we had an impossible time finding the Dukes Hotel — it turns out the restaurant is actually around the corner, just off Great Pulteney Street toward The Holburne Museum end. Then, we walked down the stairs into the waiting room and were asked for our drink orders (which we declined, other than water) and shown the menus. Considering the entire restaurant was dead empty, we were confused about why we weren’t just sat at the table.
Upon perusal of the menus, it appeared that we could opt for the tasting menu (which is quite pricey at around £55 a head, if I recall), or 2/​3-​course prix fixed options at slightly lower price points. Not being terribly hungry, we ended up doing two 2-​course dinners and two 3-​course dinners between four people.
After putting in our orders (perhaps fifteen minutes after arriving), we were finally shown to our seats in the dining room proper, which has room for perhaps twenty or so people. This is when things started to get good…
The first sign of culinary excellence came out in the form of the bread basket. House-​made white, granary, and chorizo-​pepper loaves filled our tummies with fresh, fragrant starch. The chorizo-​pepper bread was brilliant, offering hints of savoury and sweet with each bite.
A chicken and ham hock terrine amuse bouche followed shortly thereafter — it was a genuine surprise, considering we hadn’t ordered off the tasting menu. My starter of smoked salmon and salmon rillette was punctuated beautifully by the pickled beets and a slice of eye-​catching candy beetroot. The fish itself was prepared excellently, and was rounded out with colours, textures, and flavours that sang.
As a main, I opted for the fillet of Devizes beef (Devizes being a nearby town, ostensibly where the meat originated), and once again, a minor component to the dish absolutely stole the show. The beef shin, braised for four-​to-​five hours, was so tender that it quite literally melted in my mouth. If you spot this one on the menu, don’t hesitate to order it.
And prior to our desserts (lovely, but unmemorable things) coming out, the kitchen was nice enough to send us some simple palate cleansers of berries with cream and a basil ice garnish. It was just enough to get the salivary glands working in overdrive, whilst being refreshing after the heavy mains.
In sum, our dinner ran about three or more hours. Fortunately, there were some extended waits between dishes, which allowed for time to digest just a bit. Otherwise, we’d have never made it through all the food!
After the sumptuous meal, I felt compelled to thank the chef, Roland, personally. He graciously came out for a handshake and to apologise for the delays in food — apparently they were drastically short-​staffed that evening, and he ended up doing much more of the hands-​on cooking than typical. I wouldn’t have complained anyhow, as the cuisine was superb.
Cavendish Restaurant may possibly be one of the most stellar restaurants I’ve had the pleasure of dining in England; I hope that others discover it soon. There’s some grand talent in the back of house, and considering that our final bill was likely a quarter of what we would have paid for a comparable meal in London, I’d say it’s a bargain as well!

I guess that if you’re not staying the hotel you may not come across this restaurant, as it is slightly off the tourist track. I have had some great value fixed price lunches here (the dinner menu is a la carte and more expensive), and have thoroughly enjoyed the food and wine and setting. The service has always been very friendly and efficient.

This was recommended by our hotel, something I always view with some skepticism, assuming there must be some quid pro quo (apparently there wasn’t).
In any event, we didn’t make a reservation in advance, and Cavendish was able to accommodate us. The restaurant is in the basement of Dukes Hotel, a small boutique hotel. The restaurant consists of a small lounge and a small dining room (9 – 10 tables).
My wife and I hardly ever order the same thing, but we did here. Scallops for appetizer, halibut with chorizo and veggies for entrée. Can’t remember the wine, except that it was good and went very well with the food. And the food. . OMG! This was perhaps the best meal we had in England. Exquisite combo of flavors. Every bit as good as Gordon Ramsay’s place at Claridge’s in London for ¹⁄₃ the price.
When in Bath, run. . don’t walk. . to this place. Food and service were outstanding.

This is fine dining at an affordable price. The set Lunch at c. £15 has plenty of variety and is excellent. Outside seating available. Service very good. Highly recommended.