Bet365 – £200
Betclic
BetVictor – £25
Bwin – £25
Ladbrokes – £50
Paddy Power – £50
Pinnacle
Sportingbet – £100
Stan James – £150
Unibet – £20
William Hill – £25
Fontwell House and Premier Lounge in 888.com Stand
I have eaten twice at Fontwell in the past year, the most recent time was on the 30th September, a day upon which believe it or not, some of us got a sun tan. On both times we used the restaurant I went along with the team from Hyperion (betting industry recruitment firm that I work for) and you can see some of the pictures on Hyperion’s Facebook Page.
On the visit in September there were eight of us, and we were given a superb table to the left of the Premier Lounge. The main restaurant is indeed called the “Premier Lounge”, it’s not me lapsing into grandiosity. The room was bright, large and had its own balcony providing a good view over the winning line and directly down the diagonal home straight for the figure of eight chase track. This is one of the best views in jumps racing, as the angle sees them jump right at you, so don’t forget to pack the bins!
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- Fontwell House Restaurant
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- Fontwell Main Restaurant in 888.com stand
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- Fontwell Races restaurant pork belly
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- Getting in Swing of Things!
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- Sunshine from the Fontwell Park Restaurant Balcony
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- Clean Plates at Fontwells Restaurant
When we arrived we were greeted and shown to our table, from that time onwards we were never left without a polite person to take another drink order, bring the food, or pop round with a machine to relive us of money for Tote bets! The service was in a word superb, and puts many other restaurants to shame. In particular the waitress dealing with our table gave me innumerable coffee refills, which was much appreciated as everyone else was enjoying stronger and ahem more fortifying refreshments.
The starters were excellent, I had a countryside terrine. For main I opted for pork, which though a favourite of my late Grandfather is a meat I don’t typically elect to choose. For once I am glad that I abandoned the form book, as the dish was one of the nicest meals I have had at the races. It was presented as a small brick of meat, with the most deliciously pliable crackling on top of juicy, moist and flavoursome flesh. The deserts were also of a high standard, and the complementary (and bottomless supply) of truffle chocolates provided some comfort amid my two bets going west.
Bet365 SP Guarantee and two losing Fontwell bets
I backed Memorabilia for small money on its debut run as it looked amazing in the paddock and had the best flat form, looking the winner coming up to the last it tired up the hill. My second bet (and considerably larger loser) was Cock of the Rock which as per the opening race’s bet managed to come second in a race in which several of the field were brought down. A lot of the guys were on A Little Bit Dusty at 5/1 and 6/1, so wasn’t all that bad. Didn’t point out that if they had bet on their smart phones the Bet365 SP guarantee would have seen them get paid out on the SP of 7/1. Funny enough that day, both my punts were with “folding”, and got best price for the two runners also, but as they say: “you can’t eat value”!
“You can’t eat value”!
Successful catering for scores of people deserves plaudits. It’s what you pay on the door for, but something that some tracks (see recent Plumpton meal review) fail to fulfil. Fontwell really ticked all the boxes, and apart from my failure to pick any winners I really can’t reproach them for anything.
The cost worked out about £75-80 per person, which factors in the cost of wine/beers. Entry was included in this price. I would heartedly recommend this track’s restaurant. We have also eaten at the Fontwell House restaurant (when 888.com stand was being finished), service was similarly friendly and efficient, and the food was very good, on that occasion I had Whitebait for starter, beef for main, and the cheese for the last course.
Everything important at the track is a short walk (parade ring, betting ring, restaurant) and minicabs to and from Barnham ferried our well refreshed party.
Finian’s does Chris’ dough in Victor Chandler!
Not going to sleep tonight after watching Finian’s Rainbow get done in the Victor Chandler, so thought I would do the above much overdue blog with a review of the restaurant at figure of eight Fontwell Park!
Towcester Restaurant Review in Pipeline
Off to Towcester tomorrow for a four course meal (what a fat bloke I will become!) and I also need to type up a review of our meal at Huntingdon. The only other restaurant that I have been to recently was Kempton for last seasons Racing Post Chase, so won’t be short of things to blog about. Almost forgot, also “ate” at Harlow dogs, that was so grim I uploaded pictures to Facebook and I look at it when I want to go on a diet.
Anyhow, ta ta for now,
Happy Punting.
I have been involved in the betting industry since the late 90’s and have in that time worked for a on course bookmaker (at now much missed Catford Dogs), spent time at a leading spread betting company, and worked for Betfair in their two year start-up phase.
In 2007 I co-founded iGaming supplier Hyperion Gaming with long suffering business partner Alex Lafferty. Approaching five years trading, this business employs a dozen great staff, and frees me up to engage more time into my passion of racing!
I hope to pass on some inherited wisdom, and the occasional tip that should hopefully put you on to a winner!
Being involved in the industry for so long has given me a good understanding of the wonderful world of online gambling, and I put great effort into giving honest reviews and opinions that can be trusted.
