Restaurant AO

What an experience is all i can say really. the restaurant has a very modern yet homely and warming feel to it with a view an open kitchen what i always feel is nice to see. as well as having a chefs table at the end of the restaurant behind drawn curtains if you wish them to be for that private party. i had the the wine pairing with the 8 course taster menu what went perfectly with every meal. every wine and meal when brought out you was either given a backstory or the wine and where it was from or the ingredients and techniques used to create the meal. can’t talk about this place enough. first of its kind in southampton and promise you will not experience anything else like this in the city.

We had our anniversary dinner here and it was exquisite. from the outside you could almost miss it, no windows and a small unassuming sign and inside it’s deliberately understated for good reason. the food and dining experience are centre stage which is how it should be. we were the first to arrive and the restaurant soon filled up but it was not too busy or overcrowded. there was an atmosphere of calm despite the next level food, each course was a work of art and bursting with flavour. i think it was the prettiest and tastiest food i’ve eaten for a very long time. we liked being able to see the courses being put together, just enough of a view but not taking over from our conversations. we had the wine pairing which made it extra special, the service and attention to detail were impeccable. the staff were friendly and didn’t mind our questions. we will definitely be returning (at least on our anniversary!) ao is a really special place

An experience for special occasions .lovely food and beautifully presented.each course was well described ( all locally sourced ) .wine waitress was very good .we ordered dessert wine and she described all to perfection .one can see the guys working in the kitchen and displaying food on plates with precision . only slight thing is being on show one can read lips !!!!

Definitely not a regular meal out for us but it was my 30th recently so treated ourselves. very pleased we did! everything we ate was lovely, the service was attentive but not at all overbearing and the atmosphere was relaxed and comfortable. i would really recommend the wine pairing, not just because of the delicious wine but the stories and overall experience that came with it. she went through where the wine was from, the tasting notes you might find within and the reasons it was paired with the food you were eating which for me led to a greatly increased enjoyment of the combination.

What a fantastic dining experience at the ao restaurant. the 10 course tasting menu features some of the best produce in the local area. all presented in a very attractive manner with wonderful taste. the service is flawless and perfect for a special occasion. would certainly revisit with the menu being frequently updated!