Making a very welcome return to Southampton, acclaimed chef Daniel Rogan’s restaurant AO by Daniel Rogan is set to be THE restaurant that foodies will be raving about this summer. Its genesis began in 2022 where it garnered recognition from the Michelin Guide as well as winning various awards.
Introducing AO By Daniel Rogan
With precision, creativity and seasonality at the heart of the menu, it’s easy to see Daniel’s pedigree. Having trained at the likes of L’Enclume and Rogan & Co, before working with Marcus Wareing at the Berkeley and at the three Michelin-starred Restaurant Gordon Ramsay.
To have a chef of such an illustrious background bring his expertise to the South Coast is beyond exciting. When I saw that Daniel was using local ingredients sourced in Hampshire, it was a no brainer to pay AO by Daniel Rogan a visit.
Family is at the heart of this contemporary fine dining restaurant which is located on Oxford Street in the city centre, one of the coolest places to eat out in Southampton. From the restaurant’s charcoal exterior to the elegant decor, the dining room is small, but really packs a punch thanks to the juxtaposition of the exposed brick walls and sleek dark interiors and the colourful artwork.
There’s a real symmetry between the aesthetics, service and the cuisine, everything is sleek, modern and thoughtfully curated. As House of Coco’s Music Editor, I was very impressed with the playlist which spanned from eighties bangers to indie favourites. Having had the pleasure to speak to Daniel after the meal, he revealed that the music was derived from his childhood – listening to ABBA and bands from the eighties with his mum.
An open kitchen and chef’s counter create a lively focal point, offering guests a glimpse of the kitchen team in action as dishes make their way from pass to table. The waiting staff were absolutely fantastic, and their passion for the menu, Daniel and food as a whole was evident.
A love letter to Hampshire’s gorgeous ingredients
Every dish on AO’s tasting menus, which are best described as Modern British, are shaped by season, place, and precision with Hampshire ingredients being integral to each dish. AO sources its ingredients from a number of local suppliers, including trout from the Chalk Streams near Romsey, cod from Flying Fish on the Cornish coast and English sparkling wines from Exton Park.
Diners can choose either the five-, seven- or ten-course tasting menu, which can also be paired with corresponding wines.
As a coeliac, I really appreciated that Daniel and his team were able to make adjustments to certain dishes to ensure that they were gluten free. They made me some lovely gluten-free bread too, which was one of the best gluten-free breads I have ever had. Vegans and Vegetarians can also rest assured that they will be catered for.
We opted for the lunchtime five-course tasting menu which was a gastronomic experience that will stay with me for a very long time. The menu is printed on thick, expensive paper and sealed in a charcoal envelope with a burnished yellow AO seal with the restaurant’s logo was emblazoned on the back. It fully outlined the dishes that were to be served.
As a huge fan of artichoke, I was pleased to see this formed part of the first dish, which was impeccably presented on a rustic looking plate and dressed with black garlic and offcuts of roasted chicken skin. The blended flavours were absolutely superb, and the subtle punch of the roasted chicken skin really elevated the artichoke, setting a very high standard of the dishes that were set to follow.
It definitely feels like beetroot is having a moment right now across modern British cuisine, and Daniel Rogan and his team used locally-grown beetroot that was baked with salt and a pickled radish that originates from last summer (another fine example of the team’s sustainable approach to ingredients).
Served with a ragstone custard in a small stone bowl that looked charmingly homespun, this dish was so refreshing. The punchiness of the pickled radish paired perfectly with the earthiness of the beetroot.
I absolutely loved dish number 3, a cured chalk stream trout which was prepared to perfection. Paired with the crisp, cool flavours of a cucumber dashi and topped with a vibrant nasturtium pesto and dill, this was one heck of a showstopper of a dish – one I can’t wait to try again!
Duck was the key ingredient for dish number 4, sourced located in Hampshire, the Aurox dry aged duck was served with some delectably nutty tasting hen of the woods and radicchio. Utterly decadent, the rich, earthy flavour of the mushrooms complemented the duck beautifully. The dish was artfully presented, thanks to the brightly-coloured brassica flowers.
Rhubarb was always my nemesis growing up. As a child, I couldn’t get on with the strong, tart flavour; however, Daniel and his team have made me see rhubarb in a new light – and now I love it! Sourced from Christchurch in Dorset, just over the border from Hampshire, the interplay of the tartness of rhubarb and lime made the dish superbly tangy, while the earthy flavours of hazelnut really anchored it.
Sadly, our tasting menu adventure was coming to an end, but the last dish was an absolute dream for dessert lovers. Delicate and elegant, the mix of white chocolate, sweet cicely and New Forest strawberries was creamy, crisp and beautifully balanced – bursting with summer flavours!
From beginning to end, this was a masterclass in refined dining, combining exceptional ingredients with technical excellence and understated creativity. Every course reflected an unwavering commitment to quality, craftsmanship and seasonality, unfolding with elegance and purpose while delivering layers of flavour that lingered long after the last bite.
From the exquisite seafood and beautifully executed meat courses to the thoughtfully composed desserts, each dish played its part in a seamless culinary journey. Sophisticated, accomplished and thoroughly indulgent, this was a dining experience by the very talented Daniel Rogan and his team that showcased fine dining at its very best – and one that will remain in our memory for a long time to come.
To book your table at AO by Daniel Rogan, visit the website or call them directly on 02380 201601. Tasting menus start at £65 per person for five courses, £85 for seven courses and £125 for ten courses.
Photo Credit: Emma Harrison and Brandon Martinez C/O AO by Daniel Rogan
