Winchester England’s Culinary Delights

When I was a kid, my parents had little money, so we didn’t travel. If we did, it was to visit my grandparents across the country. To visit them, my sister and I would go on long car rides. We didn’t have phones or handheld video games back then, so our entertainment was reading books or looking out the window. It may sound boring to kids these days, but I loved looking out the window at various towns and landscapes passing by. My imagination would wander with every new scene.

Since we didn’t have expendable income, our meals were basic. We didn’t venture outside our comfort zone and definitely didn’t try new things. There was meat, a potato, and some vegetables at every meal, unless it was a spaghetti or taco night. Tacos and spaghetti were about as culturally adventurous as we could be.

When I got older, I made it a mission to travel as much as possible and eat as wide a variety of food as I could find. I went to the grocery store and markets to try vegetables I wasn’t sure how to pronounce. I added so many spices to my spice drawer that I couldn’t close it. And the stinkier the cheese, the more I liked it.

When I had kids, I wanted them to have an adventurer palate. Luckily, my neighborhood is diverse, and we eat a variety of foods and flavors. I also wanted to travel with them and show them the world.

All of my kids have inherited wanderlust from their parents. When I am asked where my favorite place to travel is, I always have a hard time answering, because I love traveling everywhere. I will go anywhere, eat anything, and go beyond my comfort zones. And I’m trying to give my children the same experience.

My youngest and I went on a Jane Austen tour of England, which led us to stay a couple of days in Winchester, where she is buried. We enjoyed our time visiting various sites, such as The Great Hall, 878 (an interactive storytelling about the Battle of Edington) the City Museum, Winchester Cathedral, and so much more. We jumped from place to place in Winchester, trying to see as much as possible.

We also ate very well.

Our mornings started out every day with a delicious breakfast that we devoured at our hotel, The Winchester Royal Hotel. The gorgeous hotel made for the perfect setting for a delicious English breakfast. It was a great way to kick off our daily adventures.

I brought along the pickiest eater of my 4 kids, and I was worried that she would not be adventurous with our meals. There is no greater comfort food than pizza, so on our first night in Winchester, we ate some of the most delectable pizza that I’ve ever had. And since I’m from New York City, I’ve eaten a lot of pizzas in my life. Three Joes Pizza makes their pizza from sourdough, and all the ingredients are fresh and tasty.

Three Joes opened its doors in 2018 after debuting another location in Fareham. The owners desired a pizza place that was affordable and welcoming to all people. Each pizza is wood-fired, and the sourdough comprises of only four ingredients: Caputo ‘00’ flour, Maldon sea salt, water, and a starter. The dough rises for 18-20 hours, giving it great flavor and texture.

My mouth is watering as I recall every bite. It was perfect for what we needed. We were hungry and desired something different, but familiar. Three Joes satiated our appetites.

The following evening, it was time to expand her palate and mine. We walked into Kyoto Kitchen underdressed and hungry. We were still wearing our touring clothes from our day’s adventures. Thankfully, the staff were exceptionally kind to my daughter and me and made us feel at home. My bubbly daughter brought her usual curious self to the table, and we perused the menu.

Kyoto Kitchen was founded in 2012 and was Winchester’s first authentic Japanese restaurant. Chef Shintaro Ito has developed an extensive Japanese menu, showcasing his culinary talents while using the finest ingredients in a fine dining setting.

Right away, understanding my daughter’s taste buds, I worried about what we could find that she would enjoy. Knowing that she loves dumplings, I ordered the Gyoza vegetable dumplings for her, while I ordered the Gin Dara for me. The menu said the grilled black cod “literally melts in the mouth.” The menu wasn’t lying. The first bite did just that. It was the tastiest bite of fish that I’ve ever had. My daughter and I also split Obanzai, which is Kyoto-style seasonal vegetables braised in soy, sugar, and mirin. We also split a plate of edamame.

Once the food arrived, my daughter picked up her chopsticks and began gripping her dumplings. She fumbled a few times, and I gave her some tips on how to use them. She’s used them before, so not that difficult to pick up. After a few minutes, she was using chopsticks like a seasoned veteran.

After our plates were clean, we ordered dessert. She had banana tempura with vanilla ice cream, and I enjoyed Dorayaki, which is a pancake stuffed with green tea cream. We tried each other’s desserts and agreed they were both superb. As we consumed the last bit of crumbs, I looked at my daughter and was thankful that I have the opportunity to travel with my kids. In that moment at Kyoto Kitchen, I was giving her something that I had desired my whole life; to travel and eat the best foods in the world. At 10-years-old, she is way ahead of where I was. Her current palate might be a little picky, but it’s growing. Giving her these opportunities not only opens the world up to her, but having an extensive palate also adds a new level of confidence.

Eating the two dinners in Winchester was just what we needed. Two different nights with two vastly unique experiences. The comfort food at Three Joes offered a filling meal that was familiar, yet different and delicious. Kyoto Kitchen provided us with a gastronomic adventure that was refined and delicious.

Winchester is more than a city with an ancient story; it’s also a foodie’s dream.

Visit Winchester and Visit Southeast England hosted my daughter and I while in Winchester. For more information about what there is to see and do, go to Visit Winchester’s webpage for more information.

You might enjoy these other stories:

England:
– Arundel
Arundel Castle is a Must-Visit for History Lovers, Photographers, and Little Ones Who Want to be knights
– Chawton
A Father and Daughter Visit Jane Austen’s England
– Hadrian’s Wall
Reliving the Dads4Kesem Hadrian’s Wall Hike
How an Ice Cream Truck Saved the Day During a Hike Across England
– London
Flying Down the River Thames on a Speedboat
Climbing the O2 Arena with My Son
A Speedboat Tour on the Thames is the Perfect Way to Start a London Vacation
Attending a Chelsea FC Match with My Son
Visiting Westminster Abbey
Visiting the Harry Potter Studios in London
Getting Lost on a Ghost Tour in London with My Son
– Portsmouth
Escaping the Rain by Staying in the Lovely Queen’s Hotel
The Spinnaker Tower Looms Above Portsmouth Offering Beautiful Views of the Solent
– Stratford-upon-Avon
3-Day Itinerary for Visiting Shakespeare’s England
Walking in Shakespeare’s Footsteps: A Father/Son Story
Visiting Anne Hathaway’s Cottage: Where William Shakespeare’s Love Blossomed
Visiting Shakespeare’s Grave with My Son
Exploring Kenilworth Castle
Stepping Back in Time at Warwick Castle
– Whitchurch
Father and Daughter Weave Silk at the Whitchurch Silk Mill in Hampshire
– Winchester
Winchester England’s Culinary Delights
Winchester 878 AD Interactive Experience was a Highlight for my Daughter During Our Trip to Southeast England

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Northern Ireland
Taking a Black Taxi Tour in Belfast
Crossing the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
Touring Bushmills Distillery, the Oldest Whiskey Distillery in the World
Visiting Giant’s Causeway

Ireland
2 Days in Dublin
Touched By a Ghost in Leap Castle in Ireland
Visiting Aran Islands and the Cliffs of Moher
Visiting the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin
A Pint at the Oldest Pub in Europe: A Stop at Sean’s Bar in Ireland is a Must-Stop for Beer Lovers
The Ancient Mound Newgrange in Ireland is Older Than the Pyramids and Stonehenge

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