Durnovaria

�Durnovaria, situated on South Street, is described as a wine bar and café-style restaurant, but it's so much more. The venue is housed in a listed building and has been lovingly renovated to retain many of its original features. Did you know Durnovaria is the Roman name for Dorchester, too? Inside, stunning paintings by local artists hang on the walls, and soft lighting makes for an inviting atmosphere. Expect to find an extensive list of wines on offer, and a vast array of award-winning spirits, many bearing weird and wonderful names such as Monkey Shoulder whiskey and Conker gin, made just up the road in Bournemouth. Cocktails - all made from fresh ingredients - are hard to resist, so I opted for the sweet strawberry Daiquiri which was perfectly fruity. I progressed to a superb Chesil fish platter, comprising plump shell-on prawns, succulent salmon fillet and gravadlax, served with Dorset mixed leaves. All ingredients are locally sourced wherever possible. Since Durnovaria opened its doors, a lot of effort has been made to make it stand out as a bustling venue with lots to offer, including various exciting evening events. The warm welcome and great service from friendly staff will ensure that one visit will not be enough