The setting is idyllic: on the edge of 70 acres of ancient woodland and a huge open field, with a wisteria-clad picket fence and a large outdoor terrace. But we particularly like this place because the food and drinks are better than they have to be. Rustic Mediterranean cooking comes in huge portions: a special of fusilli pasta with balsamic-roasted red onions, rocket and tomatoes saw us through lunch and dinner. On another day, you might find slow-cooked pork belly.
Streusel-topped blueberry muffin had a pleasing homemade character and the vanilla ice-cream was good enough to impress both kids and adults. The mix of bar ordering and counter service is confusing and seems to change with each visit; there’s also a sign asking customers to wait to be seated, though none of the staff was attending to this. They were, however, friendly and prompt when it came to ordering. Note that there aren’t many tables inside.