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On a weekend away in our motorhome we were delighted to stumble on the 2 AA rosette Coach and Horses and despite our nomadic lifestyle we never turn down fine dining.
After a brisk 15 minute walk in squally wind and rain we arrived to a lovelly open fire restaurant, quickly seated and a six course taster with wine pairing ordered.
Pre dinner nibbles always sets the bar and our bullish anticipation was dampened as all three were tasteless, with only the chorizo muffin offering a modicum of flavour.
Our first course promised chargrilled king prawns which was a generous description as the embarrased lonely prawn, which could have done with five minutes less in the pan; sheepishly basqued in the lobster bisque.
Second course was monkfish tail, artichoke, truffle gnocchi, in a brown bread veloute. The monkfish was tasty but there was no sign of artichoke and the normally distinctive flavour of truffle was absent, there seemed to be a theme.
The wine pairings were commendable with generous measures, however they were irritatingly late and generally served after each course had arrived. There was no background to the grape but instead a pre printed synopsis displayed for those with reading glasses.
We wondered what would be missing from the delightfully sounding hanger steak, dill pickle, mushroom puree, potatoe terrine and stroganoff sauce. Instead this arrived with an undisclosed vegetable imposter. However, this course was flavoursome albeit the steak overdone for our taste.
Finally, after a pineapple and coconut sorbet our dessert of creme brulee and poached rhubarb arrived but only after a long wait for the matching dessert wine we did enjoy.
Coffee was good but no parting chocolate. Overall the dining experience had signs of promise but felt more like a home made version of other...
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It was a special visit for a birthday lunch. Prebooked because of Covid, party of 6.The weather was so good we decided to sit outside . We were only told we couldn’t have a la carte when we were seated outside, so opted for the shorter lunch menu. £25 for 3 courses which was very reasonable. The standard of presentation was excellent and the quality was fabulous too. There was a good choice for all tastes on the whole menu. Chilled Courgette Soup and Asparagus tart were especially memorable, as was the Hake which was cooked to perfection. The vegetables were beautifully cooked and a good variety including purple potatoes. Desserts were more predictable, Eton Mess, Panna Cotta both of which were presented with originality but the Greengage Bakewell Tart was the star. A little more greengage would have made it perfect. Our waitress looked a bit nervous at the start, but warmed to us after a while. More staff arrived as it got busier . No one asked if everything was alright and we had to catch the staff’s eye for extra wine, water and helped ourself to salt and pepper from the service table. Timing and service of the courses was good. I would have liked a candle in the birthday girl’s dessert, which is all I asked for in my prebooking. Choice of wines was good. Elderflower Presse tasted like cordial. Will definitely return for a la carte inside. Hopefully the staff will be a little more attentive. It may have been busier than they were expecting because of the lovely weather. It’s a beautiful place in a...
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I am clinically extremely vulnerable, so this was our last evening out before the covid restrictions lifted last Monday. We were looking forward to a nice meal in a safe environment.
Of the four staff working, two had no masks on and the other two did wear masks, but not over their noses.
When I asked why two staff members were not wearing masks, I was told that one of them suffered from hayfever and nobody knew (or cared) why the other staff member did not have a mask on.
I couldn't check on my phone about hay fever sufferers not having to wear masks, as I couldn't get reception, but when I arrived home I did check and the advice for people who suffer from hay fever is that they should ALWAYS wear masks, as they are sneezing and coughing and spreading their germs. In any event, you would think a mask would reduce the pollen they breathe.
There didn't seem to be anyone in charge who I could talk to.
The food was quite good. Our starters of tomato salad and mushroom quiche were very good. Halibut for the main course was OK, quite possibly by then we were too anxious to enjoy it. The chips arrived late and not quite cooked, which was a shame because on our previous trip they were delicious.
Our wine arrived (and was poured) before our pre-dinner drinks, so not ideal.
The impression was that the teenagers were running the place and it showed.
There are other venues that are going to adhere to the restrictions that were previously in place, so we will be going there in future to ensure a safe...
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