The Wortwell Bell — Restaurant in South Norfolk

The best food comes from home, wherever it is. That's something I've always stood by. Now my home is not the Wortwell Bell, but... tonight, it might as well have been because that's exactly how we were made to feel.

In my head, there is a template of exactly how a pub should look and should operate - psychologists might call this a 'schema'. In a couple of days I have to go back to East London and to the multitude of 'pubs' with their fake business models catering to the multitude of hipsters with ridiculous facial hair who drink therein. But tonight, I went to a real pub.

A skilfully prepared starter of deep-fried breaded Somerset brie with cranberry sauce was simply on point, and served at the perfect temperature - a crunchy exterior with a gooey, magma-like viscera that didn't burn the skin off my mouth, but definitely left me wanting more. Then a braised lamb shank which transported me back to my childhood, and to my grandmother's kitchen. Succulent and tender meat suspended between flavourful folds of fat which told me the very lamb's life story. Glorious red wine gravy with the red wine flavour not overpowering, but definitely present. Rounded off with a strawberry meringue dessert to die for.

The real pub is still alive and very much kicking. You might not find it in East London. In fact, you'll have to be prepared to travel for it a bit, but... if you're looking for the traditional country pub experience that ticks all the...

I HAVE AMENDED MY REVIEW AS SORRY IS NOT IN THE OWNERS HUMBLE VOCABULARY. Firstly my minestrone soup ‘tasted exactly’ like canned soup there was nothing flavourful (even after 5 attempts on the salt shaker) It had all the trappings of long life. Although the owner replied to the review saying it was fresh as is all the food. Well in that case when we all received our food my aunts order had been totally ignored. But the waitress said it could be there in 5 mins. So how do you freshly prepare a steak and kidney pudding in that time. As the owner TOTALLY SLATED ME in my 1st review saying we cleaned our plates THAT IS A LIE! I left 3/4 of my acid reflux inducing soup. The reason the other plates mostly eaten was because my uncle was starving and my aunt eat my mums greasy steak sandwich that tasted curiously of liver. It was not but it did have that taste we all tasted it and agreed. In fact we did leave a considerable amount. In the defence of the waitress she did apologise for not taking the order properly leaving aunt without food ( thankfully) I understand that you would stand by your product but to reply calling me a liar with no apology is disgraceful. I’m onto trip adviser and other platform I can muster. ( MR OWNER TOU SHOULD HAVE JUST LEFT IT AT THAT, ) or asked me to make contact and discuss the matter further. Owner having a go at me in the replies JUST ADDED INSULT...

The Wortwell Bell is back in the best way possible. Gone are all the cheap, tacky furnishings and plastic flowers installed by the previous incumbents, and we're back to where we should be; a traditional, atmospheric, warm and welcoming public house serving good beer. Food isn't available yet, but apparently is coming shortly and it really sounds very positive; a focus on traditional pub food, sourced locally and cooked on the premise - will update this review as soon as this becomes available. On tap are Madri, Becks and Aspalls cider; a couple of decent popular lagers and a nice local cider. But the stars of the show are the ales brewed locally at Stow Fen Brewery by the landlord. Three beers have been on tap so far; Stock Bridge Best; a really good example of fine traditional best bitter, Broad Water Gold; a nice, slightly malty golden ale, and Angles Way Amber; a really great session ale that I could drink all evening (and have done). As well as all being great beers, these are less than £4 each; when was the last time you bought a round for 4 for less than £15? All in all, a really great return for The Bell, once again run by someone who is enthusiastic and cares about how a pub should be including great beer and really looking forward to seeing how the food...