Lark — Restaurant in West Suffolk

You're reading this because you want to get an idea of whether Lark is worth a visit and is any good. Details are below, but in short, "No" it's not. There are plenty of much better places to go in BSE to spend your time and money. Tinned anchovies at £2 a slither and specials weighing in at £5 a mouthful; they were good - but not that good; and the service was abysmal.

The set up of Lark is a tapas style structure of dining - "nibbles" are first and "small plates" next which offer a bit more of a substantial portion size. It's small with just 18 table covers plus 2 on high stools and we were first in, ahead of it getting filled up about 30-40 minutes after.

Our aperitif, wine, "nibbles" and first 2 "small plates " were served all okay - although the waitress did clear the table whilst I was just finishing (knife and fork still in hand). We then waited - watching all others who had entered the door after we'd placed our order being served, trying to eek out the enjoyment of our wine and desperately trying to catch the eye of the staff.

Patiently, we waited, and waited, and waited - 30 minutes in fact just sitting there as an empty table; and no one noticed?!? The point at which a table of 4 who had arrived 25 minutes after us had been presented with their bill and left was the final straw. I got up and asked for our bill for the things we had had - "it's coming right away" they said, with shocked faces (quite clearly realising that they'd forgotten we had further dishes to come).

5 minutes later the food arrived - but still one plate missing (we didn't bother to ask!). Now these 2 plates totalled £45 - we wanted to savour them, appreciate the taste sensation and enjoy with our wine. Wine had gone (you can only nurse 1/2 a bottle each for so long), time was running out (we'd been there nearly 2 hours and had the cinema booked) and the 'small' plates lived up to their description - literally consumed in 5 mouthfuls!!

Instead of a conciliatory response when their 'ball dropping' on service was pointed out, we got a confrontational attitude that their food warranted such time from kitchen to table - really?? what exactly was chef doing - out the back killing the cow for my husbands ribs and rowing the boat for my cod? Ridiculous!!

With a cursory "oh sorry" and a flourish of presenting the bill (nearly £170) we then left - bitterly disappointed.

YOU HAVE...

Small plates of sublime food and great service from this jewel of a restaurant!

I visited here one Friday evening with my wife. We decided to go off-the-cuff and bagged the last table for two at the 6pm sitting; the only caveat was that we had to be done by 8pm. This proved to be perfectly adequate time and we had a great evening.

We were both driving, so opted for water and a single standard glass of wine each - a vinho Verde and an orange wine; these were very good, especially the latter. Our special dietary requirement of being a bit greedy were well catered for; the plates may be small but we ordered plenty!

Paremesan fougasse was light, crisp and covered in a generous blizzard of cheese. Rabbit and black pudding bon bons were satisfyingly meaty, with a pleasing kick of mustard. Salsify was deliciously yielding and came with a crunchy-crumb coating & another great dusting of paremesan. Venison tartare was very tasty, served atop a crisp and buttery hash brown. Spiced tempura monkfish had a light, crisp batter, was deftly spiced and lifted brilliantly with a squeeze of lime and a confit onion accompaniment. Chicken thigh had a soft interior with crispy skin, served on a bed of buttery mushrooms which sat in a pool of delicious creamy and truffly chicken jus. Hogget was presented in a crisp coating, delicately seasoned with cumin and served with a couple of excellent celeriac sides and a rich lamby jus. Our final main (possibly the best dish) was of perfectly pan cooked duck, with a great duck reduction, Jerusalem artichoke transformed 3 ways, into the creamiest and smoothest purée, crisps and whole roasted - which was crisp, yet yielding. Scattered hazelnuts were a welcome counterpoint of flavour and texture. We finished things with a tiramisu (creamy, boozy deliciousness) and a cannele that was as good as any I've had in Bordeaux.

This all came to £158.06 (including service) which was a bargain for such a consistent performance, including some memorable highs and not a single bum-note.

We will definitely...

From the moment I stepped into Lark Restaurant in the charming town of Bury St Edmunds, I knew I was in for a treat. This culinary gem has managed to create an atmosphere that is both inviting and sophisticated, striking a perfect balance that appeals to a wide range of diners.

Each dish we tried was a testament to the chef's expertise and attention to detail. The flavors were rich, well-balanced, and absolutely delightful. It's clear that the kitchen uses only the freshest ingredients, and their skill in bringing out the best in these ingredients is commendable. Whether it was the appetizer, the main course, or the dessert, each dish was a delightful journey for the taste buds.

A special mention must be made of the hosts, who were nothing short of brilliant. Their warm welcome set the tone for the evening, and their knowledge about the menu and recommendations were spot on. The host's attentiveness and genuine care for the guests' experience made our visit even more enjoyable. It's rare to find such a combination of professionalism and personal touch.

The Lark is not just about great food; it's about the entire dining experience. The ambiance is cozy and elegant, the staff is friendly and efficient, and the food is exceptional. It's a place where memories are made, be it a special occasion or a casual evening out.

I wholeheartedly recommend The Lark Restaurant to anyone looking for an exquisite dining experience in Bury St Edmunds. It's a place where culinary skill and quality service come together to create an unforgettable experience. Don't miss out on this hidden treasure!

Thank you Sophia, Yann...