While the rooms were very nicely done out, the main reason we came to stay here was for the food. I’m not sure if our expectations were just too high to be met, but I was hoping for some real local flavour, but received what might best be described as fussy (if not pretentious).
While the canapés in the downstairs bar were very nice (a lovely convivial atmosphere down here, much nicer than the dining room), I felt some disappointment with:
The starter – 3 scallops for £9, served with an instantly forgettable sauce.
Warnings to watch out for the hot plates – so hot they dried out the gravy and accompaniment of the main course lamb (a tad scorched in places too) which made eating the course a bit of a chore – the accompaniments were bland and added nothing to the dish. The vegetables were lovely mind.
The reaction of the waitress when I gave a honest response to what I thought of the dish – to ignore us till we decided to walk out.
Breakfast was very nice, with a good range of cereals and fresh fruits, though again, why my superb scrambled eggs with smoked salmon had to come on a searingly hot plate I’ll never know.
I think that this place could and should be something special, and personally would like to see the serving simple, honest, high quality local food. However, listening to the accents in the dining room, I think they may be (successfully) working a niche market of people tripping over from the south east of England.
For me, this accommodation represents beautiful (if perhaps a bit overpriced) rooms, exceptionally friendly hosts, but food which fails to live up to expectations.
