The Orange Tree is an intriguing hybrid -- part traditional pub serving Sunday roasts, part gastropub offering dishes you may have to look up. The space rambles a bit, with a newer extension in the back, but if you can, try to sit in the original front rooms. They're much cozier, with low beams and a crackling fire.
We decided to skip the roast and explore the rest of the menu. I had planned to order the Scotch egg, but the Norfolk White Lady choux caught my eye. Despite the server gently steering me toward the Scotch egg, I went with the unfamiliar option. She was right -- while the pastry was fine, the filling was a bit cloying, and I didn't finish it.
But then came redemption: the fish and chips. All four of us actually gasped when the plates arrived. I've never seen a portion like it -- a perfectly battered, beautifully fried fillet stretching well beyond the plate, served with a side of salt-and-vinegar "scraps," which were new to me and absolutely addictive. The curry sauce was outstanding. And I didn't have to worry about finishing it; everyone at the table was more than happy to jump in. read more