Not just a pub -- an establishment! Locals tell me it's always enjoyed a reputation for good food and our lunch held up the tradition.
The menu is extensive (sole, veal, pheasant, salmon, plus the usual suspects) and rich (in sauce as well as money). We ordered from the specials board: dover sole in spiced butter and manor farm pheasant in red wine gravy. Both were excellent and my only complaint is that the sole was drowning in the butter sauce. This seems to be a trend with English cuisine -- dousing the food with tons of sauce, whether it's gravy or butter or curry.
We didn't have room for dessert (oh, sorry, pudding, as they call it here), but we ordered one anyway -- the panna cotta was light and delicate. And then we got humbugs with our check. That's mint candies, Yanks.
The dining room is tiny and popular so do book a table in advance. If it's wintertime, ask them to hold the one by the fire for you -- very romantic.
This place is down the road from some delightful thatch-roofed homes and English cottages, and horses share the road, so if you sit in the garden, you might see them. When I think of England, this is the kind of place I think of. If you're driving around aimlessly or on your way to Salisbury, this is a good choice for a pit stop. read more