Call of the log fire, good food and company, in a chill Norfolk winterBaby, it's cold outside. But as those chill winds of winter may blow unremittingly across the fields of Norfolk and The Broads, there will be a constant warm, home-from-home welcome from management and staff at The Rushcutters, Thorpe St Andrew, just east of Norwich. Just check out that roaring log fire in the grate. You won't want to leave!Since my last review of this popular Chef & Brewer pub and restaurant back in early summer, the place has fulfilled and even surpassed the expectations of local regulars and tourists alike in terms of food and beverage choice. I fear though that's there's always a danger of any popular venue such as this becoming a victim of its own success. The thing is, be sensible folks. Now, I've seen criticisms on here about long waits for food to arrive at table and some diners coming up with some very inventive complaints about certain dishes invariably when they've already sat there and scoffed the lot. If you want fast food, go to McDonalds. It's as simple as that.Quick dining is not what The Rushcutters is about at all a long way from it in fact. Every customer is special, old or new, to managing couple Ben Cooke and Trisha Murphy. But if you're going to turn up with a large party at peak dining times at weekends without a reservation well, yes, you'll always be accommodated but expect to wait. So book in advance and avoid all of that. There's no shortage of staff on duty any day in the kitchen and on the dining floor and in the garden area, as I've witnessed myself many times these past few months. Busy times, however, are hectic and these guys only have one pair of legs, arms and hands each. Assuredly they do their very best, all the time and with a smile.I was there recently for Sunday lunch with a good friend, Sandy, who'd not been there before. We opted for soup starters, followed by a combo roast that's a mixture of pork, beef and lamb each, served with a whole palette of fresh veg, roast potatoes and Yorkie pudding, all drizzled with ample gravy. Then followed a sweet (great choices here) and throughout, three rounds of drinks glasses of lager and wine. The bill came to just over £40. Sandy agreed, together with the excellent and attentive personal service by a young waitress, that it was extremely good value. I can tell you that she came away afterwards a devotee of the place.The Rushcutters is always offering new, seasonal dishes. Until 20th November, it's the Flavour of Game from venison pie to Guinea Fowl, pheasant and partridge (sourced from Yorkshire), all rounded off, perhaps, with some spiced apples and pears lavished with mince-pie flavoured ice cream. If all that sounds a bit too rich for you (never to myself!) then there's the extensively itemised standard menus (revamped in October), many with almost weekly 'meal deals' which can be had through downloaded vouchers by email subscription. Real ale fans always have a treat at The Rushcutters and besides the popular tipples such as Nelson's Revenge and The Wherry new, seasonal additions include a cheeky little number called well, Cheeky Devil.There's always a selection of medium-priced white and red wines to be had, by the glass or bottle (no halves). For example, with the Flavour of Game month, a South African Shiraz/Cabernet/Malbec blend is proving very successful with the wine and diners. A bold and juicy red, just like Rudolf's nose! Ah yes, the Christmas season at The Rushcutters gets underway with the switching on of festive lighting from 20th November. This follows a very community-spirited approach by young family pair Ben and Trisha since the summer, aimed at attracting in mum, dad and the kids events ranging from a recent Halloween Party, Man in Black Ghost Walk, colouring competitions for the youngsters and, on 1st December, a charity day in aid East Anglia's Children's Hospices.Christmas Day lunch and afternoon festive fun is traditionally very popular at The Rushcutters, many booking for the following year after feasting at the current celebration. So, booking now is crucial so too for New Year's Eve, with live music on hand to see the old year old. Prices of course vary for each event.As for that roaring fire, a centrepiece in winter, well, you don't have to become a piece of human toast to enjoy it. It provides an enhancement to a pleasant winter evening spent away from the cold night air and in good company. With the tinsel and Christmas lights a 'twinkling, I make no apology for using the word 'magical' again in this review in terms of the atmosphere and easy ambience of the place.If I have to fault one thing at The Rushcutters, I think it has to be what I can only describe as the rather tatty state of the patio riverside garden seating area in terms of the herbaceous planting thereabouts, much overgrown and which really does need some attention. However, I am informed that a tidy-up operation is soon to be in read more