The Dove Inn

Tucked down the delightfully named Plum Pudding Lane in a sleepy hamlet surrounded by orchards and farmland, the unpretentious honeysuckle- and rose-clad Dove draws discerning diners from far and wide for its top-notch food. The interior is simple and relaxed with stripped wooden floors and scrubbed tables. Outside is a gorgeous cottage garden where, appropriately, a dovecote and doves present an agreeably scenic backdrop for an alfresco meal or quiet pint. The Dove's menu is sensibly short and draws on quality local ingredients, which are soundly handled, offering a balanced choice of contemporary rustic dishes. After breads and olives for nibbles, start with pan-fried scallops with black pudding and parsnip purée, or foie gras and chicken liver parfait with shallot marmalade. For a main course, try the hake fillet with sautéed spinach and brown shrimps, or the aged rib-eye steak with triple-cooked chips and red wine jus, leaving room for apple and ginger crumble.