The Lygon Arms

Standing very proud on the main thoroughfare through lovely old Broadway, the Lygon Arms is a Tudor mansion that's as full of historical interest as it is of creaking floors. Hedging its bets somewhat, it played host to both Oliver Cromwell and Charles I in the 17th century, though not presumably at the same time. It's a suitably grand edifice that contains a barrel-vaulted banqueting hall with minstrels' gallery and mounted stags' heads. The cooking tacks to a certain stream of British tradition too, with some sleek modern renditions of familiar dishes. A plate of buttered Evesham asparagus with a fried duck egg, tarragon and parmesan is a good seasonal opener, and could be followed by a grilled whole Dover sole, its fillets lifted off before your very eyes (do try this at home), or tournedos Rossini made with Buccleuch beef fillet and duck pâté on a herbed croûton, in truffled Madeira jus. To finish, there may be chocolate orange mousse cake, seething with orange liqueur foam, with a cinnamon tuile.