The George

The handsome timbered George dates from the 15th-century and is rooted into the fabric of its ancient Suffolk village. These days, as is often the case, it's more of a restaurant than a village boozer - apart from a few bar stools there's not much pubbiness left: there are beams and bare-brick walls, but the understated Farrow & Ball neutral shades and classy cream seats combine in a tastefully made-over, thoroughly modern interior. The man cooking up a storm in the kitchen is co-proprietor Lewis Bennet, who deals in no-nonsense modern comfort food with big, bold flavours. A starter of slow-roasted belly pork arrives with crispy crackling, a zesty potato salad, a punchy hit of capers, and a deeply rich sherry jus, and is followed by pan-fried hake fillet with rösti potato, braised leeks, chorizo and shallot crisps. For pudding, there could be a duck egg and vanilla crème brûlée or raspberry and white chocolate bavarois.