The Stewing Pot

When you have worked up an appetite in the shopping streets and attractions old and new of Hereford, head for this buzzy bistro on one of the historic city's oldest and most picturesque streets close to the world-famous cathedral. The setting is smart, intimate and modern, with an open-plan kitchen behind the bar turning out an appealing line in simple Mediterranean-accented dishes based on first-class raw materials. Starters such as seared scallops with crispy pancetta, celeriac remoulade, black pudding wafer and cider reduction put the emphasis on sound technical skills and clear flavours. At main course, roasted gilt head bream might be teamed with citrus and chilli butter, and pea shoots, while fans of local meat could head straight for braised Herefordshire beef in red wine with herb dumpling and glazed root vegetables, and finish off with a rich dark chocolate mousse with Cointreau espuma.