The Crown & Castle

In picturesque Orford on the Suffolk coast, this one-time pub, now restaurant with rooms, was built eight centuries ago and is separated from the castle by a little lane. It's co-owned by the original Hotel Inspector off the telly, Ruth Watson, so it's a safe bet for an overnight stay and/or dinner in the Trinity Restaurant. Here, beams, unclothed wooden tables and comfortable burgundy-velvet cushioned chairs and benches help create a relaxed vibe which is aided by the friendly serving staff. The place is still an inn popular with the locals as well as being something of a foodie destination, with the daily-changing, Italian-accented menu majoring on modern, unpretentious and flavour-driven dishes that showcase the best the area has to offer. There are a few British favourites like proper steak and kidney pie with mash and buttered cabbage, but more typical of the style is beef fillet carpaccio with 'Harry's Bar dressing' and parmesan shavings to start, before super-fresh Orford-landed sea bass with samphire, brown shrimps and potato gnocchi. A rustic-style warm nectarine and frangipane tart and vanilla ice cream makes a fine finish.