The Shepherd and Dog

In the village of Forward Green, there's a lot of forward thinking going on. It's a village pub sure enough, but one with a good deal of contemporary swagger. The Wagyu burger on the menu gets a lot of attention, and deservedly so, for the only Wagyu herd in the UK is just down the road. An open-plan bar leads into the chic and contemporary restaurant, with pale wood tables, leather high-backed chairs and unclothed tables, and a broad menu that would not look out of place in a big-city brasserie. Among starters tempura king prawns with tomato confit and chilli jam sits alongside grilled goats' cheese with beetroot carpaccio, walnut chutney and walnut praline. Next up, you could go for one of those Wagyu burgers served with hand-cut chips, or fish and chips in a tempura-style batter, and to finish, dark chocolate and honeycomb marquise or toffee apple sundae.