The Bildeston Crown

The endearing half-timbered building dates back to the 15th century, and retains much of its medieval character inside, with open fireplaces, low ceilings and beams. The bare wood floor and tables in the dining room do nothing to detract from the cosy ambience, and the place is decorated with fine antique touches from later eras, including some great landscape paintings. Organic and seasonal produce finds its way into the modern British dishes, which offer some interesting takes on traditional ideas. A starter salad might be a distant cousin of Caesar, with anchovy, bacon, tiny croûtons and parmesan, as well as a soft-poached quail's egg, but adorned with a generous portion of carefully cooked lobster. A version of osso bucco might wow you at main-course stage, the boned veal served with its marrow, white beans and braised lettuce, along with a splash of wild garlic purée for extra kick. Less frequently encountered ingredients are a commendable feature, as in the duck heart stew that accompanies breast and leg, and when it comes to dessert, old British memories are stirred with the likes of a trifle and 'Arctic Roll' of rhubarb, in which some of the fruit is poached with vanilla and cloves. A menu of fine British cheeses is a powerful temptation in itself.

A12 junct 31. B1070 to Hadleigh, B1115 to Bildeston
Nearest station: Stowmarket

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