This lovely country pub in the village of Nonington serves a wonderful selection of gourmet meals, all freshly prepared by the talented kitchen team using ingredients sourced from local suppliers. This newly refurbished premises incorporates a snug area furnished with comfortable leather seats; a restaurant which overlooks the neighbouring farmland; and a warm and cosy bar area with a wood-burner. There is also a lovely garden, perfect for alfresco dining.
The varied menu offers a plethora of tempting delights, including many well-known favourites, and there are also many fine drinks to choose from, including wines, soft drinks and Timothy Taylor’s Landlord ale. To start I chose the pan-fried pigeon breast from the specials board, which was beautifully succulent and served with a silky smooth pea purée and slices of melt-in-the-mouth black pudding. My companion enjoyed a starter from the à la carte menu: juicy king prawns cooked in garlic and herb butter and accompanied by fluffy home-baked bread.
For mains, I plumped for loin of veal cooked in a rich Bourguignon sauce and served with a selection of perfectly al dente vegetables. The homemade steak and ale pie was comfort food at its finest, and came served with the best mashed potato we have ever sampled. For dessert we tucked into the homemade creme brulée and pannacotta, both of which were decadently sweet and creamy – an apt way to conclude an evening of top-quality dining.
