With so many traditional pubs to choose from in Somerset the choice can often be a little overwhelming – however, The Faulkland Inn, in the little village of Faulkland, is a welcome change for those looking for something a little different.

Chef David Cummins is renowned for his creative Caribbean-influenced fare. Every dish that comes out of the kitchen is freshly prepared using the finest locally sourced ingredients, and the menu offers an eclectic array of flavours, from stuffed chicken breast with Parma ham to the ever-popular curried goat Michaela. Choose from the separate lunch and evening menus, and don’t forget to take a peek at the specials board, which changes daily. To begin, we chose to share the antipasti meat selection – a medley of colour and flavour, with Parma ham, salami, feta, olives, gherkins, onions and leaves lightly drizzled with olive oil. It was the perfect start to our meal. I opted for a true taste of the tropics for my main, ordering the hot and spicy Jamaican jerk chicken, which came highly recommended by the waiter. I was not disappointed; the succulent chicken was full of flavour. Across the table, my companion couldn’t resist the venison steak from the specials board. Both dishes were served with rice, peas and rich gravy, and the chef kindly whipped up two fresh chilli salsas to accompany the steak. The dessert menu was just as impressive, with delights such as fresh cream and blackcurrant roulade, bread and butter pudding and toffee apple cobbler all vying for our attention. Eventually we decided to share the cherry cheesecake, which was beautifully presented and accompanied by a tangy raspberry and mango sauce.

All in all, the Faulkland Inn is a wonderful village pub with a great atmosphere. There’s also a good selection of locally brewed real ales and quality wines on offer, which we definitely plan to sample on our next visit. So why not add a little Caribbean sunshine to your day and visit the Faulkland Inn.