Dinner at Northcote Manor is, I understand, available both to guests and non-guests. Whether or not you are staying here, I would strongly recommend you eat at the hotel – the food is incredibly good. There isn’t a huge choice – perhaps 3 to 5 for each course – but everything is designed and cooked to perfection. Over the 3 nights we were at Northcote Manor, I had risotto of a different kind each evening as a starter – one with roast vegetables, one with crab, and one with herbs, and each was sublime. My boyfriend had risotto a couple of times, and a truly excellent soup. The starter is accompanied by small, freshly-baked bread rolls, which are also very good.
For a main course, I had fish each evening – cod, sea-bass, and sole – and again each one was amazing. My boyfriend had lamb once and steak twice, and enjoyed both. The main course is accompanied by a selection of simply prepared, tasty, seasonal vegetables. The wine list is well thought-out and accompanies the food well, and unlike many restaurants, most of the wines are available by the glass if you don’t want to drink a whole bottle.
The desserts followed the pattern of the main courses – a small selection of things that changed each day. I had a very good coffee ice-cream with meringue, and a fruit-salad twice, and my boyfriend had cheese each evening: a selection of local cheeses with biscuits, apple and cheese.
If you aren’t totally full by the end of all this, nothing would ever fill you up! We adjourned to the lounge for coffee, which came with a selection of home-made small petit fours which I was utterly unable to touch, but my boyfriend seemed to like them.
The restaurant has comfortable chairs, crisp linen, and helpful, friendly service. You can order your meal in the bar, and then come through when the starter arrives if you want. Similarly you can take your dessert and coffee through to the bar or lounge; they are very happy to be flexible.
The food in Northcote Manor is extremely special, and at £32 a head, a very good value too; I can’t recommend it enough.