Harden's survey result
Summary
Harry & Caroline Hallam are celebrating thirty years in business at this 10-seater in their front room (which started decades before pop-ups and supper clubs entered the mainstream). Harry cooks (in a fairly traditional style), Caroline serves, and ratings all-round remain outstanding. There’s no website – they write out a hand-written menu daily. Book ahead, or they won’t know to buy food for you.
Summary
Harry & Caroline Hallam’s quaint 10-seater feels like you’re dining in their front room – you are! – with Harry at the stoves presenting you with a small, hand-written menu with a couple of choices for each course, and Caroline front of House. Their venture was founded long before the term pop-up had acquired its current meaning: they are about to enter their 30th year in business! Reports are not as numerous as once they were, but their small, loyal fan club are as ecstatic as ever regarding the exceptional cuisine and genuine welcome.
Summary
“Unique: a bucket-list, must-visit experience!”; Harry and Caroline Hallam’s “quaint” 10-seat venture, in their front room, continues to dazzle most reporters, owing to Caroline’s “lovely” personal service, and Harry’s “outstanding cooking”, using whatever seemed good to buy that day. In such a tiny space, ambience can be elusive (and is somewhat dependent on fellow diners), and it also drew some unusual flak for being “overpriced” this year, amidst the odd accusation that it had “lost its sparkle somewhat”. On most reports, however, this remains one of the UK’s most individual of indies!
Summary
“Everyone should book and make a detour when heading past on the A1, for this total delight from start to finish”. Harry & Caroline Hallam’s “cosy” front room provides the venue for this unique 10-seat venture which delivers “ravishing yet simple haute cuisine from a tiny hand-written menu” (with Harry buying “whatever is available and good on the day”). Caroline’s service “couldn’t be more friendly and welcoming” – if there’s a concern it’s that it can “feel slightly awkward if you’re the only table there” (but even that strikes some reporters as “romantic”).
Restaurant details
17 High Street, Great Gonerby, NG31 8JS
Opening hours
lunch 12.30 pm - 2 pm, dinner 7 pm - 9.30 pm
Last orders: Mon closed, Tue - Sat 8.30 pm, Sun closed
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