Harleston, British, Modern Restaurant Guide

“Consistently great cooking from Paul Yaxley” that’s “reasonably priced”, too, makes this “absolutely delightful venue” – a Grade II listed former guildhall – “a destination for that ‘special occasion’ dinner”, with “attentive service” led by his wife, Sarah. Some fans, though, say “the cooking’s good but it would be nice to see the menu revamped more often”.

This “terrific find just outside Norwich” is an “excellent gastropub” with “really pleasant staff” – owned and run by locally born chef Daniel Smith, it’s “sister to the Ingham Swan and just as good”. Originally a village pub called the Red Lion, it was re-named with an African theme as the Wildebeest by a previous owner, and the name stuck. Top Tip – “the daily fixed-price lunch is very good and very good value”.

Excellent feedback this year for ex-Alimentum chef Mark Poynton’s dining room in a country-house hotel a ten-minute drive from Norwich. The odd reporter feels that “the venue doesn’t match the food just yet”, but all agree that “you’re made to feel special as soon as you enter the restaurant” and that the food – which is exclusively from a tasting menu – is “fantastic”. At six courses for £49.50 per person, the entry-level option is particularly affordable.