Lincolnshire, French Restaurant Guide

Chef Gavin Aitkenhead and FOH Samantha Tomkins continue to preside over this well-known destination, occupying the second oldest house in the country (circa 1170). Feedback is limited but upbeat, saying “prices have gone up a notch this year… but so has the quality”. Menus are very focused: the three-course option, available early week till Thursday has a couple of options at each stage for £88 per person, or there are four-course and six-course tasting menus always available for £99 and £125 per person respectively.

You’ll look online in vain for the website of Harry & Caroline Hallam’s quirky venue – one of the country’s earliest supper-club-type experiences, which has seen them serving up to 10 guests in the red-painted front room of their Georgian house for the last 30 years (and which had a Michelin star until about 2010). Harry is still in the kitchen and Caroline still front of house. It only inspires a couple of regular fans in our annual diners’ poll nowadays but they continue to say it’s an exceptional experience (if one whose ambience necessarily derives somewhat from your dining companions on the evening).