Norfolk, French Restaurant Guide

“Wonderfully situated restaurant on the Holkham Estate”, with “lovely views over the marshes” and “excellent local produce” on the menu – much of it grown on the estate itself. The Vic is regularly listed as one of the UK’s favourite boutique hotels, and last year added four shepherd’s huts to its accommodation options. “If you’re dining here you do have to like dogs – after all this is in the depths of rural Norfolk, and there are sometimes a good number of them”. No-one has harsh critiques of the cooking, nor for that matter grand claims. Top Menu Tip – “a favourite from the lunch plats du jour is salmon and prawn pie with sauteed greens”.

Launched in 2020 by Frenchman Thomas Aubrit, son of a cook and nephew of a butcher, and English wife Gemma (FOH), this “very small” but very good Gallic outfit in Norwich Lanes has cemented its popularity with “simple good food” from a short menu featuring all the expected classics (e.g., onion soup, boeuf bourguignon). Thanks to the “very attentive” hosts, a “warm atmosphere” pervades both the miniscule downstairs bar and the 20-seat upstairs dining room.