The Fox and Hounds is an 18th century stone built pub not far from Northampton, offering all the pleasures of a quintessential English public house, with traditional values set in an attractive modern design. The sandstone and thatch cottages of Harlestone stand testament to the centuries of quarrying that has taken place in the area.

Their attention to detail and quality of service ensures your dining experience has to be one to remember. Relax over beers, continental pilsners, decent clarets and fruity New World Sauvignons in the garden or in the dark wood and bright leather interiors. Food is served all day, from the bar menu, containing lighter bites, through to a full set of options.

The choices are simple but up-to-the-minute, with lots of comfort appeal, homely things like pizza, steaks and pasta as well as contemporary, global touches to keep the palate lively, all delivered by friendly and cheerful staff.

To set the right note of fashionable sociability there are sharing plates, antipasti of Italian meats, dolcelatte, marinated vegetables and warm stone-baked flatbreads, or Mediterranean mezze of hummus, roasted vegetables, fregola, tzatziki, feta, spinach and ricotta pâté with warm flatbreads.

Amongst the appetisers there is freshly made soup; smoked salmon, pomegranate molasses, fennel and micro herb salad, or dolcelatte and pear tart with red onion marmalade. Look, too, for scallops in the specials section.

The salads offer chargrilled chicken, courgette, fennel, apple, asparagus, hazelnut and balsamic dressing, whilst for the seafood enthusiasts some prawn and avocado with pecans, mango, bacon, orange and pomegranate vinaigrette are well received.

These days no self-respecting gastropub can afford to be without its pizza range; expect to find a classic margherita of cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, pomodoro and basil, the rustica with roasted Mediterranean vegetables, goats' cheese and cherry tomatoes and, or the piccante with pepperoni, chorizo, tomato and jalapeños.

Pastas include linguini with tiger prawns, crab, chorizo, chilli, tomato and white wine, or tagliatelle with slow cooked Bolognaise and parmesan. For the big event there is always a spit chicken with lemon, garlic, thyme and frites.

The battered haddock, frites, tartare sauce and minted mushy peas is popular, a sign of the times and improving taste in eating. For hearty eaters there are rib eye and fillet steaks or roast rump of lamb with sauce soubise, asparagus, pancetta, button onions and baby potatoes.

A wide range of supporting dishes includes rosemary frites and mayo, and cabbage, leeks and peas. For desserts choose between an apple, blackcurrant crumble and vanilla custard and, sticky toffee pudding with vanilla ice cream. There is also a selection of cheeses to set the buffs alight.

More information, including full menus, is available on their Website. Please note that the E-Mail Contact is for enquiries only, not for bookings.