Leaping Hare Vineyard Restaurant, The

Barrie Jones (15 December 2007)

Four of us thoroughly enjoyed our evening visit there. The food was excellent with delightful choice on offer, presented with care. The service was attentive and unobtrusive. There was a lovely buzz and ambience within the fantastic old beamed barn, created by lots of very happy satisfied people. The cost compared favourably with all other quality restaurants in the area and none of them could bring their own superb wines to their tables. It was a wonderful experience, and we could recommend that to anyone, we would certainly be going back.

Tass Patsalides (5 February 2007)

It had been over twelve months since I last visited this restaurant and I recalled that it wasn't an amazing experience!

However, this time round I knew it was going to be different as they had a new Chef, Peter Harrison.

Peter was back on secondment following the close of his own venture "Harrisons" in Kelsale and it was good to see some of my old favourites from there on the Menu.

My partner had a deliciously salty saddleback terrine, whilst I tucked into spiced aubergine and yoghurt. To follow we had calf’s liver with bubble and squeak and I devoured the crispiest of roasted ducks on a rosti, we struggled to finish off a buttermilk pudding with blackcurrant coulis.

The verdict, Peter is still one of the best chefs operating in Suffolk, his food is considered, and he only uses the best local produce. Added to this is the fine well priced wine list.

The only negatives are how difficult the place is to find in the dark!! And the somewhat sombre service you seem to get from what I can only assume are staff who have worked there for a very long time, they remind me of those ladies that work in tearooms! The only saving grace here was the Maitre d’, who is new and I believe hails from the Savoy, more of this standard in future please.