Mt Fuji Restaurant

Ten minutes from Swindon and the M4, Stanton House is a real dream Cotswold country house unencumbered with the practical inconvenience of antiquity, but just as charming. The house has been added to with sensitivity to give space for 82 bedrooms. Outside beautifully maintained gardens give a restful background against which to relax and enjoy this delightful corner of England.

It comes therefore as something of a surprise, even if the name is a giveaway, to find that in the Mt Fuji Restaurant full-on Japanese cuisine is served, offering the opportunity for an insight into traditional Japanese culture and eating, starting with the design and décor before going on to food that is freshly prepared and cooked to enhance the flavours and sensations. As they say at the hotel, 'your tastebuds will be in heaven'.

Within the restaurant there are four distinct dining areas, Ashai, Kame, Tsuru and Sakura, offering the opportunity to experience traditional Hori Gotatsu, or low level seating. Best be aware that customers are required to remove their shoes on entering the restaurant. Attractively presented menus illustrate each dish, with descriptions in Japanese and English.

Starters of soya beans in their pods, octopus battered with fruit sauce and white fishcakes not only sound enticing but are seen to be too, a vital point in appealing to potential customers.

A typical dinner menu could consist of skewered chicken with a sweet soy dressing, lightly battered squid rings, three varieties of sashimi, four varieties of tempura, sea eel with a sweet soy dressing and Japanese omelette, and simmered spiced belly pork, and desserts include pancake with Azuki beans and Japanese ice cream with mixed fruits, jelly and sweet Azuki beans, all served in a bento box.

Pockets of sweet tofu filled with sushi rice, lightly battered prawn and vegetables, sliced beef sirloin with a sesame dressing, fried aubergine with hot soba soup are also excellent choices.

The manner in which English country house meets Japanese cuisine is skilfully handled, nor let it be supposed that European cuisine is not also available, in the Rosemary restaurant. But that, as they say, is another story; find out more on their Website.