Old Counting House, The

Suffolk is crammed full of quaint old houses in a wide variety of settings, from deepest rural to tight urban, that say a lot about this quiet county, rich in charm. They do not come much more attractive than The Old Counting House in Haughley, just outside Stowmarket, and a real haven for those who like their wining and dining to be done amongst 14th century antiquity.

Not that there is anything ancient about the cooking, far from it. Jenny and Eric, who ensure that the quality of the building is up to the same mark when it comes to the food, pride themselves on a menu that derives from years of travel and experience.

So what might one expect to find at this warm and welcoming restaurant? An a la carte menu, which is reviewed every three months, offers starters that could include beef teriyaki - sliced prime fillet with teriyaki sauce and garnish, beef carpaccio topped with balsamic vinegar, pine nuts, sun-dried tomatoes, pesto and parmesan cheese or truffle and mushroom risotto - creamy risotto rice with truffles and mushrooms.

Food from the oceans is very popular here, and it was a pleasant surprise to find the traditional pan fried fresh whole Dover sole with hot parsley butter and new potatoes plus a good range of other interesting fish dishes. Carnivores however are not forgotten, far from it - amongst a wide selection of meat, poultry and game is prime British beef fillet steak, cooked just how you like it - with smoked bacon, port sauce and potato gratin.

For the vegetarians amongst us, there's an impressive offering of suitable dishes throughout the menus, as to, for those wishing to venture into trying a dish or two with international influence, you will not be disappointed.

The wine list moves purposefully across the globe, with several by the glass, and all  given a taste guide number for ease of choice. The South American market is well represented, and Australia comes up with a stunning cabernet merlot, Tempus Two Copper, said to have length, depth and persistence.

For those who support the traditional Sunday lunch rest assured that no-one does it better than The Old Counting House, nor at such good value for money. You can even take the smaller members of the family along for under a fiver.

A good time to be at The Old Counting House is when they have one of their country theme nights, with inspiration drawn from Spain, France, Italy, Greece and Thailand. Special nights such as Halloween and Valentine's Night do not pass unnoticed.

Nothing stands still for very long at this vibrant restaurant, so be sure to click on their Website for latest news.