Olive Branch

Set amidst the deep rural beauty of Rutland, this much fêted village pub continues to offer some of the best food and drink for miles around, with an excellent wine list, an array of draught and bottled beers and a timelessness that refreshes; most recently with the addition of six beautiful en-suite rooms located in the converted house across the road. Taken over by the present owners in 1999, there is now a regular flow of locals and longer distance customers who find the genuine article in this friendly place.

Created out of three cottages in 1890, The Olive Branch was at the heart of the community until its closure in 1997 and then re-opened in 1999 following a renovation, just in time for Christmas, and guests have often feel that here is a place that has it right. To prove the point there is a list of awards that would make the BAFTAs look like a car boot sale, nicely topped off with a Michelin Star in 2002, which it has held onto ever since; and to cap them all, Michelin made them their Pub of the Year 2008. With the credits well and truly rolled let's take a look at the day to day reality.

Apart from a dinner menu there are four others, the lunch, blackboard and lunch for even less. All have their own time and setting. From the dinner menu expect to find starters, or small dishes some of which can be taken as large, that include Thai styled steamed mussels and mushroom risotto with wild mushroom fricassée.

In a pub as close to Lincolnshire as this it would be strange not to find some of the famous sausages, and sure enough here are the Grasmere Farm variety served with mustard mash and onion gravy. Venison from the nearby Grimsthorpe Estate, Herdwick braised shoulder of lamb, and pot roast partridge from the Belvoir Estate all make regular and welcome dishes in season.

Puddings tend to be a riot of wickedness, with croissant and butter pudding and caramelised lemon tart with raspberry sorbet. Cheese buffs will need restraining, with Long Clawson Stilton, Sparkenhoe Red Leicester and Gevrik goats? cheese to name but three. That's before they even get to see the wine list and all its appendages, a veritable treasure vat of indulgence, helpfully offering guidance obtained, I feel sure from long and pleasurable experience.

The traditional blackboard menu is called upon at lunchtime, with a two course lunch at £16.50, say, game terrine with quince jelly, followed by pan-fried salmon with cauliflower puree, cheese and onion rösti, or blackcurrant and apple crumble. You might do worse than line up a bottle of Trappistes Rochefort No 6 from the Abbeye de St Remy in Belgium to go with it - at 7.5%, the Monks are to be congratulated.

Truly this is a pub to remember. Find out more, if you are not already on your way, by referring to their attractive and welcoming Website, which contains menus and a full wine and ale list.