Pot Kiln, The

The Pot Kiln is famous for being the home base of that unusually gifted man, Mike Robinson, who combines a life as an outstanding chef and innkeeper with a career as a highly rated television presenter and author of eminently readable books on cooking. His whole existence could be said to be founded round the statement, "If you are searching for Heaven on Earth, look no further than this beautiful corner of rural England and in the midst of this country setting is the kind of English pub of which dreams are made". Amazingly this paradise on earth can be found only a mile from the M4, near Reading.

No glitter and shine here, but an assembly of bits and pieces venerated by age and use, with terracotta walls, and well-worn furnishings on every hand, the sort of place which tells you with quiet certainty that this is indeed heaven on earth. A spring menu might start with rabbit roulette with pear chutney and dressed leaves, crayfish bisque with rouble and croutons, or a warm salad of wood pigeon, crispy bacon and black pudding.

Main courses draw heavily on the surrounding countryside with manta rage with homemade taleteller and Parmesan, slow braised wild rabbit with rosemary and garlic, or from further field, roast hake with pickled potatoes and braised Savoy cabbage.

Desserts could include Tonka bean rice pudding with stewed prunes, a tarter Bourdaloue, or a fine selection of artisan cheeses with homemade bread.

On weekdays there is a lunchtime special menu of 2 or 3 courses, £13.50 and £16.50 respectively, which has to be some of the best value anywhere. But do try and make it for the Sunday roast lunch, participation in which you should not leave to chance.

The Pot Kiln is the way all traditional English pubs should be.