Restaurant Gilmore at Strine's Farm

Here is a real treasure in the heart of the countryside. Originally in the middle of Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter the original Restaurant Gilmore closed down to pave the way for a countryside version, always the dream of Paul and Dee Gilmore. Now it is an established and much prized destination for those who value the sort of food that goes with a Bib Gourmand in the Michelin Guide, two AA Rosettes and an entry in the Good food Guide.

The setting is superb, with some 7 acres of land round the farmhouse, beautiful gardens that produce much of the produce used in the kitchen, both vegetable and animal. The emphasis needless to say is on freshness and genuinely interesting food.

Three menus are on offer, lunch on Thursday and Friday, evening menu from Wednesday to Saturday and a Sunday lunch served at 1pm for 1.30. The dinner menu offers a three course event and could start with warm smoked salmon with scrambled egg and watercress sauce, or roasted parsnip soup with curried chick peas.

Frequently seen main courses could consist of seared loin of blue fin tuna, roasted cherry tomato and pesto dressing, new potatoes, and green beans, and the house favourite of poached blade of Staffordshire beef, field mushrooms, rosti potatoes and port jus. More local fare might be a roasted loin of venison with sweet and sour pears and chestnuts. To my way of thinking there are few better dishes offered than the pan fried Aberdeen Angus rib eye with a shallot and pancetta stew.

The restaurant's own angle on bread and butter pudding with a rich vanilla sauce Anglaise could be competing with Valrhona Manjari chocolate and sweet chilli brûlée, brandied cherries and chocolate cream sauce. One of the great delights of going to this restaurant is to know that the constantly varying menu is unlikely to ever offer a dish that will be anything but appealing.

A well travelled wine list of character provides something for everyone, both in style and cost. Their New World wines in particular display a single minded aptitude for finding real, and sometimes hitherto little known, treats. In all ways this is a restaurant for those who prefer integrity in their approach to eating out, and the word 'gourmet' springs very much to mind.

Keep abreast of their menu changes and other flexible feasts by clicking on their simple to use and attractive Website.