Rose and Crown, The

A major investment by its new owners has transformed this former wayside inn. It has been completely restyled and extended to create a sixteen bedroom hotel that is already becoming known for its individuality and contemporary character.

The new, modern interior together with its dedicated and friendly management style, make it a venue equally appealing to local diners, businesses, weekend visitors and to those celebrating a special event.

The Rose and Crown is also well known for its events: they regularly hold live music evenings, gourmet dinners, wine tastings and themed evenings with an international flavour.

Their menus change regularly but the following dishes will give you an idea of their style of food: with starters such as smoked local duck paté, spiced plum chutney and fried walnut bread; caramelised onion and cheddar tart balsamic leaves; cider-cured potted ham with cornichons, country breads and homemade aioli or a bowl of Cornish mussels with cream, Gruyère, white wine, house breads.

Certain dishes like pan-fried corn-fed chicken with garlic flageolet beans, smoked sausage and grated Parmesan or Gorgonzola risotto with peas, fine beans and Parmesan can be taken as either a first or second course. Main dishes vary from the robust - game pie with ham hock, partridge and rabbit, with rich 'Perigourdine' gravy, shortcrust butter pastry, and panache of steamed autumn vegetables or lamb shank 'Provencal' with navarin of root vegetables and baby potatoes.

Through to the refined, for instance pan-fried sea bass fillet, lobster bisque mousse, courgette and confit potato with roquette velouté or roasted monkfish in crispy Parma ham on creamy Savoy cabbage and crispy julienne of carrot. While their creamy fish pie is extremely popular, with prawns, scallops and buttered greens and a cheddar and crab crust.

Lunches can be a altogether simpler affair, and they have good value set menus both then and in the evening; for much more information, including wine list, bedrooms details and more, have a look at their informative Website.