Sweet Olive at The Chequers Inn

The Sweet Olive is at the heart of the Chequers Inn in this attractive village, offering a firmly French cuisine to a discerning public amidst a curious but compelling blend of rustic charm and continental ambience. If you like to believe that the empty wine boxes used as decorative features are an indication of what is still in the cellar prepare for a long haul.

Run by Olivier Bouet, who keeps things on their toes in the kitchen, his business partner Stephane Brun attends to front of house and matters of wine. A typical meal might start with a crispy duck salad, through escalope of venison with creamed cabbage and port wine sauce, before coming to a triumphant close with treacle sponge, custard and vanilla ice cream.

However the thing to do is watch out for the blackboard where foie gras and French cheeses share the limelight with English lamb sweetbreads, and fish specialities. When it comes to the wine list, much of which comes from Sotheby's wine auction, expect to find a heavy French influence, but one that is by no means blind to the acknowledged best of the New World.

This place really is a gem. It books up like crazy so do ring beforehand to guarantee your enjoyment.