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Whilst Reeves Restaurant trips off the tongue, so also does Rumbles Cottage (its address) - why not Rumbles Restaurant? Anyway here in this very traditional beamed cottage the Bannister family have established a splendidly popular little place, recognised for seven years running by the award of one Rosette by the AA. The food is consistent and meticulously prepared. The chef, Chris Jagger, travelled the world as chef to the McLaren Formula One racing team and created an ultimate fine dining experience for the sponsors and their guests.

Start with a radicchio wrapped terrine of celeriac and ceps, flat leaf parsley and garlic vinaigrette or goats cheese and wild rocket ravioli with red basil pesto, endive salad. Follow with the poached troncon of turbot, courgette flower fritters, Noilly Prat velouté with garlic mash, and conclude with a baby apricot clafoutis with praline ice cream. Well-trained and presented staff are a joy to be served by. A good wine list with house wine from £14.95. It may not surprise you to know that Reeves won The Essex Restaurant of the Year Award 2008, a prestigious and fiercely competitive event organised by the Essex Chronicle Media Group.

Rebuilt after a devastating fire in the early 1900s, the Swan at Felsted has enjoyed pride of place in this picturesque North Essex Village for centuries. It is ideally located on Station Road in the heart of East Anglia, and a mere fifteen minutes from Stansted airport; the imposing exterior excels within a delightfully clean and refreshing atmosphere with contemporary decoration, friendly and attentive staff.

Freshly prepared menus are stacked with local produce and the food is designed to stimulate the senses, whilst retaining a simplicity that allows the quality of the ingredients to shine through. Changing seasonally, the à la carte offers crispy aromatic duck, honey glazed pork belly and shepherd's pie, whilst the lunch menu keeps diners in touch with its pub roots with dishes like chicken liver pâté and Swan beer battered fish and chips.