Restaurant-Guide.com
hand picked restaurants

A traditional coaching inn with origins extending back to the 12th century The Westleton Crown retains the antiquity and charm of its heritage whilst notching up the creature comforts to modern levels in its new gastropub guise. It is perfectly situated for exploring the Suffolk Heritage Coast, in particular the picturesque coastal towns of Southwold and Aldeburgh, the culture of the concert hall at Snape Maltings or the wild and beautiful nature of Dunwich Heath and the RSPB Minsmere nature reserve.

As well as being a 'gastropub with rooms' it retains the atmosphere of a genuine local with its gently crackling log fires, real ales and an air of peace and homeliness. No wonder though that it has gained two AA Rosettes and is Suffolk Dining Pub of the Year in the Good Pub Guide 2008.

The Westleton Crown is a good port of call when it comes to that sudden impulsive weekend break, or quiet spot to roost in for a couple of nights when on tour. In 2006 all individual and stylish bedrooms were given a complete refurbishment, bringing new levels of luxury and comfort. There are three types of room, Good, Better and Best. More specifically, choose from cosy singles, luxurious doubles with nickel or four poster beds, and a couple of spacious family rooms. All 34 rooms are en suite and have flat screen televisions.

Hoteliers are increasingly realising that when people go away to stay, the quality of the bedroom and its furnishings is rather akin to breakfast - at home this is usually, though regrettably, a fairly sparse occasion, but go away and you expect the full monty, and so it is with beds. Fully sprung mattresses, goose down duvets, crisp white Egyptian cotton and oversize pillows come to mind, and The Crown has them all.

If there are two words to describe the food, they would be 'hearty' yet sophisticated, and you'd probably be seeing seared scallops and roast loin of rabbit with salsify, prune jam and a pea shoot salad, or devilishly tasty fresh Brancaster mussels with a fennel, saffron cream sauce and crisp croutons.

The appetite duly sharpened it would be time to think of the braised shoulder and roast rump of local new season lamb, supported by aubergine caviar, herb rösti and a caper and tomato jus, or possibly herb-crusted fillet of turbot with puy lentils, morel mushrooms and a bouillabaisse froth. Follow with a baked Alaska served with raspberry syrup.

The wine list is a masterly exercise, with a good breadth of choice with a good number by the medium or large glass. Trust the Australians to put some point into Riesling, ask for the Howard Park '06. Lebanese Gaston Hochar '00 is well worth a call, and the list generally moves nimbly between the upper and lower ranges, only occasionally hitting the 50-plus mark.

Like any good country inn there's a choice of places in which to enjoy your food, with the front bar offering a huge open fireplace, or the more elegant dining room or snug. For the al fresco touch try the large airy conservatory or a pretty terraced garden.

There's always something going on at The Westleton Crown, and a quick click on their Website will put you fully in the picture.

Here's another excellent seaside destination from Adnams in Southwold, which proves to be a great source of delight whether for their remarkable accommodation or their superb 2 AA rosette awarded restaurant. The Swan Hotel boasts of all the modern comforts that you might expect in its 42 unique bedrooms while the Lighthouse rooms, named so because they offer marvellous views of Southwold's famed Victorian lighthouse, are an indulgence you should allow yourself, given their location and the promise of the seaside so nearby.

The restaurant offers traditional classics along with contemporary favourites with a notable French influence and typically you could expect dishes such as Loch Duart salmon sashimi with crayfish and lemon salad for starters. Move on to a main course of fillet of Dingley Dell pork, Parma ham, spiced figs, gnocchi, spinach and red wine reduction and finish with an iced pistachio parfait with plum and red wine syrup. The wine list at the Swan is extensive and has something for every taste and pocket.

The picturesque seaside village of Walberswick is home to The Bell Inn, a charming pub that has been around for 600 years, and is today a favoured watering hole for locals and visitors. Its long tradition is evident when you see the open fires, oak furniture and flagstone floors and easily borders into nostalgia, while the spacious garden is a preferred spot during the warmer months. Since they also function as a bed and breakfast establishment, guests can choose to stay the night and savour the true Suffolk character and hospitality.

A meal there might consist of starters of smoked paprika seasoned whitebait, lemon crème fraîche and bread followed by their renowned fish and chips - either beer battered haddock, cod or whole tail scampi - or the creamy fish pie topped with homemade cheese. Some of their delicious desserts include a lemon charlotte and strawberry coulis and the drinks list at The Bell includes a good selection of Adnams beers and fine wines.

The Randolph is situated in the quiet village of Reydon, just fifteen minutes walk from the heart of picturesque Southwold and is an ideal location to explore the Suffolk heritage coast. The relaxed local atmosphere attracts guests whether they are looking for short breaks, business meetings or simply a pint of the local brew. Hosts David and Donna Smith and the friendly, attentive service will make your visit a pleasant one.

The lounge bar is light and airy overlooking a sunny enclosed garden while the modern British cuisine is served in a large dining area. Among starters try the Cantonese braised shin of beef salad with spring onions and cucumber, and for main course you could opt for char grilled rib eye steak with green peppercorn sauce with chips and classical garnish. A white chocolate pannacotta with a spiced orange and kumquat compote could finish the meal on a sweet note.

The stylish and contemporary Blyth in Southwold, with its backdrop of sunny skies and the seafront so close, is as perfect a seaside hotel as can be. Relax and get rejuvenated in the comfortable bedrooms and later on explore the town leisurely before coming back to the warm and welcoming atmosphere of the hotel. The restaurant is ideal for a spot of sustenance and even if you're not a guest, you can head there with a bunch of friends and enjoy a delicious meal.

The restaurant at The Blyth offers a dining experience that is stunning in its simplicity and endearing in its effortless execution of well loved classics. Fresh seasonal ingredients are featured extensively and you could expect to start with the fish stew with tarragon aioli and chives followed by roast chump of lamb, dauphinoise potatoes, buttered Savoy cabbage and a red wine jus. Finally end with the stem ginger baked Alaska, rhubarb and whiskey compote. Wines and beers naturally come from the famed local brewery Adnams.

Size doesn't matter for many of The Crown Hotel's long time guests because although this Southwold hotel might be considered small to a certain extent, it is the comfort level that matters. There's no compromise on that factor, which is why this Adnams hotel is a popular destination for many who visit the charming Suffolk seaside town. Stroll into their famed, award winning restaurant for a delicious meal and you can understand what the fuss is all about, particularly the freshness of the dishes, which are created from only the best locally sourced produce, meats, fish and seafood.

A typical menu might begin with shredded ham hock, duck egg, homemade black pudding and mustard dressing, leading on to confit of Gressingham duck, Aspall cider braised lentils, pancetta and Savoy cabbage, or Lowestoft 'Maximus' line caught cod fillet with roasted leeks and celeriac. End on a fine note with the rhubarb and Adnams pink fizz tart with ginger syrup.

The award winning wine list offers an excellent choice with over 150 wines and a further 20 available by the glass. Great quality beers include Southwold Adnams' Bitters, Aspall Suffolk Cider and a premium Bitburger Lager. Adnams Copper House Distillery's gins and vodkas are a must try too.

An attractive pub in the popular town of Southwold, The King's Head offers a welcoming and relaxing atmosphere where locals and visitors converge to drink, eat and luxuriate in the Suffolk experience. With their proximity to the sea front, lighthouse and the museum, their bed and breakfast service is an excellent option so you can explore the area at a more leisurely pace. Delicious home cooked food is available in their restaurant and it's the perfect place to drop by for a satisfying dinner after a day of sightseeing.

They also have a light bites section along with the proper à la carte, bringing pub favourites and classics together with salads and pizzas. Children are welcome and a menu dedicated to their requirements sees to it that they are occupied pleasantly. Since The King's Head is a tenanted house belonging to Adnams brewery, you can expect to find their ales on draught along with other superb choices such as Carling, Kronenborg, Carlsberg, Fosters, Guinness to name but a few.