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The Crown at Hopton is a period inn that has long carried a reputation for good food, served either in the informal Rent Room, the newer Shropshire Restaurant or the more traditional Poacher's Restaurant.

If you're someone who loves old world charm, Poachers will surely impress you with its exposed beams, stonework and large inglenook fireplace.

The cuisine is imaginative and draws from some of the more classical dishes of England and France. Local produce is invoked whenever possible and fish is a speciality of the house. So, dill pancakes with smoked salmon and lemon mayonnaise or grilled strips of pork belly with a spiced tomato relish could give way to mains of hearty fillet of beef on beetroot risotto with a port reduction or leg of lamb steak with dauphinoise potatoes and red wine gravy.

A local Shropshire wine merchant has contributed to a drinks list that includes a range of fine ports, armagnacs and cognacs.

All too often ethnic restaurants which pop up in unexpected places tend to be ignored, by reviewers in particular. I think they deserve every encouragement, since they have either perceived or intend to create, a demand. After all we are given to understand that there are now more Indian restaurants in London than there are in India itself. Such a one is Spice Empire, an Indian which certainly goes the extra mile and is well regarded by more adventurous souls in South Shropshire. It is all very traditional (Indian) and the value for money is excellent. Long may their dal delight.