Ross House Great Notley, Braintree, Essex

Chef-Owner Tom Clarke built up an impressive resume before returning to his Essex roots to open this lovely village inn with his partner. After a charming welcome from Nancy into the characterful interior, where a small bar still serves some local drinkers, it’s time to enjoy the hearty yet refined cooking. Classical flavour and texture combinations run throughout a menu served well by quality produce, with desserts like dark chocolate crémeux proving a real highlight.

From the wooden beams to the antique furniture, there’s a huge amount of character to this spacious pub that sits inside four former cottages. The welcoming feel of the inglenook fireplace is matched by the warmth and pride of the service team as they serve a menu offering something for everyone, from a few pub classics to more inventive dishes. Great care in the cooking allows strong, complementary flavours to shine through, as in a lemon posset dessert with pistachio cream and a great bergamot gel. On a summer’s day, make sure you head straight for the terrace.

A red-brick former pub provides the new home for this restaurant, which has long been a feature of the local dining scene. A large array of menus is available and the fixed price lunch is a steal. The experienced chef knows how to get the best out of his ingredients and dishes burst with flavour from the effective combinations. They even run regular cookery classes for kids.