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Preston House

A sign on the pavement outside Michael and Allison Dowling's attractive creeper-clad house welcomes people to their friendly and informal country-style restaurant. A short but tempting á la carte lunch menu offers something very unusual in restaurants: the real flavour and textures of home cooking: soups with freshly-baked brown bread, chicken liver paté with toast and salad followed, perhaps, by fish of the day or a vegetarian dish like grilled goats cheese with salad and relish. For desserts there are sophisticated classics like créme brûlée but also simple, wholesome options too, like apple crumble or fresh fruits with yoghurt. Dinner brings a three course menu with a choice of at least five dishes on each course, and also an á la carte menu.

Allison's good home cooking shines in lovely classics like coq au vin, grilled wild salmon fillet with hollandaise and a tasty vegetarian option like pasta with tomato, basil and courgette sauce. A well-chosen list of about twenty wines includes good house wines and two champagnes.

A first-floor ballroom runs across the whole width of the building and, with a library area up a few stairs at one end providing comfortable seating for non-participants and a minstrels' gallery at the other, it makes a superb venue for local events.

Preston House offers deliciously wholesome food at accessible prices, and was selected for our Happy Heart Eat Out Award in 2002.

Not suitable for children after 7 pm. Seats 35. Private room available. Restaurant toilet wheelchair accessible. L Tue-Sat,12.30-2.30; D Thu-Sat 7-9. Set D e40; also á la carte. House wine e20 sc discretionary (10% on parties of 6+). Closed Sun & Mon; Christmas period.

Accommodation:

The four large, high-ceilinged bedrooms are interestingly furnished with antiques, and unusual en-suite facilities have been cleverly incorporated without spoiling the proportions of these fine rooms by hiding them in what appears to be a long wardrobe but which opens up to reveal a row of individual facilities shower, WC etc.

Children welcome (under 4 free in parents' room). No pets. No smoking establishment. Rooms 4 (all shower only, all no smoking). Room service (limited hours). B&B e60 pps, ss e10.

Directions:

In the village, a few doors down from Morrisey's