Two years ago and long before the recession and the end of civilisation as we know it, we launched our Dine With Wine menu. Little has changed except the price, the reduction in VAT allowed us to bring the price down. It is now a two course lunch including a glass of St Jean Conques or St Chinian Merlot for only £11.35. You can also upgrade your wine to a glass of Joseph Perrier Champagne for just £2.50.

We change the menu approximately every 6 weeks, and quite a few guests have asked for the next menu ahead of time, and I have to admit we have had to let them down. In this disappointment lies the secret of the truly modestly priced menu. The only way we can keep the prices down is by making the menu up after conversation with our butcher and fishmonger. The question is quite simple “what’s good value at the moment?” Once we have the cut of meat or piece of fish, then we put the recipes and menu together. Quite simple really, if a bit restrictive. We don’t claim to have invented anything, the Table D’hôtes idea goes back as far as the 17th century, it was available in French taverns and Inns for travellers who where offered a good value set menu at a set price on a communal table. We of course will not ask you to share your table anymore,  but we do follow the tradition of scouring suppliers for the best value food so that we can pass the savings onto our guests.

Bon appétit.