The Hutt, Ravenshead

HAVING battled the bank holiday traffic nightmare of Ikea, I needed a well deserved pick-me-up.

Thankfully, I made an unexpected stop-off at The Hutt at Ravenshead - and I wasn’t disappointed.

The Hutt’s website says it was built in 1400, owned by the Byron family from 1540 and was visited by King John.

Certainly the modern-day pub boasts plenty of old fashioned twists and turns and separate seating areas - no featureless, open-plan restaurant here!

And that variety continues to the food. The only problem is making your choice from the vast array - both on the menu and the specials board.

No problem, The Hutt has thought of that and offers several platters (which can be shared)for those who can’t make their minds up - from pies and burgers, to desserts.

The menu is ever changing, with special themes to tempt the tastebuds. The Seafood Festival is currently under way, when I visited it was the Great British Food Festival.

I plumped for the substantial calves liver and bacon from the special menu, served with juicy onion rings, a wonderful honey, mustard and cider sauce and an unusual garnish of crisp sage leaves.

My partner’s braised lamb in a sweet, minted red wine sauce fell off the bone and came with green beans which weren’t over-cooked - a vegetable trap which so many pubs seem to fall into.

We finished with a raspberry and apple crumble with smooth, not-too-sweet custard and a sherry trifle torte - accompanied by a tart raspberry sauce.

With two soft drinks, a bill of £37 was very reasonable.

But back to the platters ... I am returning for the Chef and Brewer - a real feast of prawns, chicken skewers, baked goat’s cheese, sausages, mini pasties, olives, houmous, pâté and a selection of breads and dips. I can’t wait!

To contact The Hutt tel 01623 792325 or go to www.chefandbrewer.com

The pub serves food until 10pm (9.30pm Sundays).