Zagato at Aston Hall Hotel

Although handy for Sheffield & the M1, Aston Hall is tranquillity itself, sheltered from 21st-century reality by 55 acres of gardens, woodland & meadows. While the impressive 300-year-old house has undergone extensive refurbishment & expansion (with a fully fitted gym, extra bedrooms & meeting rooms), the result is more of a contemporary update with interior design matching the elegance of the original building. The split-level Zagato Restaurant is decorated in pale colours with crisply clothed, well-appointed tables & high-backed dark leather chairs. It’s a busy yet relaxed setting for sophisticated food based on produce from the region: expect ham hock & black pudding terrine with ale chutney ahead of Yorkshire rib-eye steak with fat-cut chips & pepper sauce, or venison with braised red cabbage, spring onion & bacon mash.