Ockenden Manor

Foodess ( 50s, Female, United Kingdom )

A small hotel with restaurant worthy of a gastronomic country jaunt. One would expect décor to be classic in a building dating back to 1400’s, but don’t expect dishes to be served in straight classic style. Fresh flavours are produced with a fair portion of imagination. Start with langoustine & crispy pork belly or tomato consommé with seasonal veg & soft herbaceous gnocchi (best gnocchi I’d had, but could have been better balanced overall), or asparagus with confit salmon. Assiette of pork (accurately described by SqM) & turbot with langoustine sauce pleased both sides of our table with taste exchanges going on throughout the meal.
Dishes are not ground-breaking in design & nor do you get whacked with lots of big flavours, but much of the menu seems to be aimed to gently tantalise, though some dishes certainly don’t lack power – a good summery balance. A great deal of thought & care had gone into what we ate, from the pork rillette canapé, rich cheesy potato & bacon amuse bouche, right through to the desserts such as cherry & almond clafoutis with deep, tart red wine sauce or caramelised white chocolate profiteroles. We enjoyed efficient & friendly service too.
As for the wallet damage, don’t expect to get much change from £80/head for 3 courses including wine.
I note a SqM reviewer complained of portion size at sister hotel, Bailiff’s court (run by the same Executive chef), and we had no problem managing 3 courses without sharing dessert which for us is a rarity. Upon arrival of the petit fours we began to struggle. It’s easy to see why this could – as I’ve read – be leader in a pack of a group of 3.