Fredericks at The Ickworth

Richard P. ( Over 60, Male )

As a mature couple with a birthday to celebrate, we selected Frederick's at the Ickworth, and enjoyed an evening of mixed blessings. Perhaps most importantly, the food is very, very good, beautifully presented and at fair prices given the standards set. The wine selection is also pretty good, and as overpriced as everywhere else. The retaurant ambiance is quiet, with soft background music in a low-lit pair of adjoining high-ceilinged, rather ornate rooms with interesting modern art – which, strangely – went well with the classical surroundings. Service was professional and attentive, apart from a young waiter called us wrinklies ‘you guys’. The lounge/bar/holding tank is also pleasant, with an excellent bartender.

But there were niggles, the worst of which was an almost complete lack of signage within the Ickworth estate to guide motorists to (and away from) the restaurant. In the dark, even the car park was carefully hidden once the separate building housing Frederick's was eventually located: a long wet and dark walk to the unsigned front door. Signage within the building was also poor: plan well ahead if you need to trek to the loos. The bringing of the bill (£115) at the end of the evening to the lounge where we had coffee was also laboured, and the bill was wrong.

In spite of such small annoyances, it's a hard-to-beat evening if you want serious food and drink in classy surroundings.