The Dining Room at Stoke Park

Perfectly secluded, yet just a short drive from the capital, historic Stoke Park has starred in many a Hollywood movie, but is now making waves as a five-star country-house hotel. Like the mansion itself, the dining room comes with stunning views over the 350-acre estate, combining opulent thick-pile carpets & embossed wallpaper with a sense of history. Meanwhile, the kitchen delivers a pretty parade of elegant starters such as plump scallops interleaved with puff-pastry discs & delicate Thai asparagus, while it’s cloches at the ready for the main courses – though a tender roasted duck suprême with punchy smoked-duck lardons & rich cherry gravy is anything but retro. To finish, look for the deconstructed Snickers bar with chocolate mousse, caramel foam & peanut tuile. The whole show runs like clockwork, thanks to maître d' Howard Davies, who woos the Home Counties’ set with his unstarched manner & light touch.