Russell’s

Formerly the showroom of famed furniture designer Gordon Russell, this Cotswold gem buzzes with good humour in the evening, when genteel locals, smart tourists & out-of-towners descend on the place for some top-notch gastronomic action. The two interconnecting dining rooms look the part, with prints & deep-coloured upholstery offsetting original features including Russell furniture & a cavernous fireplace stacked with wine. Chef Damian Clisby (ex-Pied à Terre) sources his ingredients diligently, & their quality shines through in dishes such as a bracingly fresh crab cocktail or tender rump of Lighthorne lamb with crisp-topped pommes Anna. For dessert, picture-perfect, moreish cherry clafoutis with crème anglaise rounds things off in style; alternatively, try one of the cheeses ‘of the moment’. A constantly changing wine list, seasonal set menus & a cracking Sunday lunch also attract the crowds, & there are beautifully designed bedrooms for those wanting to stay over.