The Wheatsheaf

I don’t quite know what has gone amiss in the space of one year, but the most glorious aspect about this place is its location. So naturally not a soul dined indoors whilst the warmest weather prevailed. As we sat at our table I found the clean-looking yet sticky wooden table top slightly off-putting; it craved polish and/or a buff, so at least ice cold glasses wouldn’t stick.

No grumble about staff nor pace of service or presentation. A selection of interesting homemade breads boded well. The menu had been well composed offering dishes such as asparagus with crispy hen’s egg and wild boar salami. Fish featured as choices for both starters and mains, as did pork. Beef, poultry and lamb were also in the mix. Fresh egg pasta with watercress pesto was lacking punch and a good dousing of parmesan might just have managed to transform an otherwise bland starter.

Lamb rump was cooked to order and served with seasonal vegetables, so this main came up to the mark for one of us. Less care seemed to have been applied to a chicken and mushroom pie, an unfortunate feature of which was sinew and gristle (probably constituted about 20% of filling), though could not be faulted for flavour. We may be tempted to revisit but only if the weather were to be as kind, though indoors had been decked out to appeal.

When André Michelin created his guide on French restaurants in 1900, his principle concern was the amount of tread used on tyres to reach certain restaurants. I'm not sure how he would feel about walking the four miles from Bath for lunch but it was worth having my Church's resoled for. This is a gorgeous pub cut out of the countryside run by an incredibly welcoming and jolly landlord with a nose for a decent Bordeaux. The pub itself is modern but with rustic touches, feeling airy and bright during the summer but undoubtedly warm and cosy in the winter. The food is an absolute triumph and presented with such style it would put many a glamorous West End eatery to shame. The wine list is excellent with a small skim on some very good vintages – if wine isn't your thing then the selection of beers and local ciders without any huffing as the glassware is removed. You can eat a full three course meal here for £18 and the only dissapointment will be that eventually you will have to leave.

If you are looking to get out of London and into the ‘country’ then look no further – they can even put you up for the night.

A friend recommended The Wheatsheaf Combe after they had found it on Squaremeal.co.uk. On the face of it, it looked unlikely – a country pub down a lane four miles from Bath, but as soon as you arrive you realise you have come somewhere special. The grounds are immaculate and the garden and view quite beautiful-and having returned for dinner-the lighting is discreet and sensual. The welcome is warm and friendly and all the staff give the impression of relaxed professionism-this is not a stuffy place-but service is good. The biggest surprise is the phenomenal food. It is truly outstanding, presentation, aroma and flavour all come together so successfully-and I cant believe the price-I have eaten inferior food in sumptious surroundings for alot more money! Fantastic wine list too with some outstanding bargains on the fine wine front. Really I wouldnt bother with central Bath-hot foot it to The Wheatsheaf!