MD's review of The Terrace Dining Room at Cliveden

The visit to the Terrace Dining Room at Cliveden was indeed a special and nostalgic one, having visited its grounds for many years. It is certainly an experience to enter the grand house having only ever laid eyes upon it from the outside and it is as you would expect it – filled with an air of a life once lived and a grandeur beyond expectation. However once the initial novelty and fascination wear off, you do begin to see some of the cracks (literally in some parts of the dining room) of this once prime property. Silverware is dull and tired, the carpet showing wear and the windows are in need of a lick of paint.

Even with this initial analysis, there were still high hopes amongst myself and my fellow diner for the food and service. We found ourselves a special offer on the table d'hote menu of 3 courses for £25 and the food certainly justified good value. Starters of jerusalem artichoke soup and grilled mackerel were polished with well balanced flavours and attention to detail. Mains of cod with chorizo and puy lentils and chicken chasseur were equally well executed with a good combination of ingredients. However the dessert choice was a bit of a let down and a few slabs of chocolate garnished with some nut brittle and raspberries didn't quite hit the spot for me. For Oenophiles, the wine list is extensive and as you can imagine lends itself heavily to wines from across the channel. Though if you are after wine by the glass expect it to cost you just over a tenner. Service was commendable though we found the waiters kept disappearing just when you needed them.

Certainly one to visit for the experience if you are that way inclined but I can imagine there are more accomplished country hotel kitchens out there if food is what you are all about.