Forget the lampshades, says ALISON PHILLIPS, and just tuck in to the excellent food

 

 

 

IT was a sunny day as we made our way down to Warminster, more than ready for a Sunday lunch, so we decided to begin with a drink on the terrace, which overlooks the gardens and is just in front of the glass-walled restaurant.

 

On the edge of the town, Bishopstrow House is tucked off the main road and is beautifully quiet and tranquil. The historic house has been renovated carefully and now has thoroughly up-to-the-minute features, and the mainly young staff were all pleasant and attentive.

 

We did find the decor in the restaurant a little too retro - my husband said it took him right back to the 1970s - and spent some time wondering quite what it was that jarred. Eventually we decided it was the large overhead circular lightshades, and agreed that if you took those down it would be just about perfect.

 

We both went for the prawn cocktail to start, which came rather amusingly served in a little Kilner jar like the ones my Gran used to make pickles in. I think prawn cocktail is hard to beat for a starter and this was lovely, plenty of prawns and sauce and finely shredded Gem lettuce, none of that nasty iceberg stuff.

 

Being committed carnivores we were looking forward to our roast dinners, and were not disappointed. My other half's Somerset pork was pronounced absolutely perfect, so tender the lovely thick slices fell apart at the touch of a knife, while my roast beef was melt-in-the-mouth. I don't usually like beef quite as rare as this, but the quality of the meat meant it was absolutely delicious, even if I wold have trimmed more of the fat off. My plate was filled with spring greens, french beans, chantenay carrots and honey roast parsnips as well as roast potatoes (I prefer the crispy sided ones, but they were still good) but the Yorkshire was too crisp for my taste.

 

Deciding to go on to pudding, I went for the West Country cheeseboard and the other half tried the Baileys and berry pannacotta. This wobbled perfectly as the waitress set the plate down in front of him (we've been watching Masterchef) while the trio of cheeses came with a pile of crackers including some lovely thin wafers which looked home-made - we'd already enjoyed obviously home-made rolls and brioche we'd been offered at the start of the meal.

 

The pannacotta disappeared so fast he had time to try my Stilton too. I enjoyed the Cheddar and Brie, and kicked myself for not mentioning when I ordered that I didn't like blue cheese, as I'm sure they could have put something different on if I'd asked.

 

We had coffee on the terrace afterwards, finishing off a lovely lunch.

 

The hotel has various special offers - children get free Sunday lunches with family groups in May - and with Father's Day coming up, this very family-friendly place - the kids can run round outside between courses if they need to let off steam - would be perfect for a multi-generation celebration

 

Bishopstrow House Hotel and Spa

 

Warminster

 

BA12 9HH

 

Phone: 01985 212312

 

Parking: Yes

 

Disabled access: Yes

 

Our ratings

 

Food: 8/10

 

Choice 8/10

 

Decor 6/10

 

Customer service 10/10

 

Sunday lunch £19 two courses, £23 three courses; a la carte menu two courses £33.50, three courses £42.50

 

TripAdvisor rating: 4/5