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Gravetye, Sussex


Sometimes we enjoy a simple sandwich and sometimes something a little more.

This outing was most definitely of the a little more variety. Recommended by our most regular dining, and indeed traveling, partners we booked an overnight stay with them at Gravetye Manor in West Sussex. Surrounded by impressive gardens and beautiful scenery this Elizabethan house is now a very well appointed hotel with a modern dining room that has been tastefully added to the original building, providing views over a small part of the extensive grounds.

The bedrooms are spacious, well equipped and elegant. Much like their occupants on this occasion.
 
Gravetye offers a full tasting menu but we had chosen a three course seasonal dinner. Each of us chose the traditional starter, main course and dessert and found these were all enhanced with additional elements starting with the two item amuse-bouche of Parmesan and white truffle pastry and a lobster roe cone. Later came the spectacular tomato tea, with bay leaf and herbs, which was intensely flavoured and moreish.

After the starters and selection of delicious warm breads came the salad of Gravetye vegetables, including an excellent smooth and tangy mayonnaise-style dressing.

A pre-dessert followed the main courses consisting of frozen plums and sorbet.

Finally, the desserts were followed by teas, coffees and pairs of petit fours being chocolate truffles and raspberry jellies.

With all of these extras alongside our principal choices, I don't feel we missed out at all by not having the full tasting option.

So, what were the main meals? Starters were Hereford beef tartare with mushrooms & alliums, and sashimi of Tuna.

Mains of Yorkshire Duck with almonds, lavender, turnip & apricot, Cornish Monkfish with summer beans, chorizo & basil, and Southwest PGI Lamb with confit garlic, ewe's milk cheese & olives.

Desserts of Triple cream cheesecake and a wonderful Blackcurrant Souffle, served with a theatrical touch as the warm Blackcurrant caramel and leaf ice cream were added.

Full marks all round.

Breakfast was great, too.

Will revisit for a suitably special occasion.

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