New head chef Marcus Verberne is making a name for himself at the White Hart, a restaurant and historic coaching inn deep in the English countryside in the picturesque riverside village of Nayland, Suffolk.

The hotel has wonderful cosy bedrooms and is an idyllic, peaceful place to stay - especially if you can book one of their incredible value packages.

We stayed on the White Hart’s £149 a la carte dinner, bed and breakfast package for two and we liked it so much that we’ve already booked again. Breakfast next day was oh-so-prettily served and delicious. Given the quality, it’s amazing value for two people – and we can’t wait to go back.

Marcus, who has cooked for plenty of A-list celebrities at famous London restaurants The Ivy, J. Sheekey’s and Le Caprice, is causing something of a local sensation with the way he has transformed the menu in such a short time.

The White Hart has become 'the' place among locals who enjoy fine, gourmet dining at sensible prices. New Zealander Marcus serves seriously good, locally sourced ingredients and cooks them simply, but with a twist, to bring out the flavours.

For example, we loved his pan-fried John Dory with local West Mersea sea vegetables and an oyster butter sauce because it packed in so many different flavours from the sea. And he gathers the sea vegetables himself! The beef comes from nearby Dedham Vale and the chickens locally from Suffolk. Marcus also grows his own herbs and spices and salmon is smoked on the premises. Even the fresh shell-on walnuts, served with the cheeseboard, come from a tree in the hotel gardens. This is food and hospitality like it should be.

High Street, Nayland, Colchester CO6 4JF
Telephone; 01206 263382
E-mail: reservations@whitehart-nayland.co.uk
Website: www.whitehart-nayland.co.uk

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The chips are out of this world and the service is friendly!

124 Church Road, Tiptree CO5 0AB
The village of Tiptree is around 10 miles from Colchester.

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The Company Shed serves real Colchester and Mersea oysters in a semi-derelict shed.

Bring your own bread and drink, as you will get nothing but seafood there...

129 Coast Road, West Mersea, Colchester, CO5 8PA.
Tel: 01206 382700

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