Postcard from Castle Combe

On Friday evening NAH and I had the treat of visiting the Manor Hotel at Castle Combe for a gourmet meal on behalf of Wiltshire Magazine. It was quite simply the best we've ever had :D

As it was so unseasonably warm, we decided to take advantage of the weather and sit out on the lawn (by those umbrellas) with our pre-meal drinks, peruse the menu, and for me to interview the chef, Richard Davies. Although it was light when we arrived, there was an owl hooting in the woods to serenade us, the sunset and dusk.

Our table was set in the bay window you can see behind the fountain for the meal itself, and then we took our post dinner tea and petit fours in one of the many lounges on offer. We chose a cosy wood-panelled nook in which to gird our loins for the trip home, some four hours after we'd arrived. Next time, I think we'll be staying the night.

For once I got a little squiffy and I've been floating on a bubble of happiness ever since, despite NAH's instructions for me to up my game a bit catering-wise ;)

Comments

  1. petoskystone3 October 2011 at 12:26

    how lovely! what meal did you all choose? (i spy my favorite autumn-scarlet shade in the photo!)

    ReplyDelete
  2. easygardener3 October 2011 at 13:33

    Sounds like you had a great time - I can see why you would want to stay overnight :-)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Janet/Plantaliscious3 October 2011 at 17:12

    How wonderful! Hope the floating lasts - and tell your other half to brush of his own chef skills ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Monica the Garden Faerie3 October 2011 at 20:48

    Sounds grand, and, no, no, I'm not envious at all! Pshaw! :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Dobby3 October 2011 at 22:22

    NAH could always pay for you to go to gourmet producing classes. Or go himself of course! Sounds like you had a heavenly evening though.

    ReplyDelete
  6. VP4 October 2011 at 08:28

    Petoskystone - scallops, pork and pollenta cake for me, torchon,lamb and creme brulee for him :)

    EG - I've since found they do a night stay special offer from time to time. I hope it'll coincide with one of our special times some day

    Janet - I did!

    Monica - it was such a treat

    Dobby - I've been thinking of going to one at The Bistro in Devizes anyway ;)

    ReplyDelete
  7. AndyKChapman5 October 2011 at 19:55

    ...yes, she did get a bit squiffy! Something to do with sommelier-chosen wines for each dish.

    ReplyDelete
  8. VP5 October 2011 at 19:59

    Andy aka NAH - and you weren't of course ;)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Meryl's Tittle Tattle7 October 2011 at 11:45

    I know it is fabulous there went myself last year for lunch with a friend as a special moral boost before I had a rather serious operation.

    ReplyDelete
  10. VP7 October 2011 at 13:24

    Meryl - welcome and thanks for Following :) That sounds like it was a lovely thing to do. I hope you're fully recovered from your operation now.

    ReplyDelete

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