Christmas might have been indulgent but that’s no reason to skimp on quality food now – be fine-dining-savvy and book one of the best set menus around at one of these top South West restaurants
The Clockspire, Sherborne, Dorset
This former Victorian school in Milborne Port has been treated to a contemporary interiors overhaul. With polished concrete floors, mammoth iron chandeliers and slick seating arrangements, it’s an impressive backdrop for the seasonal and locally grown ingredients served up in the set menu.
On its two- or three-course menu, the starters really set the flavour scene. Choose cod croquette with Thai green sauce and pickled fennel, or try the pork and pickle terrine with celeriac remoulade. For mains, indulge in slow-cooked beef cheek with glazed parsnip, roscoff onion and peppercorn sauce or select the Cornish hake with orange braised chicory. A dessert of sourdough treacle tart with blood orange sorbet has a gorgeous wintry feel to it, but then perry poached pear with salted caramel ice cream and honey granola also sounds like the perfect way to wrap up lunch. Those with a savoury palate will enjoy the Westcombe cheddar with oat cracker and chutney.
The set menu – which also features plenty of gluten-free options – is available Wednesday to Friday for lunch and Wednesday to Thursday for dinner, excluding bank holidays. Costs £25 for two courses or £30 for three and comes with optional wine pairings – £15 for two glasses or £20 for three.
Andria, Dartmouth, Devon
This award-winning small plates bistro in the heart of Dartmouth is run by Puglian head chef Luca Berardino. It already has a great following for its set menu which is served in a relaxed atmosphere alongside fantastic by-the-glass wines.
Begin with canapes and sourdough before choosing between heritage carrots with goat’s curd and sherry vinegar or Brixham crab adorned with scallop roe satay, cucumber and daikon. There’s even an intermediate course (gnocchi with onion soubise and manchego), demonstrating that this set menu is no afterthought. For mains, dive into the Brixham cod loin with mushroom, capocollo and gewürztraminer sauce or enjoy the 40-day dry-aged Hereford sirloin with truffle jus and artichoke puree. Optional extras include the likes of Cornish new potatoes with salsa verde or roasted garlic aioli. Finish proceedings with an affogato, complete with zabaglione and Baileys or a sticky toffee pudding with earl grey toffee sauce and citrus malt cream.
The set menu changes monthly and runs Monday to Friday, 12-3pm. Costs £35 for four courses including canapes, sourdough focaccia and whipped butter.
Sign of the Angel, Lacock, Wiltshire
This two AA rosette 15th-century coaching inn can be found in the period drama-favourite village of Lacock. Low ceilings, roaring fires and a bevvy of beams give this pub some serious cosy vibes.
The set lunch and early bird menus are equally comforting. Start with the day-special soup or confit belly pork with blue cheese dressing or even the sumac salt and pepper squid, before feasting your eyes on the main options, including truffle cauliflower and pearl barley risotto or pie of the day. Pimp these – or any of the other mains – with optional extras such as thick cut chips, pickled slaw or roast root veg.
Although the apple and rhubarb crumble tart sounds unmissable, chocoholics ought to plump for the dark chocolate and almond delice with vanilla bean ice cream, while diners with low air miles on their conscience won’t be disappointed with a local ice cream made just down the road by Lacock Dairy.
Set lunch is served 12-3pm and 6-7pm from Monday to Saturday, and features two courses for £27 and three for £33.
Robun, Bath
Robun’s modern Japanese take on grilling meat over a traditional robata charcoal fire (yakiniku) is executed so well it makes the restaurant one of Bath’s most compelling dining spots, especially for its sharing set menus.
The Taste of Tokyo menu begins with citrus edamame followed swiftly by the octopus ball classic takoyaki as well as a moreish portion of chicken gyoza. Next up is the sashimi and nigiri set, then the flavour-packed experience is taken up yet another notch with the black cod, lamb cutlets or wagyu hanging tender (the latter incurs £10 supplement). Finish on a sweet note with sparkling sake and strawberry cheesecake. This menu is available all day Sunday to Friday for £49.
Don’t forget to take a look at Robun’s sister restaurant in the city, Flute. The seafood restaurant and wine bar also does a mean two-course set menu including dishes such as calamari, mackerel pate, skate wing, roast lemon chicken and skin-on fries from 12-4pm for £17.50.
The PIG, across the South West
Billed as a serious menu for not-so-serious get togethers, the PIG’s Around our Kitchen Table midweek lunch is a fanfare of local produce and all-time classics.
Generous flavours and wholesome ingredients are whipped into crowd-pleasing dishes, a range of food the PIG proudly presents as dishes that would be at home on any kitchen table. Sink into the famously relaxed atmosphere and quirky individual detail of each venue while devouring dishes from the midweek menu, which changes month-by-month.
February’s starters include ham hock terrine with pickled walnut dressing as well as heritage carrots with garden herb crème fraîche and puffed quinoa. Mains include locally sourced lamb shoulder with northern lights leeks and rosemary red wine sauce or, just as locally sourced, Crown Prince Squash with braised borlotti beans and hazelnut dressing. Meanwhile, the Sophie’s Choice of puds include buttermilk blancmange with new season rhubarb or marmalade steamed sponge with pouring cream. A cheese selection is also available.
Around our Kitchen Table menu must be booked in advance and is available Monday to Friday for lunch, at two courses for £28.50 or three for £32.50.
Enjoyed reading our pick of excellent-value set menus? Dive into our South West town guides and discover more excellent places to stay, drink, dine and shop.
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