The best restaurants in South Downham King's Lynn and West Norfolk East of England

Last Saturday, we visited for a table for two. From the outset, the restaurant's decor was unusual – perhaps I’m not trendy enough to fully appreciate a mural of Bob Marley smoking a spliff. However, the staff were welcoming and attentive, seating us promptly and taking our drinks order soon after. I ordered sparkling water, but they initially served still; it was quickly corrected. The water came in a house-branded bottle with a grolsh top, I would have preferred a recognisable brand. For starters, we had pork and burrata. The burrata was served with chargrilled peaches, a dish I’ve had at The White Horse in Brancaster, where it was superb. However, this version was underwhelming – the peaches were thinly sliced, more like a garnish than a key part of the dish. There was a crumb under the burrata, but it didn’t offer much-needed contrast to the texture. It wasn’t bad, but “mediocre” is the best way to describe it. The mains were no different. My fish was cooked well, but the dish lacked real flavor. We also ordered triple-cooked chips, which tasted like they had been pre-cooked the day before and then fried – definitely not the crispy, golden delight we had hoped for. When the server asked how our food was, we answered "okay," because that’s exactly how it was – just okay. Unfortunately, there wasn’t much room for improvement at this point. Dessert was similarly disappointing. I opted for the crème brûlée, which is usually a favorite of mine. But instead of the comforting contrast between silky custard and a crisp sugar crust, I was served a rectangular slab that was far too gelatinous, with the thinnest layer of caramelized sugar. It wasn’t an improvement on the classic version. Worse, both dessert plates were stone cold, suggesting the desserts were pre-made and chilled. I was reticent about whether to take this as a learning experience and move on or write a review. Having looked at other reviews, I noticed the owner seems very unhappy whenever anyone dares to criticise his establishment. Hopefully, he can take this feedback onboard and use it in a positive way to improve the dining experience. Ultimately, everything felt prepared ahead of time and reheated as needed, leaving the food lacking freshness. The price didn’t reflect the quality of what was served, and I left thoroughly disappointed. Unfortunately, I won’t be returning anytime soon.

Although a Tuscan deli it is definitely English in terms of tea and cake. Yorkshire Tea with great homemade cakes including a lovely gluten free Polenta for the Coeliac. Then some lovely gluten free Italian biscuits which we don't normally see . Very friendly and came round with treats for all dogs at the tables.