Starling

We enjoyed a relaxed late lunch with family on a dreary Saturday afternoon, and from the moment we arrived, Starling delivered. The front-of-house team were exceptional: warm, attentive, knowledgeable and genuinely engaging. Great hospitality is often about the little things, and their friendly approach set the tone perfectly. The menu is concise but thoughtfully curated, with a selection of snacks, starters, mains, desserts and steaks. To start, each of the four of us chose a different cocktail (my Gibson Martini was outstanding), alongside a couple of snacks. The truffle cheese crumpets and the hash brown topped with smoked salmon tartare and avocado were both excellent and surprisingly generous. For starters, I opted for the Asparagus Royale, which was delicate and beautifully balanced, while others chose the glazed chicken nugget. At the main event, the John Dory and duck received glowing reviews from around the table, but my chicken en croûte with chasseur sauce stole the show — an absolutely superb dish. Despite our best efforts, we somehow found room for dessert. Two chose the banana custard, one the strawberry éclair, while I couldn't resist chef Nick Beardshaw's (@beardymanchef) award-winning "Comet C" (featured on Great British Menu). It looked spectacular and tasted every bit as good as expected. The wine list is extensive, with bottles ranging from £45 to nearly £1,500. Our Albariño (£80) was an excellent choice: crisp, refreshing and dangerously easy to drink. I’m no wine connoisseur, so cannot comment on how much better this was than a bottle at say £25. All in all, a fantastic dining experience. Great food, great service and a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere — I'd happily return.