Eat & Drink
Originally published on Friday, 13th June 2008
Country Lover
I’ve often fantasised about having a hideaway outside of London. Whilst I love the city and it’s moronic bus drivers (seriously guys, jerkily edging into any available space while the lights remain red is NOT getting us anywhere faster), I dream of a little country air and some good food. And I’m not the only one. We’re all off to the West Country, my lover.
Restaurants are setting up their rural outposts. What started with fish aficionado Rick Stein and his Padstow Seafood Restaurant, has now extended through to the rest of the Saturday Kitchen clan. Gary Rhodes is due to launch Rhodes South and King's Rhodes in Dorset, whilst Jamie Oliver is threatening to open Jamie's Italian in Oxford, both within months. Atul Kotchhar, of celebrated restaurant Benares, is expanding to Wykham Vineyards near Southampton with Vatika, and not content with his newly opened Farringdon eatery, Mark Hix has plans to open Hix Oyster & Chop House in Lyme Regis this summer.
For a full country manor experience, The Vyse Room at Stoke Place in Buckinghamshire is opening today under the capable hands of the Underdog team that brought us The Hawkesmoore and The Marquess. Promising supreme cocktails and garden kitchen cuisine overlooking 23 acres of Capability Brown designed grounds, it's time to get your combine harvester out and embrace country living.
Stoke Place, Stoke Green, Stoke Poges, Buckinghamshire, SL2 4HT.
Padstow Seafood Restaurant
Gary Rhodes
Jamie's Italian
Hix Oyster & Chop House
