Nestled in the heart of Chobham, a sleepy village in Surrey, The Cloche Hat is a contemporary European-inspired dining destination with a superb reputation. The Cloche Hat may look the part of a countryside inn, housed in an authentic, 16th-century Tudor farmhouse, but inside the team are all about innovation, using bold flavours, seasonal ingredients and cultivating a relaxed atmosphere alongside the stand-out food.
In line with this, the interiors are both soft and welcoming, but suitably modern with a cream-toned colour palette and minimalist feel. Elegant dining chairs sit next to white table cloths for a sophisticated aesthetic, while the low candlelight keeps the atmosphere cosy.
There are several different menus available at The Cloche Hat, spanning the a la carte, afternoon tea and tasting menu. On the a la carte, you'll find starters like burrata with nectarines, honey and salsa verde, mains such as corn fed chicken with onion and sage potato fondant, and puddings such as strawberry and pistachio tartlet.
The tasting menu comes in two forms; five or eight courses, as well as a vegetarian option, too. While the menu regularly changes, an example of what to expect includes confit salmon and nori, with fennel and yuzu, alongside wood pigeon with beetroot and cherries, and poached hake with tomatose and basil. For sweets, get stuck into watermelon sorbet to cleanse the palette, before tropical cheesecake and a board of artisanal British and French cheeses. On the vegetarian menu, you'll find swaps such as heritage beetroot with cherries and plum, as well as crispy baby artichokes with pine nuts and mooli.
The wine list is varied, sourcing bottles from across Europe as well as South Africa, New Zealand and America. The team are very happy to share their recommendations, whether it be by the glass or bottle, so do ask for their advice when it comes to pairings.