Whether you're a Berkshire local or planning a trip to this idyllic county, Damson Restaurant is a name to put on your must-visit list. Located within the beautiful Berkshire Downs in the pretty village of Winterbourne, the Damson Restaurant is somewhat of a rural dream, while only sitting a short distance from the M4 and A34, making it an easy place to get to from across the country.
Housed in a period building, the restaurant benefits from rustic exposed brick walls and stone details, as well as log fires to keep things cosy and even authentic wooden beams overhead. The team are far from stuck in the past, though, and have re-designed the interiors with a modern twist. Think rich green paintwork, wicker lighting and metro-tiled bar - it's the perfect balance between classic and contemporary.
Now onto the good stuff - food! The team have put together a selection of creative menus spanning lunch, mid-week dinner and an all-out tasting menu. First things first, all menus can be made suitable for pescatarians, vegetarians or vegan-friendly, so just give the kitchen plenty of notice by alerting them at the time of the booking in order for swaps to be made.
As mentioned, if planning to come down within the week, you're invited to enjoy a set four-course menu with the option to add on a cheese course, too. Begin with some snacks such as crispy cod skin with cod brandade, lemon Swede tart and fig jam, followed by starters like braised pork cheek, mains such as venison loin and shank pie, black garlic, cabbage and damson, and to finish, warm chocolate mousse with hazelnut, buttermilk and Jerusalem artichoke.
At the weekend, this selection doubles, with a host of more snacks and sides, plus extra options for your core courses. All menus can be ordered with both a wine or non-alcoholic pairing, to really make the most of the experience.