The Bell Inn - Stanford-le-Hope

With an atmosphere that's like a cross between a Paris wine bar & a London pub, it’s no wonder that this lively pub-brasserie-restaurant is considered by many to be ‘the best place to eat in the area by far’. The menu changes daily, offering comfort food served with European service & style, & the staff are particularly knowledgeable about the eclectic wine list. The ravenous can devour pan-fried chicken livers on ham hock & foie gras ballottine with sauce gribiche & crispy pancetta ahead of roast rack of venison with root vegetables & cassis sauce, while those with lighter appetites can nibble a salad of Cornish crab with guacamole & pink grapefruit vinaigrette; in between there’s fishcakes with poached egg & hollandaise. Booking in the restaurant is essential, while tables in the brasserie are available on a first come, first served basis. The building itself dates from the 15th century & displays a wealth of ancient beams & timbers as well as open fires in winter.