The Cat Inn
West Hoathly, West Sussex
You'll need to be on top of your compass bearings to find the Cat: it's in West Hoathly, near East Grinstead, in West Sussex. Put simply, it's on a hilltop within accessible range of Gatwick, and is a 16th-century country inn with oak beams and inglenooks to beat the band. An earnest indicator of the kitchen's intent is the elevated tone of the snacks: Szechuan-peppered crispy squid in bang- bang sauce, pork nuggets with gochujang mayo. The approach involves creative restructuring of familiar commodities – a Scotch egg is built of smoked haddock in a velouté of buttered leeks, while fried hake might appear with spätzle and cauliflower in caper-strewn brown butter. Readers appreciate the freshness and quality of dishes, as well the warmth of the welcome from proficient staff. Of course, the steak, burger and fish-and-chips crowd are not neglected (positively indulged, in fact) and sides such as charred broccoli in Caesar dressing are also worth making room for. Show-off desserts such as deep-fried rice pudding with poached rhubarb and raspberry sorbet end things on a climactic high note, and there are some fine English cheeses too. An excellent wine collection offers oodles by the glass, including a range of Sussex sparklers.
Dining Information:
Accommodation, No background music, Wheelchair access, Parking, Dog friendly, Credit card required
North Lane, West Hoathly, West Sussex RH19 4PP
01342 810369
