Hitchen’s Barn
Oakham, Rutland
Entry
‘Local owners, local staff and local suppliers... Hitchen's Barn ticks all these boxes,’ affirms one admirer – and we couldn’t agree more. Neil and Louise Hitchen have created something remarkable here: he’s a ‘fantastic chef’, she’s a ‘brilliant hostess’ and they are supported by an exemplary team who really care about their customers. The result is a ‘homely yet indulgent oasis in Rutland,’ – a gorgeous-looking space complete with a full quota of folksy rustic-chic accoutrements (low-hanging beams, assorted auction-room furniture, mirrors galore, ancient cooking implements, old bread boards, unglazed crockery). Like its many loyal fans, we found the cooking perfectly pitched, acutely seasonal, beautifully presented and downright delicious. A twice-baked soufflé involving creamy Red Leicester and Lincolnshire Poacher cheeses puts down an emphatic regional marker, as does broccoli soup with crispy Long Clawson Stilton. To follow, chargrilled ribeye steak and chips or roast chicken breast with pancetta mash, savoy cabbage and Madeira sauce celebrate all things traditional, while fish (brought up from the West Country) might yield Brixham crab risotto with crispy crab cakes or turbot (cooked on the bone) alongside new potatoes, baby leeks and Cornish clams. Rounding off a good-value package, the kitchen rolls out some eminently inviting desserts ranging from baked rhubarb meringue pudding with rhubarb granita to dark chocolate truffle cake pepped up with popcorn ice cream and chocolate peanut popcorn. Thoughtfully chosen wines include a reassuring selection by the glass. ‘You always leave feeling happy and satisfied,’ proclaims one fan. Amen to that, we say.
Dining Information:
Separate bar, No background music, Family friendly
12 Burley Road, Oakham, Rutland LE15 6DH
01572 722255
