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Best Sunday Roast
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The Cat Inn

West Sussex, West Hoathly - Modern British - Pub with rooms - ££

Well-tended hilltop inn with food that's a cut above

Overall Rating: Good

Uniqueness:Does the establishment stand out in the context of the local area? Good

Deliciousness:How delicious is the food? Good

Warmth:How warm is the service and the hospitality in general? Good

Strength of recommendation:How enthusiastically and widely would you recommend the establishment? Good

You'll need to be on top of your compass bearings to find the Cat. Put simply, it's on a West Sussex hilltop about five miles from East Grinstead and within accessible range of Gatwick. Once you reach your destination, you'll discover 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, for example. The kitchen's approach involves the 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, fans of steaks, burgers and battered fish are not neglected (in fact, they're positively indulged), while sides such as ...

You'll need to be on top of your compass bearings to find the Cat. Put simply, it's on a West Sussex hilltop about five miles from East Grinstead and within accessible range of Gatwick. Once you reach your destination, you'll discover 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, for example. The kitchen's approach involves the 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, fans of steaks, burgers and battered fish are not neglected (in fact, they're positively indulged), while sides such as charred broccoli in Caesar dressing are also worth making room for. Show-off desserts including 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. On Sundays, the prospect of three ultra-traditional roasts brings in the crowds from far and wide, while an excellent wine collection offers oodles by the glass, including a range of Sussex sparklers.

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VENUE DETAILS

North Lane
West Hoathly
West Sussex
RH19 4PPGB

01342 810369

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OTHER INFORMATION

Accommodation, No background music, Wheelchair access, Parking, Dog friendly, Credit card required

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