Great British Food Christmas 2024

this is a retreat remains as you walk through the aspirational gardens to the farmhouse itself. Comfortable yet finely crafted, the interiors reflect the ethos of the menus, where locally-sourced produce is proudly celebrated. Nest Farmhouse is one of those restaurants where everything on the menu tempts your taste buds and makes your mouth water, but whatever you choose, you can rest safe in the knowledge that it is a celebration of local, seasonal produce. If we’re entirely honest, pre-meal snacks are never truly needed but this reviewer can never resist, and we were certainly glad that we partook. The soda bread and house butter are a must, both offering a rich yet simple start to the meal – the perfect way to whet our appetites – and the house spiced nuts were a delicious foil to our drinks. We were sure to take a luxurious amount of time to peruse before making our decision, and finally settled on a salad of roasted squash, radicchio, locally-produced Binham Blue and pumpkin seeds to start. It was a delicious illustration of seasonal fare, with the perfect balance of sweet, salt and bitterness, crunch and softness, and artfully presented. Next, we enjoyed crispy salt aged duck leg, bean and vegetable cassoulet with pickled shallots which lifted the heady richness to new heights. Of course, while the food must be the star of the show at every restaurant, the ambience of the place itself also plays a huge role in one’s dining experience – and Nest Farmhouse did not disappoint. With the airy dining room at one end of the spacious room and a comfortable lounge next to a cosy fireplace for whiling away the time before or after your meal at the other, the layout has been perfectly thought through to create the optimum experience. Sitting proud at the centre of the room is the bar – a sizeable wooden space hosting a carefully curated range of local beers, artisan ciders and produce from conscientious wineries which have a passion for good farming practices. A menu of classic cocktails and seasonal low/no options makes this a must-visit at any time of day. While seeing the inner workings of a professional kitchen while you dine can, in some cases, be a negative move, at Nest Farmhouse it only adds to the sense of connection with the food you’re relishing. From our vantage point, the chefs were working calmly and methodically, with each dish being positioned on the pass a finely crafted piece of culinary art. The waiting staff were the epitome of high quality service – adapting to our changing needs, from silently ensuring the meal is running smoothly to leading relaxed conversations about the food, restaurant and local area. If you’re looking for a delicious seasonal experience that makes your day-to-day stresses feel a world away, Nest Farmhouse is the restaurant for you. Elegant, comfortable and naturally luxurious, it’s the ultimate taste of rural Norfolk. Nest Farmhouse is located in Docking, North Norfolk. For more details visit nestfarmhouse.co.uk Nest Farmhouse, Docking NORFOLK’S WIDE OPEN SKIES ARE A SIGNATURE FEATURE OF ITS LANDSCAPE, AND NEST FARMHOUSE IS THE PERFECT PLACE TO REVEL IN BOTH THE VIEWS AND THE PRODUCE THIS REGION HAS TO OFFER Drive up the winding farm track towards Nest Farmhouse and you’ll know you’re in for an experience set far apart from the mainstream. Located on a 1,000 acre farm in the heart of the North Norfolk countryside, with the vista showcasing nothing but fields and wildlife, you feel a world away from the hustle and bustle of daily life. The sense that NORFOLK 114 greatbr i t i shfoodawards.com