The White Hart, Somerton, Somerset
The White Hart is a big old coaching inn in the middle of Somerton. There's a good atmosphere, great food, and very attentive service. What more do you need? And it's only 6 or 7 miles from Coat Barn, so an easy one to get to for lunch or dinner. The vibe is relaxed vintage meets rustic chic; wooden floors, exposed brickwork, painted stone walls and mismatched furniture with retro inspired touches. Note the funky lampshades as you're going upstairs to the washrooms. Attention to detail doesn't go unnoticed - bottles of water and chunky coloured glasses on the tables, gorgeous smelling soap and hand creams in the loos.
There are several eating areas, so depending on where you sit, it feels quite intimate. All the bread is baked in-house and there's a huge wood fired pizza oven; the executive chef is ex River Cottage, so it's bound to be good. On the lunch menu are homemade ciabattas, dry aged steaks, and a very good spiced lamb burger; for dinner such tempting delights as venison and pork faggot with soft polenta, celeriac and blue vinney gratin with a poached duck egg, and market fish with capers and seaweed butter. Round it off with lemon posset, poached rhubarb and almond crumble, and a cup of coffee on the leather sofas in the bar.
Open: 9 am - 11 pm Lunch: 12-3 Mon-Sat, 12-4 Sunday Dinner from 6 pm weekdays, from 5 pm weekends. Dog friendly, family friendly and big groups welcome though booking essential (call them if there's more than 10 of you) and a deposit taken.
T: 01458 272273 All information is correct at the time of writing.