Richard Cawthorne

Looking for something a little different this Christmas, Richard Cawthorne picks his favourites for dining with a difference

Redcoats' new orangery The Farmhouse at Redcoats, near Hitchin, has opened a new 'rustic chic' restaurant. The Orangery, on the site of the former conservatory, is the latest development in the restoration of the 600-year-old farmhouse and its outbuildings, and opens on to a woodland dell and gardens. Star dishes, supervised by executive head chef Sherwin Jacobs, include crispy baby squid with roasted garlic or wild garlic and truffle arancini among starters, while mains include pan roasted Creedy Carver duck breast or charcoal grilled whole king prawns with chilli.

Bigger equipment, larger premises and new drinks are on the agenda for a St Albans craft beer maker after successfully emerging from lockdown.

Just in time for summer, ice cream fans have a new venue to explore in Hertford with the opening of Tilly’s Gelato. The specialist luxury boutique café run by 24-year-old entrepreneur Tilly Anderson is born of what she says is ‘an absolute passion’ for the product.

‘Everyone is a VIP’ says the chef-owner of Chorleywood’s Herons restaurant, which has reopened after a refresh during lockdown

The Fox and Duck gastro-pub at Therfield, a former finalist in the Hertfordshire Life Food & Drink Awards, is celebrating being named as a TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice 2020 Best of the Best award winner

Fast-growing London café/restaurant chain Megan’s, which specialises in all-day Mediterranean-influenced food and drink, is opening in St Albans in October

Until recently lacking in many good places to eat and drink, the centre of Letchworth is having something of a mini-revolution. Food and drink editor Richard Cawthorne samples a Turkish restaurant that’s part of the movement

With a confident and innovative menu, a chef-run pub in Great Amwell attracts a happy throng. Photography Brian Arnopp