The address for Mulberry House is High Ongar, don't be tempted to head in to the village. You'll find it directly off the A414 and therefore very easy to reach with plenty of parking.

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The restaurant is at the back of the house, in an impressive conservatory with a vaulted ceiling, overlooking mature gardens and a moat on all sides. The menu is traditional British and Mulberry House is particularly popular for Sunday lunches, serving three courses for �19.50. You can also join them for afternoon and high teas on quaint bone china.

To begin I was tempted to try the smoked salmon platter, however I settled for bacon and cheddar stuffed mushrooms with salad and a balsamic dressing. The dish was enormous, two large flat mushrooms, generously covered with melted cheddar and bacon lardoons, served with rocket leaves sprinkled with balsamic – delicious.

Main course was a more difficult choice, I was sorely tempted by the homemade steak and kidney pudding and the chicken breast with bubble and squeak mash also caught my eye. I decided in the end to enjoy the sea bass. It came freshly pan-fried on a bed of wilted spinach drizzled with lemon butter and served with saut� potatoes.

A light lunch menu is available too and you are welcome to call in for coffee and biscuits which are all baked on the premises. In the evenings there’s a full a la carte menu and the wine list has some interesting choices, all helpfully described. Mulberry House might not win any awards for originality of cuisine, but it’s a place which offers many different reasons to visit, with well presented home-from-home dishes served by a genuinely friendly and welcoming staff.

Useful to knowThe total bill came to �14.70 for two courses, a tonic water and coffee. This is an independent review, featuring a restaurant selected and experienced by our food and wine editor. The restaurant was not told it was being reviewed.

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Mulberry HouseChelmsford RoadHigh OngarCM5 9NL01277 365398

Table Talkers

with diners Jessica Auker and her daughter, Chloe, from High Ongar

What do you do?I’m a wife and mother.

What did you choose from the menu? The cream tea.

Have you been to the Mulberry House before and would you go again?Yes, I’ve been on quite a number of occasions for evening meals and Christmas parties. Yes, I’d definitely come again.

Describe your dining experience in three words: Good, fresh and tasty.

Rate their value for money: Good value.

Would you be happy to recommend it? Yes, the food is always really nice.

What was the best part of dining at Mulberry House? It was a very nice break with my daughter. We don’t often get the chance to do it and she treated me.