insideSUSSEX Magazine Issue 05 - July 2015 | Page 63

getaways The menu is traditional, offering seasonal dishes governed by produce from the garden and local area. The starter menu boasted a spring garden salad; flaked Dorset cock crab; hand dived Orkney scallops; tasting of Gravetye smoked salmon; Heritage tomatoes and Ewe’s cheese; and a pressing of Rougie foie gras, then for the main event: poached south coast Lemon Sole; fillet of Cornish Turbot; roasted breast of confit thigh of Guinea fowl; carved crown and faggot of Squab pigeon; and seared loin steak of aged beef. After coffee in front of the fire, it was time for a moonlight stroll through the garden. There had been a light rain that afternoon, and the breeze brought forth the mesmerising perfume. We could have stayed there for hours watching the flora dance in the moonlight, but the open fire seemed to be calling from within and I’m not one to argue. It would be easy to rely solely on the tranquillity and ambience of the house, or the sublime perfection of the garden, the romance and history of the house and grounds, or the truly amazing dining experience; any one of these would give cause to stay. But Gravetye Manor offers all of this and more. This is, without a doubt, the very pinnacle of what a Manor house getaway should be. Desserts included forced rhubarb soufflé and hazelnut crème brulée, to name but a few. Though the à la carte choices looked spectacular, the night’s set dinner appealed to me even more, and I was not disappointed. The starter of ham hock, dressed with a soy and sesame reduction with radish and rice cracker, was light and tasty. Then my main of pan-friend pavé of salmon was simply divine, served with fresh Jersey Royals, sauté squid, fresh spinach and a shellfish cream sauce. The Lemon tart rounded the meal off, served with mixed berries and raspberry sorbet to cleanse the palate. To describe my meal, I could have used a host of words like decadent, rich, mouth-watering (the usual barrage), but words simply can’t do justice to this meal. If you are a ‘foodie’, I implore you: book now, you will be amazed. Gravetye Manor Vowels Lane West Hoathly RH19 4LJ 01342 810567 [email protected] @ www.gravetyemanor.c ˝Z‚