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Hearth

Hampshire, Heckfield - Modern British / Italian - Restaurant - £££

Eco-friendly fire-licked cooking in warm, convivial surrounds

Overall Rating: Very Good

Uniqueness:Does the establishment stand out in the context of the local area? Very Good

Deliciousness:How delicious is the food? Very Good

Warmth:How warm is the service and the hospitality in general? Very Good

Strength of recommendation:How enthusiastically and widely would you recommend the establishment? Very Good

Set within 438 acres of Hampshire countryside, Heckfield Place (a renovated 18th-century manor house and farm) is home to two restaurants, Marle and Hearth. Here, culinary director Skye Gyngell has established the hotel’s produce-first culinary framework, which executive chef Michael Chapman and his team put it into practice. Located in the vaulted former stable yard, Hearth is the more relaxed place to eat, centred on a huge open fire over which everything is prepared. Despite the elemental cooking method, the food is always thoughtful and delicate, but with the fire comes warmth, conviviality and fun. Settle on the sheepskin-draped chairs and choose from a sharing menu, allowing at least two dishes per person – bear in mind they become more substantial as you progress through the list. Wood-fired flatbread is an exquisite platform for an ever-changing cast of seasonal ingredients – maybe smoked tomatoes, feta and oregano, or roasted squash with brown butter and Sp...

Set within 438 acres of Hampshire countryside, Heckfield Place (a renovated 18th-century manor house and farm) is home to two restaurants, Marle and Hearth. Here, culinary director Skye Gyngell has established the hotel’s produce-first culinary framework, which executive chef Michael Chapman and his team put it into practice.

Located in the vaulted former stable yard, Hearth is the more relaxed place to eat, centred on a huge open fire over which everything is prepared. Despite the elemental cooking method, the food is always thoughtful and delicate, but with the fire comes warmth, conviviality and fun. Settle on the sheepskin-draped chairs and choose from a sharing menu, allowing at least two dishes per person – bear in mind they become more substantial as you progress through the list.

Wood-fired flatbread is an exquisite platform for an ever-changing cast of seasonal ingredients – maybe smoked tomatoes, feta and oregano, or roasted squash with brown butter and Spenwood (a firm, raw sheep’s milk cheese from Berkshire). After that, a punchy, umami-rich assembly of stuffed mammole artichoke with pork, green olive and jus vies with grilled purple sprouting broccoli topped with almond, anchovy and apple.

Then come the centrepiece dishes, perhaps subtly smoked brill with Swiss chard and maltaise sauce or showstopping beef sirloin on the bone with chimichurri, and maybe a side of rosemary- and garlic-roasted potatoes. The cooking also has a distinct Italian accent, which runs from saddle of rabbit encased in pancetta with cime di rapa to desserts such as affogato with ricciarelli biscuits or a polenta cake with olive-oil ice cream.

The wine list kicks off with ‘local heroes’ and the estate's own superlative sparkling wine, before cruising through a prestigious global line-up organised by region (with notes on soil characteristics throughout).

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VENUE DETAILS

Heckfield Place
Heckfield
Hampshire
RG27 0LDGB

0118 342 0669

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OTHER INFORMATION

Accommodation, Private dining room, Wheelchair access, Parking, Electric car charging, Family friendly

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