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Red Lion at East Chisenbury

Wiltshire, East Chisenbury - Modern British - Pub - ££

Overall Rating: Very Good

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

‘I’m from London but happily go to Wiltshire to eat at the Red Lion,’ declared one reader who loves everything about this ‘brilliant village pub’. Snuggled away in a pastoral backwater on the remote fringes of Salisbury Plain, the self-styled and impressively thatched ‘Freehouse’ amply fulfils its obligations as a local (indie real ales and jolly chatter at the bar), although Guy and Brittany Manning have long established the place as a serious gastronomic destination. The food is defined by big natural flavours in the Anglo-European idiom, be it a terrine of Salisbury Plain venison with Armagnac prunes, chargrilled chateaubriand of Wiltshire beef or Cornish monkfish accompanied by roast romanesco, cauliflower purée, brown shrimp and sauce grenobloise. These are dishes culled from the carte, but you can also partake of a five-course tasting menu offering the likes of scallop and crab tortellono with ras el hanout bisque or English rose v...

‘I’m from London but happily go to Wiltshire to eat at the Red Lion,’ declared one reader who loves everything about this ‘brilliant village pub’. Snuggled away in a pastoral backwater on the remote fringes of Salisbury Plain, the self-styled and impressively thatched ‘Freehouse’ amply fulfils its obligations as a local (indie real ales and jolly chatter at the bar), although Guy and Brittany Manning have long established the place as a serious gastronomic destination. The food is defined by big natural flavours in the Anglo-European idiom, be it a terrine of Salisbury Plain venison with Armagnac prunes, chargrilled chateaubriand of Wiltshire beef or Cornish monkfish accompanied by roast romanesco, cauliflower purée, brown shrimp and sauce grenobloise. These are dishes culled from the carte, but you can also partake of a five-course tasting menu offering the likes of scallop and crab tortellono with ras el hanout bisque or English rose veal partnered by potato millefeuille, steamed spinach and chanterelles. Desserts follow a similar path, so expect anything from orange-blossom panna cotta with Yorkshire rhubarb to dark chocolate délice with poached kumquat, fennel pollen and biscotti ice cream. Otherwise, the cheese plate is ‘immaculate.’ The well-annotated wine list includes around 20 selections by the glass or carafe, with bottles from £23. Accommodation is across the road at the Troutbeck Guest House, a boutique B&B by the river.

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L Markus

13 March 2025

We have dined here many times over the years, and it is a beacon of gastronomy in a gastronomic desert! The menu is different each time we come, and each dish comes together with complementary flavours and textures. It...
We have dined here many times over the years, and it is a beacon of gastronomy in a gastronomic desert! The menu is different each time we come, and each dish comes together with complementary flavours and textures. It might be village pub-looking, but the food is sophisticated and not like anywhere else in the wider vicinity.

Today, we started with the amazing crab tart, which is one of my favourite things ever - creamy and crabby with crisp buttery pastry. Followed by gnocchi...
We have dined here many times over the years, and it is a beacon of gastronomy in a gastronomic desert! The menu is different each time we come, and each dish comes together with complementary flavours and textures. It might be village pub-looking, but the food is sophisticated and not like anywhere else in the wider vicinity.

Today, we started with the amazing crab tart, which is one of my favourite things ever - creamy and crabby with crisp buttery pastry. Followed by gnocchi with cauliflower cheese purée, romanesco, brown butter and shaved cheese - very unctuous and quite rich, but the portion size is just right. My husband and our friend ate beautifully cooked cod (just arrived from Cornwall half an hour earlier, apparently!) with soft charred leeks, spinach, flavoursome duxelles and mash.

Only my husband could manage pudding - toast and homemade marmalade ice cream, which tasted tangy and palate cleansing. We enjoyed our glass of complimentary English sparkling wine as I am a Good Food Guide member!
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VENUE DETAILS

East Chisenbury
East Chisenbury
Wiltshire
SN9 6AQGB

01980 671124

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OTHER INFORMATION

Accommodation, Private dining room, Counter seating, Parking, Family friendly, Dog friendly, Deposit required

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