Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
most of the produce comes from community allotments, farms, and other ultralocal
suppliers). Many dishes lean firmly toward the East: Seared king scallops and Thai
spiced mussels with cauliflower purée and micro crisp cress, for instance, or soy-
scented sea bass with lime and ginger-foam basil linguine and roasted and creamed
vegetables. Lunch features a slightly reduced version of the same menu at about £10
less per head. Book one of the booths for a full-on romantic experience.
The 13
guest rooms
and one suite (from £87, including breakfast) have Asian
inflected decor and super-king beds (save one room).
13-21 St. Nicholas Place.
&
0116/251-8898.
www.maiyango.com. Reservations recommended. Dinner
£27 for 2 courses, £29 for 3 courses. MC, V. Mon-Tues noon-11pm, Wed noon-11.30pm, Thurs noon-mid-
night, Fri noon-1am, Sat noon-1:30am, and Sun 6:30-10:30pm.
MODERATE
Boboli
ITALIAN Though somewhat off the tourist trail, this casual all-day
eaterie in a large village in south Leicestershire is worth the detour for convivial fam-
ily meals done Italian style—especially a Sunday lunch, when traditional English
roasts feature alongside tempting Tuscan fare such as Parma ham with fennel and
orange salad. Children 11 and under get Sunday lunch for half price, or they can
choose from the Boboli Bambini menu (£7.50 for two courses, until 8pm) or even get
smaller portions from the main menu. Outside of main mealtimes, there's a snack
menu of
piadine
(flat pizza sandwiches), veal burgers, and pastries. The same owners
run the more formal and pricier
Firenze
in the same village.
88 Main St., Kibworth.
&
0116/279-3303.
www.bobolirestaurant.co.uk. Reservations recommended
(dinner). Main courses £4.50-£16. MC, V. Tues-Sat 10am-10pm, Sun 10am-4pm.
Lake Isle
MODERN EUROPEAN Named after the Yeats' poem
Lake
Isle of Innisfree
, the tranquility of which it aims to replicate, this award-winning res-
taurant and hotel, in a market town 6 miles from Rutland Water, is great for a family
lunch—for its good prices and for the wide choice including toasted sandwiches,
omelets, and interesting pasta dishes. At dinner the options are more limited, but you
won't complain when you sample such seasonal dishes as an autumnal antipasti (wild
boar chorizo, venison salami, quail eggs, preserved pears, roquefort, walnuts, and
winter leaves), or steamed plaice with crab croquettes, pickled marsh samphire, and
tomato and tarragon cream sauce. The chef happily caters to the requests of kids,
who are welcome (but who must eat before 6pm Fri-Sat). If you stay in one of the
12 comfy
guest rooms
(from £80 for a double, breakfast included) or one- or two-
bedroom “cottages,” babysitting is available.
16 High St. East, Uppingham.
&
01572/822951.
www.lakeisle.co.uk. Reservations recommended (din-
ner). Main courses £13-£19. MC, V. Mon 7-9pm; Tues-Thurs noon-2:30pm, and 7-9pm; Fri-Sat noon-
12:30pm and 7-9.30pm; Sun noon-2pm.
Olive Branch
PUB FOOD/MODERN BRITISH Rustic charm abounds
at this traditional inn in a pretty Rutland village, newly renovated to its former glory
with the aid of local restorers and cabinet makers. In winter you can sit around open
fires (scented with roasting chestnuts) and drink sloe gin, damson vodka, and mulled
wine made with berries from surrounding hedgerows. In summer, enjoy barbecues in
the garden accompanied by homemade lemonade, Pimms, and strawberry vodka.
Despite the informal vibe, the food has garnered the Olive Branch many awards and
titles, including Michelin Pub of the Year in 2008. Local ingredients including game
and orchard fruits star in salads, sandwiches, and soups, pub classics, and more for-
mal dishes—everything from fish and chips to seared scallops with black-pudding
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