The Red Lion
Mastering the menu
Guy and Brittany honed their culinary skills in some of the world’s top kitchens before settling down in the wilds of Wiltshire, most notably the invaluable stints with Thomas Keller at the renowned Per Se restaurant in New York and at a top Michelin starred restaurant (Martin Berasategui) in San Sebastian, Spain. Precise, cutting-edge cooking techniques acquired on their travels have been applied to simpler, more rustic dishes and the results are impressive, as recognized by Michelin (1 Star) and the AA (3 Rosettes). Everything is made in-house, from the lime cordial to the ketchup, and they have a passion for sourcing the best local ingredients (or growing/rearing their own), which dictate the dishes on the ever-changing daily menus, which are sensibly short and dishes simply described. In addition to the exciting and innovative dishes on the main menu (see sample below), and to underline the fact that the Mannings want to keep the Red Lion a pub, you can order a cheese & pickle sandwich (£6.50), ham, egg and chips (£12.50) or a burger and chips (£13.50).
On the menu
Clam tagliatelle, shellfish bisque, crab & tarragon (£8.50)
Confit chicken, foie gras & ham hock terrine, fine herbs, toasted sourdough (£9)
Orkney scallops, pickled strawberries, hazelnut puree, black truffle and nasturtiums (£12.50)
Slow-cooked pork belly, braised octopus, grilled spuds, peppers, olives, sauce Romesco (£20)
Cornish turbot, samphire, poached ratte potatoes, brown shrimp, sauce viérge (£25)
Rib of Wiltshire beef (for 2) with hand-cut chips and béarnaise (£60)
Macerated strawberry salad with frangipane, basil ice cream (£8.50)
Passion fruit baked Alaska, macademia & ginger (£9)
Set Monday to Friday lunch menu (2 courses £18; 3 courses £24; 3 choices at each course)
Cep and potato soup with thyme Chantilly, croutons and chives
Pork cheeks, with crisp polenta, red cabbage and braising liquor
Poached pear with toasted meringue and candied pecans
Sunday Roasts
There are always two roasts available, perhaps pork belly and roast rib of beef (£18-£25).
Foodie Extras
If you’re staying at the Red Lion and planning to head out walking for the day, then a delicious packed lunch can be prepared for you.
Time to Eat
Breakfast: 8am - 9.30am
Lunch: 12.30pm – 2.30pm
Dinner: 6.30pm – 9pm (6pm – 8pm Sunday)
Local, local, local
Henge Honey, Wilsford
Free range eggs & specialist vegetables – Moonraker Farm, Bottlesford (www.moonrakerfarm.com)
Wiltshire truffles (www.wiltshiretruffles.com)
Marlborough Mushrooms (www.marlboroughmushrooms.com)
Wines – Stone, Vine & Son, (www.stonevine.co.uk)
Asparagus & game – Everleigh Farm Shop (www.everleighfarmshop.co.uk)
Meat – Walter Rose Butchers, Devizes (www.walterroseandson.co.uk)
Red Lion Goodies – raised beds & greenhouse, rescued hens, West Berkshire pigs (delicious pork)
Organic Soaps & Toiletries – Quintessentially English, Lacock (www.quintessentiallyenglish.co.uk)
Troutbeck furnishings – Indigo Antiques, Mannington Bruce (www.indigo-uk.com)
Behind the bar
The bar and cellar may be small but the selection of drinks packs a punch, with an eclectic range of hand-picked whisky, digestifs and boutique spirits, most notably a strong choice of very special American top shelf stuff, the preferred tipple of American-born Brittany, and a raft of interesting summer cocktails chalked up on the blackboard. Four hand pumps pull through some quality ale from Wiltshire micro-breweries, the favoured beers coming from Keystone, Ramsbury, Stonehenge, Three Castles and Plain Ales, all brewed within a 20-mile radius of the pub. The style-driven, 40-bin wine list offers some great value drinking (21 by the glass), with wines selected by Stone, Vine & Sun in Twyford, Hampshire.
Bar snacks
Scotch eggs (£4)
Gordal Reina olives (£3.50)
Shaggy’s super nuts (£3.50)
Pork crackers (£3)
Ice cream sandwiches (£3)
Time at the bar
12 noon – 11pm
Book a room at this inn
David Hancock says
The Best Bits
Thatched village gem in deepest Wiltshire
Proper pub – relaxed and welcoming
Culinary oasis – Michelin starred food
Chef-owners – passion for local food
Simple, rustic dishes, precisely cooked
Stunning rooms in riverside setting - special
What’s the Damage?
5 doubles: £150 - £210; Friday, Saturday & peak times £170 - £250
Extended stay discount if you stay a minimum of 2 nights, but not available on Saturdays or peak periods
Inn Places Perk
Free Room Upgrade if Available
What Else?
All credit cards taken (except Amex)
Alfresco dining
Parking
Disabled access to the dining room; spacious Manser Room is wheelchair friendly and has a wet room
Gongs
AA 5 Star Inn & 3 Rosettes; Waitrose Good Food Guide; Michelin Star