Our food columnist and reviewer Mark Heath takes a look at the Suffolk eateries he hopes to visit in 2024 - and explains why...
Happy New Year, friends. I hope the Christmas festivities treated you well.
I consumed roughly thrice the daily recommended quantity of pork over the celebrations and yet, just a week into 2024, I'm already drawing up my hit list for places to eat over the next 12 months.
Ok, let's get stuck in - in no particular order, these are the dining destinations I'm hoping to get to this year, and why they're catching my eye...
The Bull Freehouse, Troston
We first visited The Bull as our first trip out post-Covid lockdown two, and were very impressed by both the food and the vibe/ambition of the place.
At the time the idyllic country pub had just re-opened, having stood empty for three years, with foodie friends Ben Davenport and Sam Darling taking over the reigns and renovating the building/business.
That included adding their very own micro-brewery, as well as offering an extensive drinks list including more than 120 spirits.
It's since gone on to establish a reputation as one of the best pubs in the region - and that might be about to step up another notch.
Firstly, they've just opened their own boutique accommodation in The Pear Tree Inn, a former farmer’s cottage dating back to the 1760s, only 35 yards from the pub. There are seven 'ultra-luxe' rooms on offer, if you fancy making a night or two of it. Ultra-luxe sounds rather sexy, doesn't it?
Secondly, they've just recruited new head chef Sam Sturman, one of the county's brightest culinary stars, to elevate their food offering even further.
Sam, whom you may know from his time at The Brewers in Rattlesden and MJP at the Shepherds in Fen Ditton, will be launching his new menu this month. We'll be there soon!
The Unruly Pig, Bromeswell
I feel something of a fraud, as a Suffolk-based food writer, that I've never visited The Unruly Pig.
It's among the county's most-lauded eateries, seemingly winning an award every week or so, and was, of course, named the UK's Best Gastropub in 2022.
I've visited and enjoyed several other pubs on that prestigious annual list - including Tom Kerridge's spectacular two-star Hand & Flowers in Marlow - and thus I'm frothing at my foodie gills to finally get to Dave Wall's apparently excellent eatery.
We're going in February, the table's already booked.
The Greyhound, Pettistree
Another Suffolk watering hole which features on the list of the UK's Best Gastropubs, The Greyhound has been on my 'must-visit' itinerary since last September.
That's when Adam Spicer, a finalist in MasterChef: The Professionals back in 2019, joined as head chef and, having eaten his exciting, creative food previously at The View in Fornham All Saints, I'm fascinated to see what he's creating here.
He's already added a feasting menu - two words very much up my epicurean street - which features the likes of lobster pie and a roast pig's head.
The Grain Kitchen, Roudham
Ok, this one isn't technically in Suffolk, but hear me out.
The reason this is on the list is because it combines two of my great interests.
Namely, following the fortunes of folks who have made a splash on the Suffolk food scene. And whisky.
Lucy and Grant Newland departed Haughley's popular Kings Arms for this project, based at the English Distillery, last September.
The duo have since opened what was a closed, dormant restaurant, with a menu focusing on the best of Suffolk and Norfolk's seasonal offerings.
I very much like the sound of their beef brisket truffle mac n' cheese, and I also like the fact I can then walk it off by gazing at aspirational whiskies in the distillery's excellent shop.
Tuddenham Mill, Tuddenham St Mary
Lee Bye's beautiful restaurant with luxury rooms, set amidst some stunning West Suffolk countryside, is one of our favourite places.
If you've never been, I'd implore you to get it on your list for 2024 - push the boat out and treat yourself to a loft suite and the tasting menu. Life's for living, after all.
The reason it's on my list this year is simply because we've not been since 2021, when we were forced to retire early from sampling the tasting menu due to - ahem - a little too much refreshment from the accompanying flight of wine.
It's time to right that boozy wrong.
Roots Cafe, Rougham
Roots opened on the Rougham Estate back in October, a hotly-anticipated year-round cafe at what is a thriving destination.
Led by head chef Laura Wheeler, formerly of Ickworth House, I had high hopes for the new venture, but was fairly underwhelmed upon my first visit - or rather then first time I managed to actually secure a table - back in October.
I'm hoping that was largely down to the twin pressures of huge interest/demand and launching a new venture, because the venue itself is tremendous and the cafe appears to have everything one needs to make a success of things.
I'll put that to the test properly at some point this year.
Sutherland House, Southwold
The final entry on my list of seven, Sutherland House is here because I'd never heard of it - until it appeared on OpenTable's top 100 restaurants in the UK list for 2023.
While you get silly lists from desperate PR bods pop up all the time - best pubs to stand on one leg and have a pint at, top 17 restaurants to get dumped at etc - this one piqued my interest as a credible ranking.
We love Southwold and try to visit at least two or three times a year - so we must have walked past this place on numerous occasions.
Next time, we'll be walking in.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here