Yesterday was the best. I wanted to take my knowledgable pal Sam to Proudfoot & Co. in Winchester to see if it’s really as amazing and unique as I thought. And friends, it is. She was just as blown away as I was, and happily talked foraging, fermenting and barrel-aging with owner Eoghan Proudfoot. We tasted (fig leaf extract, barrel-aged sassafras-infused maple syrup, hogweed seeds, dried nettle, among other things). We slurped (peanut milk…incredible, foraged cream soda…divine, The Woodsman…outstanding, and Hampshire Honeydew…beautiful). Then we happily rolled home.

But hang on…rewind…before all that, we went for lunch at The Chesil Rectory. I first discovered this gem of a place about five years ago, and have visited many times since. The independently-owned restaurant is housed in a 600-year-old Grade II listed building. Originally built by a wealthy merchant between 1425-1450, it is one of Winchester’s best preserved Medieval buildings. It was previously an antique shop, a tannery, a private dwelling, general store and tea rooms before becoming a restaurant 85 years ago. (And yes, that’s me casually hugging a beam in the photo. Partly because I was so happy to be back, and partly to thank the building for surviving fires and floods, religious upheaval, the plague and two World Wars).

Stepping down through the low front door, you’d be forgiven for thinking it might be a bit twee inside. But no, it’s like the proverbial cucumber. The beams might be low and the wooden floors sloping, but the botanical prints, modern lighting and shades of green and yellow all bring it right up-to-date.

We effortlessly choose from the set menu (incredible value at £17.95 for two courses or £21.95 for three courses). In fact, I’d have happily eaten the whole menu. We started with a glass of Hattingley Valley fizz and fresh bread, butter, oil and delicious dukkah. For my starter, I had the torched South coast mackerel, charred sourdough, roasted heritage tomatoes, black olive oil and salsa verde. The mackerel was the freshest I’ve had for a while, and the whole plate was faultless. Sam chose the soft poached duck egg with chicken confit, buttered leeks and truffle and hazelnut dressing, and I can confirm it was as divinely tasty as it sounds.

For our main we both had the most delicate Cornish plaice with Meunière hollandaise, Mayan Gold potatoes and purple sprouting broccoli. It was all cooked to perfection and the capers in the sauce made the flavours sing.

And if there is a better way to end a fantastic meal than by sharing a chef’s cheese plate and a molten chocolate pudding with toasted pretzel ice cream, then do let me know because I don’t believe there is.

Combine the quality of the produce and cooking, the excellent service, a buzzing (and safe) atmosphere, and a fantastic bottle of Finca Os Cobatos Godello, lunch at Chesil Rectory was a truly special and joyous occasion.

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This is not an advert. I paid for my own food, drinks and travel. I want to write meaningful, unbiased content that my readers can trust. I only share genuinely amazing places that I’m proud to have discovered.