A Leicestershire restaurant around 30 miles from my house has been on my radar for around a decade.
It has taken me so long to finally get there, but I am so very glad to have made the pilgrimage over to John’s House Restaurant.
The restaurant’s unique location is as much a talking point, as it is part of its ethos.
Based on the working farm of Stonehurst, the restaurant also boasts a farm shop, tearoom, motor museum and on-site bakery.
Unlike most restaurants, once you dine at John’s House, you will really not want to leave the location.
There is so much going on at this site, I think you would need a full day.
Go for the fine dining experience, stay for farmyard cuddles, have a mooch at the motor museum and hunker down for cake and coffee to round off the day.
The food is what drew me there in the first place.
Entering the restaurant, the crackling log fire and friendly staff made sure to provide a quite literally warm welcome.
We were seated on the ground floor with cocktails and amuse-bouche, which I thought was a nice touch. I am a big fan of the sausage medallions, I could have easily scarfed a few more.
It is very quiet in there, perhaps people were awed by the expectation of a fine dining experience, but I loved the calming atmosphere.
Upstairs the first thing we saw was a cheese board trolley.
As a giant cheese fan, this made my soul do cartwheels.
Warm bread rolls, whipped chicken fat butter, a quince pudding that was tart yet comforting. Every single course I had quietly boasted accomplished, inventive cooking.
It is important to note that the farm has been home to the Duffin Family since 1951. Over the years a farm shop, tearoom and motor museum has been added to make this a go-to destination for families, foodies and more.
If you haven’t visited the restaurant yet, I can heartily recommend the lunch option. There are also tasting menus on offer too.
From quince pudding to Cornish cod with mussels, flavour-packed dishes at John’s House makes this one of my top dining experiences this year.
Here’s a selection of photos from my visit to the restaurant.
9. The central island in the dining room is a feature I have not seen while dining at restaurants around the country. It enables Front Of House staff to help provide discreet and stellar customer service.
John’s House Restaurant, 139-141 Loughborough Road, Mountsorrel, Loughborough LE12 7AR | Ria Ghei
10. Soft bread warm from the oven came served with a flourish
John’s House Restaurant, 139-141 Loughborough Road, Mountsorrel, Loughborough LE12 7AR | Ria Ghei
11. Cocktail at John's House Restaurant
John’s House Restaurant, 139-141 Loughborough Road, Mountsorrel, Loughborough LE12 7AR | Ria Ghei
12. Pudding of Quince, sherry, brown sugar cream and old English spice was a joyous melee
John’s House Restaurant, 139-141 Loughborough Road, Mountsorrel, Loughborough LE12 7AR | Ria Ghei