Gloucestershire pubs in the Michelin Guide 2010

News - Find out which of Gloucestershire’s best inns and taverns have made it into the Michelin Guide to Eating Out in Pubs 2010, with 17 pubs recommended for exceptional cooking across the county this year.

A grand total of 17 Gloucestershire pubs serving outstanding food have been selected to be featured in the brand new Michelin Guide to Eating Out in Pubs 2010 this year, with four first-time entries for county establishments.

Published on Wednesday 9 September 2009, this year’s guide includes 573 of the best pubs serving good food in the UK and Ireland. While the Michelin Pub of the Year 2010 was awarded to The Masons Arms in Devon, Gloucestershire establishments are well represented in the latest edition of this popular guide.

Commenting on the evolution of pub food and its rise in popularity, Derek Bulmer, the guide’s editor said: ‘Judging by the number of new entries we have found for this year’s guide it would seem that reports of the death of the British pub have been grossly exaggerated.

‘Establishments that have adapted to the changing habits of their customers by offering good quality, value for money food are thriving. In fact, I would go as far as to say that food could be the saviour of our pub industry – especially in rural areas.’

SoGlos.com takes a look into what’s on offer at these 17 recommended Gloucestershire pubs with a selection of sample dishes that promise to make your mouth water.

The Village Pub in Barnsley

The Village Pub takes pride of place in the postcard-pretty Cotswolds village of Barnsley. Despite being a traditional country pub, the food served is an exceptionally-high standard of modern British fare, complimented by local real ales and an extensive wine list. Sample dishes include: asparagus with fried duck egg and parmesan hollandaise; twice baked double Gloucester soufflé; and rum baba with roasted peaches and zabaglione ice cream.

For more information see The Village Pub.

The Catherine Wheel in Bibury

The Catherine Wheel has had its first entry in the Michelin Guide to Eating Out in Pubs this year. A delightful 15th century Cotswold stone inn in Bibury, near Cirencester, The Catherine Wheel’s menu is comprised of simple pub grub fare with sample dishes including hearty sausage and mash, classic fish and chips, and homemade pie.

For more information see The Catherine Wheel.

Horse and Groom in Bourton-on-the-Hill

The Horse and Groom in Bourton-on-the-Hill is a lively pub housed in a listed Georgian building, enjoying fantastic views over the surrounding countryside from its hilltop setting. The pub has established an excellent reputation for serving innovative European dishes from a daily changing blackboard menu. Sample dishes include: courgette and thyme soup with lemon oil; pan fried Old Spot pork chop and café de paris butter; as well as double chocolate brownie, with chocolate sauce and vanilla ice cream.

For more information see Horse and Groom.

The Gumstool Inn in Tetbury

The Gumstool Inn in Tetbury is Calcot Manor hotel’s traditional gastropub. Serving modern European dishes in hearty portions with an imaginative flair, The Gumstool is popular with food-lovers as much as real ale connoisseurs. For warmer days, there is a pretty sun terrace outside, while darker winter evenings are warmed with cosy log fires. Sample dishes include: smoked duck and melon with figs; braised blade of aged Scottish beef with dauphinoise potato gratin.

For more information see The Gumstool Inn.

Eight Bells Inn in Chipping Campden

The Eight Bells Inn was built in the 14th century to accommodate the stonemasons building Chipping Campden’s church, and now offers visitors a beautiful beamed bar serving traditional ales and ciders on tap, with log fires in the winter and candlelit all year round. The Eight Bells’ dining room includes six tables, where diners can tuck into a selection of international dishes. Sample dishes include: homemade spicy lamb kofta with minted couscous; fish pie served with sautéed Campden-grown sugar snap peas; and apple and rhubarb cobbler with warm custard.

For more information see Eight Bells Inn.

The Green Dragon Inn in Cockleford

The Green Dragon Inn is a popular 17th century inn in a village location which draws visitors from near and far. Complete with log fires and real ales, The Green Dragon is renowned for serving remarkably good pub grub. Sample dishes include: Mediterranean vegetable tart served on mixed greens; pork and sage burger with a spiced apple chutney; and a changing selection of desserts.

For more information see The Green Dragon.

The Colesbourne Inn in Colesbourne

The Colesbourne Inn is situated in two acres of Cotswold countryside, with four separate dining areas serving both a traditional inn menu and an a la carte menu of homemade international dishes. Run by proprietor-chef Richard Johnson, who used to work for Gordon Ramsay, sample dishes from the a la carte menu include: crayfish gateau; pan fried sea bass, crushed new potatoes, tomato confit and English asparagus; Colesbourne rhubarb crème brûlée with homemade ginger biscuits.

For more information see The Colesbourne Inn.

The Ebrington Arms in Chipping Campden

Making its Michelin Guide to Eating Out in Pubs debut in 2010 is The Ebrington Arms, an unspoilt 17th century inn offering real ales, good food and a traditional English country pub atmosphere. Sample dishes include: tuna carpaccio, radish, parmesan shavings with lemon olive oil; toasted hazlenut and vegetable burger served with red onion marmelade and home cut chips; and chocolate nemesis with marscapone cream.

Wild Duck Inn in Ewen

The Wild Duck Inn in Ewen, near Cirencester, is a picturesque 16th century inn which plays home to a bar serving real ales and wines, as well as a pretty garden. But most visitors make the journey to Ewen to dine at the Wild Duck’s separate, and very well-regarded, restaurant serving modern cuisine made from fresh seasonal produce. Sample dishes include: smoked haddock fishcakes with lemon aioli; cajun roast pork cutlet with sweet potato mash, five spiced vegetable and roast pepper salsa; and regularly changing desserts.

For more information see The Wild Duck Inn.

The Fox Inn in Lower Oddington

The Fox Inn in Lower Oddington, near Stow-on-the-Wold, is well-known locally for its excellent quality food, with passers-by also being drawn into the 11th century inn by the Virginia-creepers climbing its Cotswold stone walls. Serving-up an adventurous modern menu, visitors will find a selection of seasonal daily specials as well as favourites with a permanent presence on The Fox’s well-priced menu. Sample dishes include: honey roast duck salad with raspberry vinaigrette; individually baked beef steak and kidney pie; and orange and apricot brioche bread and butter pudding.

For more information see The Fox Inn.

The Ragged Cot in Minchinhampton

The Ragged Cot is set alongside the National Trust’s 600 acre Minchinhampton Common, with the traditional coaching inn offering a place for walkers to unwind with a pint of real ale or glass of wine, as well as a destination for foodies to flock to. The seasonal menu takes advantage of local producers where possible, and some ingredients are even grown in the garden.

For more information see The Ragged Cot in Minchinhampton.

The Bell at Sapperton in Sapperton

The Bell in the Cotswold village of Sapperton is a stylish and contemporary pub whose owners have placed an obvious emphasis on food, with a quality and value for money menu making the drive to Sapperton well worth it. Sample dishes include: seared Scottish scallops with creamed cauliflower, pickled carrot and ginger; roast stuffed pheasant breast with spiced red cabbage; as well as a daily selection of homemade puddings.

For more information see The Bell at Sapperton.

The Trouble House in Tetbury

The Trouble House in Tetbury’s exposed beams and log fires give a warm atmosphere, while the unpretentious and well-priced menu of modern food adds to the cosiness even further. Sample dishes include: red mullet soup, with saffron rouille, gruyere and croutons; wild Severn salmon, with baby spinach and watercress, tapenade, Cornish oyster fritter and sauce vierge; and pink champagne and English strawberry jelly with vanilla custard.

For more information see The Trouble House.

The Swan in Southrop

Southrop residents and visitors from far and wide will be pleased to see The Swan make its first entry in this year’s Michelin Guide to Eating Out in Pubs. The pretty ivy-covered gastropub has gained an enviable reputation for excellent-quality European cuisine, with sample dishes include: fish soup with rouille, gruyère and croutons; grilled rib-eye steak with béarnaise sauce, pommes frites and green salad; and a decadent hot chocolate fondant with vanilla ice cream for dessert.

For more information see The Swan at Southrop

The White Hart Inn in Stow-on-the-Wold

The White Hart Inn is another new entry in this year’s illustrious list, which describes itself as a stunning ‘boutique-style’ inn with a cracking interior and top-notch cuisine, all situated in the centre of Stow-on-the-Wold. Sample dishes include: pumpkin, bacon and smoked paprika soup; chunk of cod, maris piper mash, braised fennel and salsa verde; and vanilla panna cotta, poached rhubarb home made honeycomb.

For more information see The White Hart Inn

Horse and Groom Village Inn in Upper Oddington

The Horse and Groom Village Inn in Upper Oddington, near Moreton-on-Marsh, is a rural 16th century inn with a modern menu that takes advantage of seasonal local ingredients – including herbs and fruit from the Horse and Groom’s own gardens. Sample dishes include: confit chicken, tarragon and mushroom boudin, wrapped in parma ham and served with pistachio salad; tagine of lamb shoulder wrapped in aubergine with saffron cous cous and homemade hummus; and warm black treacle tart with gooseberry ice-cream.

For more information see Horse and Groom Village Inn.

The White Hart Inn in Winchcombe

The White Hart Inn on Winchcombe’s High Street is a lively destination pub, offering hearty seasonal British food in generous portions – with at least six different traditional handmade sausages available from the dedicated menu on a daily basis. An extensive selection of whites and reds is available by the glass or bottle, with an in-house wine shop offering even more choice. Sample dishes include: salad of Evesham Vale asparagus with Denhay cured ham and quail eggs; Sudeley Hill Farm old spot belly pork, bubble and squeak, and bramley apple sauce; and very sticky toffee pudding.

For more information see The White Hart Inn.

The Michelin Guide to Eating Out in Pubs 2010 is published on Wednesday 9 September 2009, and costs from £9.74 from amazon.co.uk.

Michelle Byrne
9 September 2009