TOP 50 GASTROPUBS 2016
4. The Plough Inn, Longparish, Hampshire
James Durrant's acclaimed Hampshire pub shot up the list from 29th to 4th place in 2015. The chef, a Great British Menu winner and proud owner of a Michelin Bib Gourmand, is an outspoken advocate of Hampshire's food industry and was recently appointed food tourism ambassador for the county.
In June, Durrant announced the launch of "informal cookery school" and private dining venture James' Kitchen Table, offering masterclasses where he would teach customers to cook a seasonal, three-course lunch as well as bespoke courses for customers who want to brush up on their culinary skills at all levels.
Sample dishes: Calf's liver with sage salsa verde, caper, raisins, potatoes and crispy ham (pictured), Romsey chalk stream trout with runner beans, smoked bacon, gem lettuce and slow-cooked yolk, wood pigeon "Pot au Feu" with gnocchie, hazelnut pesto and cépes.
