We’d been to the picturesque Wyken Vineyards in Suffolk before, to mooch around the farmers’ market on a sunny weekend morning in July. But, on Saturday evening we kept a long-talked about date, dressed up in our best togs, and ate at Wyken’s well-regarded restaurant, The Leaping Hare.
I’d not eaten in the cosy 400-year old barn for some while, but am pleased to report that the experience is just as enjoyable as it was on those two previous occasions. It’s little wonder that it was voted the place which serves the best Sunday lunch in East Anglia by readers of The Observer Food Monthly back in March, as the food is very good, and the staff attentive, courteous, and friendly.
The menu has tastes of modern British and European cuisine, using fresh ingredients, sourced locally and seasonally where possible (certain constituents even come from the Wyken estate itself). Indeed, so reportedly good is the place that it is listed in both the Michelin and Good Food Guides, and although the prices are more than we would usually pay, as we were celebrating, we thought the £54 for the two of us was reasonable enough.
Starting with the starters, my broccoli soup was creamy and sprinkled with almonds, while Nik’s spiced aubergine with a mint and yoghurt dressing and pitta, was equally good. Based on memories of my last visit, we both plumped for the same main course, a leek and butternut squash and risotto, which was just as pleasing as I remembered it.
Finally, the desserts of apple crisp with cinnamon ice cream, and blood orange and vodka jelly with vanilla bean ice cream, rounded off both the meal and the Wyken dining experience nicely.
The menu changes daily (no doubt dictated by the availability of local produce on any given day), and with starters costing £4.95 upwards (much the same for desserts), and the mains priced at £12.95, rising to £19.95 for grouse, The Leaping Hare attracts a distinguished, local, and rural clientele. Wine starts at around £14.50 for a bottle of house red or white, and with an extensive list, even the most discerning palette should be happy.
Of course, the seven-acre vineyards at Wyken produce wine themselves. All white varieties, ‘Wyken Bacchus’ is a previous recipient of the English Vineyard Association’s ‘Wine of the Year’ award, while ‘Wyken Moonshine’ caters for the sparkling drinkers.
A new roseÌ?, ‘Wyken Pink’, has recently appeared on The Leaping Hare’s wine list, and the estate’s first ever beer, ‘Good Dog Ale’, has recently been brewed on-site. (We chose the Wyken Pink and can heartily recommend it.)
The country shop is open to browse around in during breaks in the meal (although if like us, the courses follow each other quickly, there will be no time to look around), and the ambience afforded by the high-roofed and beamed barn is both intimate and relaxing, the Suffolk green-painted chairs and small table lamps playing their upmarket country cottage parts well.
The barn also houses a small café, which is open from 10am to 6pm daily, and offers cheaper (though no less fresh or local) treats, while the restaurant itself is open Friday and Saturday evenings only from 7pm. Booking is advisable, though.
The Leaping Hare Restaurant at Wyken Vineyards (01359 250287) can be found at Stanton, Suffolk, 9 miles north east from Bury St Edmunds.
Tags: The Leaping Hare, Wkyen Vineyards