Bacchus

Bacchus is a well-loved restaurant where you are treated, if not as a god, then certainly with impeccable standards of service. As you might expect from the name, the wine list is extensive but that is where the bacchanalia ends. The food at Bacchus is resolutely traditional, largely following a refined version of the meat and two veg template.

That’s not necessarily a bad thing. Provenance is good with venison sourced locally and the cooking is good, just a little old-fashioned. Nevertheless, a meal here always feels like a treat. It’s a special occasion kind of restaurant where less adventurous diners will still find plenty to enjoy – not everyone wants Chinese-style fried bullfrog for dinner. At least not every night.

Although Bacchus is on the fancy side, there is a good value two-course lunch and midweek evening menu which makes a meal here more accessible. Dishes like grilled fillet of hake with garlic butter new potatoes, spinach and salsa verde are a steal on a Saturday lunchtime.