The Olive Branch

We chose the Lunch for Less menu as a nice way to try a Michelin starred restaurant. The food was tasty, but I didn't find it particularly exciting, and the service felt lacking despite the discretionary charge. When we arrived, we were told where our table was rather than being shown to it, which set the tone. The young waiter described each dish, but nobody asked what we thought until we were paying. My black pudding starter looked beautiful and tasted fine, though it got monotonous because there weren't many ways to combine different elements in a bite. We both had chicken for the main, tender with a really rich jus, but without little additions it also became repetitive. The bread and butter pudding was a generous portion, though there was very little crème anglaise. Maybe the service was because we ordered from the Lunch for Less menu, but it still felt short of what the charge suggested.

The restaurant was a lovely place to celebrate my brother's 18th birthday with my family. The rustic, cosy interior suited the English countryside, and the staff were kind and attentive. They kept topping up our water, and we felt well looked after. The lunch dishes mixed classics with more modern techniques, and it was exciting to try them. Everything was flavourful, each element felt purposeful, and the cooking was spot on. Desserts were tasty and nicely presented. The wine list wasn't huge, but it had some great choices. My one small suggestion is to use better serviettes, as ours were a bit thin and didn't feel very good quality. We'd definitely recommend The Olive Branch and hope to come back around Christmas, if we can get a table since they're booked months ahead.

It's expensive, but in my opinion worth every penny for a wonderful treat. This is my favourite restaurant in the East Midlands. The food is beautiful and the service impeccable every time we go. Nothing seems too difficult for them. I recently found out I can't eat onions, and they had some stock preserved without onions. I couldn't believe how much thought and consideration they give their guests, and I'm so grateful.

The Olive Branch Country Inn in Rutland has plenty of character, with a beautiful traditional pub setting in a lovely rural spot. The staff were warm and friendly, and we felt at home from the start. We enjoyed Sunday lunch, and the food was good and nicely presented, though we thought it was expensive for what we got. Our plum, Stilton and walnut salad starter was £13, but most of the plate was salad leaves. We've found better value elsewhere, so we're taking off a star even though the visit was pleasant.