A trip to Germany gave LINDA BARRINGTON-SMITH a taste for the food — luckily a much loved hotel restaurant in Attleborough has new German owners.

Having recently returned from a holiday in Germany, we were interested to learn that the Sherbourne House Hotel in Attleborough has been owned by a German couple since March this year.

So, being members of a dining club, many of which have German interests, twelve of us just had to try it out.

Built around 1740, the hotel on Norwich Road, run by Doris Rogg and Tobias Pfeiffer, oozes a relaxing atmosphere of elegant charm and comfort.

Set in its own grounds close to Attleborough town centre, Sherbourne House has always been popular and has eight bedrooms, together with various meeting and dining rooms, as well as the restaurant.

Starting off with drinks in the conservatory, we moved into the elegant restaurant which serves an a la carte menu using fresh seasonal ingredients, much of it locally sourced.

The long table was beautifully set with crisp white tablecloth overlaid with a burgundy cloth, gleaming cutlery and glassware and floral arrangements.

We were not the only party, so the evening was quite lively. The friendly and helpful staff coped admirably though and everything went smoothly.

Impressions were good from the start, as water was brought to the table without having to ask for it. And the glasses were replenished throughout the evening.

The hotel provided a German-inspired menu for us consisting of a choice of three starters, mains and desserts plus vegetarian option.

Most went for the starter of oven roasted pork belly with fried sweet potato and bean salad, and the tartar of salmon with fried scampi and salad garnish. The other choice was pumpkin soup with croutons. All tasted excellent.

For the mains there was Schnitzel 'Viennese Style' with potato salad, pan fried halibut served on a creamy tomato-leek ragout with herb rice or bangers and mash — German style!

We ourselves had the halibut. The dish was well presented and the flavours exquisite. One of our friends offered us a taste of her vegetarian dish — mushrooms in a creamy sauce with bread dumpling — and that too tasted wonderful.

Only a few of us managed dessert — apple strudel with custard, vanilla ice cream with hot cherries and chocolate mousse with mixed berry compote.

Some of these dishes are on the main menu, which changes regularly and always has a German special on offer.

There's a simple pricing policy — one course �16.50, two courses �22.50 and three courses �26.50. Booking is advisable as the table is yours for the evening and the restaurant opens Tuesday to Saturday from 6.30pm (last orders 8.45pm).

The whole party enjoyed the evening immensely and agreed that das Essen schmeckte wunderbar.

SHERBOURNE HOUSE HOTEL

Norwich Road

Attleborough

01953 454363

www.sherbourne-house.co.uk

Open: Tues-Sat 6.30pm-last orders 8.45pm

Prices: One course �16.50, two courses �22.50, three courses �26.50

Vegetarian options: Decent selection

Wheelchair access: Yes