The Whitebrook is a Michelin star restaurant with eight rooms for guests, set in the blissfully peaceful Wye Valley. Living’s Michael Purton enjoyed a ‘dining experience’ before staying the night.
In 2013, Worcestershire-born chef Chris Harrod and his wife Kirsty followed their dream of owning their own restaurant, and within 11 months The Whitebrook was awarded a Michelin star.
The restaurant has since won an AA Wine Award for Wales and Inspectors’ Choice (Restaurant with Rooms) at the AA Hospitality Awards 2017, and become one of only 39 restaurants in the UK to hold 4 AA Rosettes.
Along with a place in the 2017 Waitrose Good Food Guide Top 50 UK Restaurants, these prestigious accolades put The Whitebrook amongst the very best restaurants in the country when it comes to awards – and after staying there, I could understand why the place has been showered with praise.
Every dish at The Whitebrook, from breakfast through to dinner boasts locally sourced ingredients, many of which are foraged within a short distance from the restaurant, and that freshness radiates from the plate.
Chris makes full use of the abundant produce within the Wye Valley and Forest of Dean, and offers guests a three course set menu and a seven course tasting menu available for lunch and dinner.
It was the tasting menu (£74 or £129 with tasting wines) that my companion and I enjoyed, and with the seven courses – and a cheese board – spread out over almost three hours, eating at The Whitebrook is a dining experience, not just a meal out.
On the night we visited, the tasting menu comprised of Wye Valley asparagus; Orkney scallop; charred leek; day boat turbot; Ryeland lamb; blackberry, chamomile and blackcurrant sage; and local strawberries, with the vegetarian alternative replacing the scallop with heirloom cucumbers, the turbot with heirloom carrots, and the lamb with violet artichokes.
Both my companion and I agreed that it was one of the best meals we’d ever had, with every dish exquisite in both taste and presentation.
Chris and his team have compiled a drinks list championing local wines and beers, independent growers and organic producers. We samples a number of the superb wines, and I also had a delicious Ty-Bryn Welsh Cider.
The rooms at The Whitebrook are simply but stylishly furnished, and the bathrooms are generously-sized with organic handmade skincare products from Sedbergh Soap Company, and the staff ensure you feel truly welcome upon arrival, with a greeting of homemade Welsh cakes fresh from the oven a particularly nice touch.
Breakfast was impressive, with bacon, sausage and black pudding from neighbouring village Trealy Farm Charcuterie, and smoked haddock and kippers from the Black Mountain Smokery in Crickhowell, on offer, along with cereals and fresh bread for those looking for something a little simpler.
Although the building in which The Whitebrook is housed is not particularly eye-catching, the surrounding valleys are breathtakingly beautiful and perfect for walks and cycle rides. Also, the picturesque town Monmouth is just a short drive away.
For top class food in idyllic surroundings, you can’t do better than The Whitebrook.
5/5
Prices start from £224 for dinner, bed and breakfast based on two people sharing.
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