Loverly Posh Hotel, Clean Restaurant, Nice Helpful Staff, Great Jazz Music, Smashing Food !

We arrived early for the first featured ‘Jazz Lunch’ at the Wychwood Park hotel so that we would be able to enjoy a leisurely drink in the newly refurbished ‘Bar Vista’. So, after checking in at the restaurant we went upstairs to the Bar. It was well worth it, the bar has a new atmosphere which is relaxed but at the same time semi formal. A real plus for the hotel. The views across the Golf Course and Cheshire Plain to Bickerton and Beeston are quite stunning. It is even possible to make out the Welsh Hills beyond. The maitre’d appeared at our side and informed us that we may now go to the restaurant as our table was ready. The groups of diners went down individually, not as a crowd and were shown to their respective tables. It was good to see so many people present on this, the inaugural Jazz Sunday Lunch. The menus were presented and we were asked to choose. The format is over three courses, a choice for starter, carvery for main and then a further choice of dessert. The feeling I got was that we could stay as long as we wished, there is no rushing us out because another party is waiting for the table. For starters, my wife decided on the tomato and Basil soup, I plumped for the black pudding in bacon with a mustard sauce. They arrived in a timely fashion and were both delicious. It was at this point that the Jazz musician started, she played slow relaxing tunes, and it fitted the ambience perfectly. The staff were attentive without being intrusive, it all helped with the relaxed atmosphere. I was also pleased to see that there were plenty of waiters present, who actually seemed to know what they were doing. Then, when we were ready it was on to the Carvery. The selection available was excellent, beef, pork, chicken, fish and a vegetarian option (there was probably more), with all the extras. My wife chose the beef, however, this was slightly too well done for her, she prefers it rare, but it was very thickly sliced and there was plenty of it. I always have trouble choosing, so opted for the pork and the beef. Both cooked to my liking! The atmosphere was now warming up, a constant buzz of conversation, but the layout of the restaurant means that it never gets too noisy. The food was excellent, as expected. I have eaten a few times at Wychwood Park and the food is always of a very high standard. Now for dessert. This is where a lot of restaurants fall down, they wish to economise, not here, there were at least six choices, and I chose the toffee sponge, my wife the Baileys teardrop. Both were lovely, until I saw somebody eating the raspberry gateau and thought to myself, why didn’t I go for that? The musician had now changed from playing the saxophone to a flute, still very relaxing music and the conversation was still buzzing. We finished our dessert, and sat and chatted and relaxed, we were not rushed to leave, it was all very pleasant.

This was a well organised, well presented Jazz sunday lunch at wychwood park hotel. The music was subtle but excellent and it gave a warm relaxed atmosphere to the hotel. The children were made to feel welcome and staff were friendly and helpful. Highly recommended for quality dining.....