Readers’ restaurants

Modern British in East Anglia
  
  


152
152 High Street, Aldeburgh, Suffolk, 01728 454594

With silver darlings, a local name for herrings, on the specials board, it's no surprise that other choices include local rib of beef and slow-roasted belly pork. This fine British fare has some support from the continent in seafood broch-ette and duck leg confit with a rich jus, but all is delicious. Wooden floors and tables, plain walls with a branch of driftwood where the stag's antlers might be. Ingredients are carefully chosen, cooked and presented, and pleasing to both eye and tastebuds.
Barbara Langley
Bramfield, Suffolk

Bentleys
75 Fore Hamlet, Ipswich, Suffolk, 01473 231177

The relaxed atmosphere of a fine gentleman's club and the cuisine of a top restaurant combine to make this a very special dining experience near the Ipswich waterfront. The chef has created an extensive menu using the finest local ingredients to reflect the best of English cooking, particularly meat and fish. The dessert list, too, offers a range of traditional fare, and there is a good choice of dessert wines and port. Portion sizes are just right and, given the sensible pricing, represent really good value.
Melissa Purnell
Trimley St Martin, Suffolk

Adlard's
79 Upper St Giles Street, Norwich, 01603 633522

My home town, Ipswich, doesn't really figure in the modern British category, so I regularly make the 90-mile round trip to Norwich. It's worth it: this restaurant, which has had a Michelin star since 1986, is outstanding in every respect, from a small, perfectly formed menu to seasonal, top-quality, local ingredients. There's a fine wine list, too, and service is measured, allowing you time to appreciate your food. It bears the mark of a proprietor with integrity who cares more about art than profit.
Claire Fellstrom
Ipswich

Weavers Wine Bar and Eating House
Market Hill, Diss, Norfolk, 01379 642411

We're bowled over by chef-owner William Bavin's inspired cooking, which opens up the potential of Norfolk's best, whether he's imaginatively exploring facets of a single ingredient (cold set crab custard with white crab rillettes) or combining tastes with breathtaking chutzpah (pork with balsamic fruit compote, mascarpone and vanilla mint sauce). His partner, Katrina, provides the kind of service that remembers I don't like lemon in my water. A three-course set meal is £17.95.
Virginia Alexander
Garboldisham, Norfolk

The Chalice
28-29 Cannon Street, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, 01284 700200

Once a popular vegetarian run by hippies; now they have departed, you can get fish and meat dishes, too. The menu of sophisticated home cooking changes on a monthly basis, to reflect what is good at the time of year, and wherever possible supplies are bought locally. The wine list represents great value, though if you prefer beer the staff are more than happy to fetch a jug from the micro-brewery next door.
Claire Frank
Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk

· Send us a 100-word review of a favourite restaurant. This month, we're looking for the top Italian restaurant in Wales, the best place for alfresco dining in the West Country and the London Chinese that beats all the rest. The best reviews will be published here. Write to Weekend, 119 Farringdon Road, London EC1R 3ER (restaurants@ theguardian.com). Reviews must be accompanied by a postal address and daytime telephone number.

 

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