The Crown Inn, in Upton, recognised in Michelin Guide

The Crown Inn, in Upton, which prides itself in being an award-winning traditional, rural pub come restaurant, has been acknowledged in the latest guide.

Chef and owner Dave Watts, who trained to the highest standard with Raymond Blanc and Gary Jones at Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons, and his team are delighted with the entry. 

The guide is known the world over for naming the best dining experiences promising great food, drink and ambience.

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Writing about The Crown Inn, the book says: “This welcoming pub is nestled amidst narrow lanes and lush farmland. Find a seat in the open-fired bar, the airy conservatory or out on the terrace, and enjoy colourful, eye-catching dishes where ingredients from small local producers steal the show. You can also dine privately in a firelit wooden igloo.”

The menus change regularly and The Plats du Jour menu includes delights such as Dave's own Parsonage Farm home-cured floured meats and pickles, smoked haddock and pearl barley risotto, baked Roscoff onion, soubise and potato, beef fillet, pastrami, mushroom variations and scorched radicchio and to finish, poached rhubarb, raspberry sorbet, baked Skyr and fennel - real favourites but with Dave's unusual twists.

All menus have Dave’s trademark creativity and thoughtfulness and use of local produce wherever possible, supporting smaller businesses which care about animal welfare and sustainability. 

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Dave and the team are also celebrating a great write-up in this year's Good Food Guide with comments like “a little bit of magic can happen when a traditional country pub is taken over by an experienced and driven chef”.

The Crown made it into this year's final round of Trencherman's Awards - the most highly coveted scheme rewarding the best chefs, food, and guest experience in the area and was a finalist in the Muddy Stilettos award scheme.