Noble Rot Restaurant - A place to hunker down come autumn

Although I visited Noble Rot mid August it was on one of those rainy, dull days that we've seen far too many of this month.

The venue is dark and welcoming with twinkling candles on the tables and intimate little corners to talk the night away in. Having said that the exposed floor and wooden tables and chairs mean there is little to absorb sound - so I would imagine at full capacity it would be a noisy joint. But with wine flowing from the extensive list on offer I don't think you'd mind. The wine bar gives way to a restaurant in the back revealed behind a curtain ( I love a curtained entrance)

The menu is brief but interesting and straight away I know I am having the slipsole and smoked butter to start. Anything fishy and smoked gets my vote.

It's stunning in it's simplicity. The delicate fish flakes away with ease and the smokey paprika butter is delicious. 'I'd eat this every morning for breakfast if I could' I say to Rob. I don't really know why breakfast but I could totally get on board with a runny poached egg on top!

Rob had oysters, fresh and presented beautifully.

For mains I went for the Turbot as it's one of my favourites. Although the piece of fish was of good quality it was a disappointing choice. Vague and brothy in flavour and the potatos were a bit hard which is criminal at £28 price tag. I know I know, I should have said something, should have sent it back but I wasn't in the mood to have that kind of experience.

Rob's guinea-fowl on the other hand was excellent. And yes I was jealous. Beautifully cooked breast and leg were presented with a scattering of sweetcorn and giroles. I had more than one mouthful just to be sure it was as tasty as I first thought.

We drank 3 different glasses of wine each, preferring to go for the 'by the glass' option on our first visit. There is no doubt that is a place that knows it's wine and is proud of it's dense offering, the list is pages long! The staff seemed knowledgeable with selections, which is important with such a big choice.

For dessert I went for the french cheese plate because if the cheese on a menu is French frankly it's rude not to partake.

I get that this place is all for stripped back dining but I like something else with my cheese other than just crackers! So I asked for a portion of cornichons I'd seen garnishing someone else's starter.

All three cheeses were beautifully ripe and room temperature. As I sipped my silky red Cote du Rhone and looked around the room at all the contented, slightly squiffy diners I thought I'll be back here as the nights draw in, for more of the same.