Osip

"Osip has moved out of Bruton about ten minutes down the road in the middle of the country side. We came for sunday lunch about a week into opening. I have to say for the quality of cooking it is fantastic value. The flavours pop and wow and it is the vegetables and foraged herbs that are the stars. We had the set menu at £95 which is actually around eight courses in total with the option of adding some of the 'old favorite' dishes such as a game pitvier and the squid, pigs head and black truffle which was totally amazing. For me the star was the beetroot taco with salted egg yoke, the flavours just incredible. You come away content, the courses are not too heavy. Another stand out the meadowsweet icecream, so unusual and the most fabulous texture. The restaurant itself is set like a theatre and we the watching and eating guests. As the sun set it was a chiaroscuro performance to admire. The service was a bit cranky but it was early days when we went. Also thought the room you Sit in on arrival for a cocktail and exquisit local Westcombe charcuterie could be a bit more welcoming and cosy, we arrived on a very wet and thundery lunchtime. Thoroughly enjoyed the experience, such a treat, Merlin is a true master in the kitchen."

"Merlin is just a magician with plants - so innovative and imaginative - a tasting experience like nowhere else - as a staunch meat eater it’s the only place which almost makes me wish there wasn’t a meat course ! Stand out dishes - oyster mushroom with leek mayonnaise and the pre/dessert of sorrel ice cream with very slightly salted soft meringue and delicate spring rhubarb ! Keep up the good work ."