Lincolnshire, French Restaurant Guide

“Set in a very atmospheric old building on Steep Hill” – the second oldest house in the country, circa 1170, according to Historic England – you’ll find what is by many accounts the “best fine-dining restaurant in Lincoln”. “Excellent food and service” are provided by Gavin Aitkenhead, chef-patron for almost 20 years, and FOH manager Samantha Tomkins.

“Exceptional” cuisine is still the norm in feedback on Harry & Caroline Hallam’s quirky, 10-seat venture, which has survived for over 30 years in the front room of their Georgian house, with Caroline front of house and Harry in the kitchen. That said, reports are not as plentiful as once they were, and the times when it had a Michelin Star (until about 2010) now seem a distant memory. Perhaps, despite its ongoing quality, people are just more used to the idea of pop-ups and supper clubs than once they were?