Queans Restaurant - Leamington Spa

Chef/proprietor Laura Hamilton has been part of the Warwickshire restaurant scene for more than two decades, and still finds time to undertake cookery demonstrations at local food festivals as well as running the show at Queans.

There's a delightful intimacy about eating here, and meals run at a leisurely pace thanks to refreshingly congenial service. Menus vary with the seasons, but you might begin with roasted yellow pepper and spring onion tart or filo parcels filled with king prawns and salmon mousse, ahead of grilled whole black bream with coriander dressing or breast of pheasant in whisky and caramelised onion gravy with wilted spinach and Puy lentils.

To finish, don't miss sampling one of Laura's renowned homemade ice creams with fresh-baked cookies - there are sixteen different varieties to choose from. A dozen quaffable wines by the glass head the concise, well-chosen list.