Jacoby's - Ware

Reckoned to be the second oldest building in Ware, Churchgate House dates back to the sixteenth century and, since then, has done duty as a pub, bakery, maltings and - more recently - a motorcycle repair shop. After a major revamp in 2002, it re-opened in grand style as Jacoby's - a sophisticated brasserie-style restaurant and bar complete with an impressive staircase and glass atrium.

'Beginnings' on the full menu might include colourful ideas like crispy tiger prawns with beetroot hummus and tomato salsa or seared scallops on warm asparagus with chive butter sauce, while main courses venture out into the realms of crusted fillet of sea bass with wilted spinach and lemongrass or corn-fed chicken filled with Mozzarella and sun-dried tomato with pesto mash and saffron sauce. Beer-battered cod and grilled calf's liver are simpler options, while desserts might range from white chocolate crème brûlée with a sesame seed biscuit to sticky toffee pudding with toffee sauce.

A lighter Terrace Menu is served in the bar or al fresco, where mainstays like antipasti, ciabattas, burgers and salads are backed up with puddings from the restaurant.