By Appointment


César award in 1999


Review


With 'bags of character', this restaurant-with-rooms is spread through a labyrinth of rooms in three 15th-century merchants' dwellings in the centre of Norwich. Guests arrive by a side gate that leads into the kitchen. Inspectors 'were greeted by a chef who carried our bags to our room and brought us a tray of tea'. The owner Robert Culyer (Timothy Brown has retired) is 'the main presence, cooking and serving breakfast and presiding over dinner like an impresario'. Twisting staircases lead to the bedrooms: 'Ours, Queen Elizabeth, in the eaves, was gloriously furnished with antiques and artefacts, sheets and blankets on the bed, a proper dressing table, masses of pictures and curios. The spacious bathroom had a claw-footed bath and separate power shower.' The Queen Consort is 'a delightful room with high ceilings, two huge chandeliers and a coal fire'. In the 'exotic' dining rooms, 'Robert recites the menu, part of the operatic experience'. The chef, Ellery Powell, joined in late 2008. 'His cooking is excellent: good ingredients, well presented; robust sauces, a delicious selection of roasted winter vegetables.' Breakfast, ordered before dinner, 'is as good; leaf tea in a silver pot, four home-made jams, croissants and good breads; generous cooked dishes'.




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Contact Details

By Appointment

25-29 St George's Street
NORWICH
Norfolk
NR3 1AB
England

Telephone
01603 630730

Website
www.byappointmentnorwich.co.uk

Further information


Bedrooms: 5.
Open: all year except 25 Dec/1 Jan, restaurant closed midday, and Sun and Mon evenings.
Facilities: 2 lounges, restaurant, small courtyard, unsuitable for disabled.
Background music: classical/jazz in restaurant.
Smoking: not allowed.
Children: not under 12.
Dogs: not allowed.
Credit Cards: MasterCard, Visa.
Prices: B&B £60-£80 per person, full alc £40.



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