Before you start reading, find a comfy sofa to sit and grab a cup of deliciously thick hot chocolate. This Jane Austen kind of atmosphere deserves your complete comfort and a cosy atmosphere.
We are in Brokenhurst, less than two hours train from London, in the English countryside near New Forest. Here you’ll find a country residence with a unique name: The Pig.
The Pig seems the set of some romantic movie. In front of the beautiful building and around the green fields around you’d expect some lady in some 18th century gown and gloves.
Everything in this place seems to suggest: relax. Forget work, hurry and worries and just chill by the fireplace with a good book.
The Pig is a hotel and a restaurant that serves a seasonal menu from the kitchen garden straight to the table. All the rest of the food is still sourced locally, at a distance of no more than 25 miles from Brokenhurst. Impressive, isn’t it?
Walking around the hotel is a peaceful, mindful experience. The only worry is wearing the right shoes, but as they have a selection of Wellies available for the guests any country walk is possible.
The cottages are amazingly comfortable and beautiful. I can already picture myself here for a couple of days with my family, or with some good friends. Waking up in the country fog, waiting for the sun to shine with a hot cup of coffee, wearing comfy clothes and a tartan scarf and just explore around. It would make an unforgettable memory.
And just when I thought things couldn’t get better… I stepped into the restaurant.
This place! The natural light of a winter garden mixes with the warm glow of the candles, and the superbe country decor makes this place one the most cozy and beautiful I’ve ever seen.
The menu was absolutely amazing. As said, it was completely locally sourced and we could see on a map on the back of the menu where all the ingredients came from (usually from the kitchen garden or a hop and a skip from The Pig). The plates are rich, intense, flavoury yet perfectly balanced. I sat at the table where an appetiser was awaiting us with that ‘Christmas-lunch’ happy feeling.
After some great Scotch Eggs, Sausage Rolls and Saddleback Cracklings with Apple Sauce, I chose some no less than divine Roasted Artichokes and a delicious Pork Fillet with veggies. Nibbling also on some fried ‘Tobacco Onions’ on the table. And the best part came with the dessert:
Among my favourites: the ultra decadent Dark Chocolate and Garden Thyme mousse and the Charred Garden Pears with Salted Caramel ice cream. Just perfect.
After such a special lunch the best way to spend the afternoon is to walk around the woods until it gets dark, then snuggling up with a blanket in front of the fireplace, in the mood for hugs and mulled wine!
I was a guest of The Pig. Opinions are my own.
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