The Black Horse, Ireland (Bedfordshire)

The Black Horse in Ireland, all foodies in Bedfordshire will know it as an impeccable restaurant and pub set in the heart of the Bedfordshire countryside. We have been here many times and the reason we keep coming back? The two ingredients needed in any good restaurant; well cooked fresh food and good service. 

The Black Horse really ticks both boxes. The friendly welcoming staff that recognise a birthday with a card and special message with dessert. They will recommend a wine to suit your course and happily change the ingredients to suit your party's sometimes finicky requirements. 

The ingredients are sourced locally where possible and you can still taste the crispness of the summer greens by the time they're on your plate. On our latest visit I opted for the pork belly with amongst other things, black pudding. Before you reel with disgust at the thought of congealed pigs blood, this flavoursome black pudding was fresh, earthy and some of the best I've had. Accompanied by an exquisitely cooked potato cake, a spiced bramley apple sauce, a rather hearty gravy and of course the moist, tender, locally reared pork. 

If you like good food but not the pretentious atmosphere nor hefty price tag that usually comes with it, The Black Horse is certainly worth a try. Oh - especially in the summer, as it provides a welcomed pit stop to any weekends country drive.