Hammer & Pincers

Our Inspector's view

These days a charming restaurant-with-rooms, Hammer & Pincers occupies what was once the village forge. Situated in the beautiful countryside between Loughborough and Melton Mowbray, the venue retains a rustic charm with exposed beams, midnight blue walls, comfortable leather seats and marble and wood tables. Abstract and flower-inspired artworks throughout bring added colour and texture. It all makes for a pleasant experience, enhanced by switched-on and knowledgeable service, with chefs also delivering dishes to tables with full descriptions. There is an Asian twist to the modern British dishes, which are precisely executed with well-defined flavours and textures. Depending on when you visit, there is a range of menus to choose from, including grazing and set-menu options. Whichever route you follow, sourcing of top-class ingredients is evident throughout a meal, which might start with Peak District beef rib tartare, oyster emulsion, pickled mustard seed, radish and stout vinegar mignonette, or perhaps grilled Cornish monkfish tail with pumpkin seed satay, butternut squash som tam and burnt lime. A fresh and vibrant palate cleanser of cucumber, apple and dill sorbet with crunchy cucumber dices, dill oil and powder and whipped yoghurt is a bridge to main courses. There could be roasted loin of Norwegian Skrei cod, Roscoff onion, wild alliums, confit garlic pomme purée and smoked butter, or Creedy Carver Peking duckling - spice roasted crown, duck faggot and duck liver bao - with confit beetroot and blackcurrants. For vegetarians, a Japanese miso-roasted aubergine and nori seaweed terrine, roasted cauliflower, blackcurrant ponzu and sesame is a flavour-packed alternative. To finish, try the rich and indulgent forced Yorkshire rhubarb and vanilla custard tart, rose poached rhubarb, diplomat cream and rhubarb sorbet, or perhaps the Indian Alfonso mango yoghurt kulfi with honey spiced rum baba, mango compote and coriander.

Awards, accolades and Welcome Schemes

3 Rosette Award for Culinary Excellence