The Feathered Nest is located in the most idyllic village, Nether Westcote. We’ve been once before in winter, but it’s in summer when it really comes into its own. With completely uninterrupted views across the Evenlode Valley and a brilliant outdoor setup, with the current heat, it’d be very easy to mistake yourself for being in France.

By the end of the night, there wasn’t a free table outside. Impressively, they were offering both an eight-course tasting menu and an à la carte menu at the same time.

We started with a couple of cocktails. I went for the Lychee Martini (£16), which was absolutely gorgeous, dangerously not tasting very alcoholic whilst certainly not being shy on the spirits. We also ordered a classic Pimm’s, generously filled with fresh fruit and cucumber, which was incredibly refreshing and perfectly suited to such a warm evening. There was a decent selection of mocktails too. Rachel ordered the Bramble and Rosemary Fizz (£6, non-alcoholic). It tasted slightly medicinal and won’t be to everyone’s taste, but it could be a good option if you don’t enjoy sweeter mocktails.

For starters, we ordered the Chalk Stream Trout Ceviche, Isle of Wight tomatoes, basil, sourdough croutons and dashi (£16). This dish was a real highlight. The trout was absolutely delicious, so fresh and delicate, and beautifully paired with the other ingredients. The colours of the dish were beautiful; it was so refreshing and perfect for a summer evening.

The Cornish Crab Muffin, Cape Malay mayo, apple, tarragon and spiced brown crab (£16) was another beautifully presented starter. We enjoyed the texture of the crab with the apple, which gave it a good bite, but overall we felt the crab itself lacked flavour and we weren’t sold on the spicy mayo, which had a slight curry flavour. Still, the ingredients were clearly high quality and it was beautifully presented, but we probably wouldn’t order it again.

For mains, we ordered the Roasted Garden Beetroot (£29) with braised endive, ewe’s curd and beetroot and walnut vinaigrette. On paper it’s a lot of the same ingredient, but when you get a mouthful of everything together it’s really delicious, particularly with the crunchy walnuts. The ewe’s curd is delicate but deeply flavoursome alongside the warm beetroot. I think this would probably work better as a starter-sized dish, but it was still really lovely and paired well with the crispy potatoes.

The Pan Roasted Gurnard, grilled courgette, green olive and pine nut tapenade, anchovy, Parmesan and basil sauce (£36) was also beautifully presented. The fish was cooked perfectly, meaty and moist with a crisp skin, and the Parmesan and basil sauce was mellow and moreish.

We also ordered the grilled hispi cabbage with spiced yoghurt and pistachio. It didn’t quite wow us as a side, for us, the spiced yoghurt was a little overpowering.

For dessert, I ordered the 70% Valrhona Chocolate and Mint Gateaux with mint ice cream and cocoa nib tuile (£16). The mint ice cream was the star of the show. It was a vibrant green, made with fresh mint, and really cut through the gateaux, which was a little firmer than I was expecting. Despite looking ridiculously rich, it was surprisingly not too heavy, and the crunch of the tuile finished it off perfectly.

This is definitely a special occasion destination. It’s pricey, but the food is very high quality and beautifully presented. It’s the perfect spot for a celebratory meal or a date night where you want to linger over dinner and soak up the views. It’s no surprise they’ve retained their three AA Rosettes for more than six consecutive years.

During the evening, Ben Lee was playing country classics, which really added to the atmosphere. We witnessed a beautiful sunset and, as dusk set in, small lights were placed on the outdoor tables. Combined with the uninterrupted views across the Evenlode Valley, it made for a pretty magical setting and had all the ingredients for a memorable experience.

On a warm summer evening, don’t come expecting a quick dinner. This is somewhere to settle in for a leisurely evening, with equally leisurely service. We were there for several hours. We ended up chatting to two other couples dining nearby, one of whom told us it was their second night in a row there and insisted we absolutely must come back for the next BBQ. High praise indeed.

The pub is also dog friendly, with a water bowl provided for four-legged guests.

The Feathered Nest Inn

Nether Westcote, Chipping Norton, OX7 6SD

Bitten were invited as guests, all views are our own