This month we’re rather cheekily advocating dining out of the county. Why? Because dining at Nottingham-based Hart’s Restaurant is an ideal  base for a city break, theatre break or a change of scene that’s not too far from Lincolnshire.

The restaurant is owned by Tim and Stefa Hart, whose other concern is also slightly shy of the county, situated in Rutland. Based on the Hambleton peninsula, Hambleton Hall provides exclusive dining in a sleepy and traditional location. Meanwhile, Hart’s offers a rather more contemporary experience based in the busy city of Nottingham,
an hour or thereabouts from much of Lincolnshire.

Adjacent to Hart’s Hotel on Park Row in Nottingham, Hart’s Restaurant and its upstairs function room, Hart’s Upstairs, provides sleek city dining that has seen the venue labelled the best restaurant in Nottingham on more than one occasion — not bad for a venue in a city with a population of more than 300,000.

There’s a thoroughly upmarket feel to the restaurant and no shortage of patronage, with a consistently full 90 seater main restaurant, and a separate private dining room for 14.

Head chef is Tom Earle, formerly of Claridges in London and Cunard’s cruise ships. Based at Hart’s since 2004, Tom is supported by Sally Martin who provides excellent front of house service.

The restaurant enjoyed a full refurbishment in January 2006 courtesy of Stefa Hart, and its dining room features bespoke soft furnishings such as Roman blinds to temper the huge amount of light through the large glass aspect that floods the dining room with sunshine. Colourful contemporary artwork, fresh flowers and crisp table linens further underline the upmarket feel of the venue.

“We’ve worked really hard to ensure exceptional modern British cuisine.” says Tom. “But we never sacrifice warmth for formality. It’s incredibly important to us that customers feel welcome and enjoy their dining experience. Upmarket dining should always be inclusive.”

The restaurant is open seven days a week, with lunchtime service from 12 noon to 2pm, and dinner service from 7pm - 10.30pm.

Lunchtime service is priced from £14.95 - £17.95 for two and three set courses respectively, with a choice of two starters, main courses and desserts.  À la carte lunchtime dining is also available.

During our visit, a Ham Hock Terrine starter preceded Braised Blade of Beef, the latter served with curly kale and mash.

Evening service sees a similar set dinner menu of £25 head for three courses, with two starters, main courses and desserts. Our recommendation, however, would be to enjoy the à la carte evening menu, with six starters, nine main courses and eight desserts. No fewer than six side orders of seasonal vegetables are also available to diners, and à la carte diners also enjoy an amuse bouche, and home made petit fours with coffee too.

A real highlight of the à la carte menu for us remains the seasonal salad. This is a variation of Hambleton Salad, as served at Hambleton Hall.

This was brilliantly presented with a quail’s egg and crouton, and is offered alongside Wild Mushroom Fricassée, Game Terrine and Smoked Haddock Risotto. All starters are served with the venue’s home made bread.

Our main course was a Fillet of Beef served with Bacon, Shallots and Potato Terrine, whilst other options during our visit were Breast of Wood Pigeon, Roast Duck Breast in Plum Sauce, and Roast Fallow Venison with Sweet Potato Gratin, Carrot and Rosemary Purée.

And so to desserts; Hart’s Fresh Fruit Salad is a bright and vibrant permanent fixture on the menu, whilst Chocolate Brownie, Apple Tarte Tartin — a two-person dessert — and Gewürztraminer Mousse with Cassis Poached Pear are tempting alternatives. Also available is a selection of English and Continental cheeses and a selection of home made sorbets.

Owner Tim Hart is a terrific wine buff, and has personally seen to the creation of a wine list with vibrant editorial descriptions comprising no fewer than 25 whites, and 28 reds. Also available are three dessert wines, as are two ports and 11 champagnes, with a 2000 Dom Perignon a reasonable £135, proving the restaurant’s commitment to minimal markups. The restaurant also hosts regular tutored wine tasting evenings with supper.

After dining, Nottingham offers myriad venues for live music and theatre, but Hart’s Theatre Packages are an easy way to enjoy an entertaining  city break.

On 7th and 8th July, Theatre Royal hosts Calendar Girls, with packages including pre-theatre dinner, tickets and an overnight stay at Hart’s Hotel with breakfast the following morning. At £117.50 per person that’s exceptional value, and if Calendar Girls doesn’t appeal, the West End Version of The Sound of Music reaches Nottingham a little later in the month, with Jools Holland offered by the venue later in the year.

Elsewhere, Nottingham boasts the Playhouse, Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham Arena as well as shopping at the Victoria Centre and Westfield Broadmarsh.

“There are so many reasons to enjoy a weekend break in Nottingham.” says April Fawcett of Hart’s. “It’s a superb, vibrant city, and to have a restaurant serving the quality of food you’d normally only expect in the centre of London is impressive to say the least.”

With major live shows & musicals and superb quality dining so close to Lincolnshire, we this month recommend not just a trip to Hart’s but a weekend break to Nottingham, in order to rediscover one of the UK’s most vibrant cities.