Restaurants in Rutland and Stamford
All we really want for Christmas is exceptional dining and a warm welcome… happily, Frazer & Emma King of West Deeping’s Red Lion are happy to oblige!
Christmas time is approaching and there’s always that awkward person to find a gift for. What do you give to someone who has everything? Frazer King, for example, has a sleigh-load of talent when it comes to creating brilliant food, a stocking full of the best local ingredients and a great team alongside him, not least among whom is Emma King and the couple’s two girls, aged seven and 11.
For a busy chef – busier still during the festive season – probably the greatest gift this season will be some time off, and that’s exactly what Frazer will be enjoying with the family on Christmas Day and Boxing Day when The Red Lion at West Deeping will close and Frazer will happily hand over the oven mitts to his father-in-law.
Before that though, Emma and right-hand-elf Susie will get the decorations down from the loft and make the already pretty-looking pub restaurant with its knobbly beams, flagstone floors and chunky fireplaces even prettier. They’ll be ably assisted with a large Baileys each, some Christmas songs and a tub of Quality Street, much to Frazer’s consternation, as he prefers Cadbury Heroes.
With the place looking all festive and the fires lit, the Red Lion will host its Steak & Wine evening on 19th November, with a meat-banquet format of long tables and heaving platters the likes of which have seldom been seen since the era of Henry VIII.
The Red Lion will also host Christmas carols around the tree on Thursday 18th December with a local big band and hand-bell ringers. Ever grateful for the village’s continuous support, Frazer and Emma also hold a party for villagers with a meal and – if the residents of West Deeping have been good – a visit from Santa to thank them for their support over the year. And then, when the couple open up again post-Christmas, New Year’s Eve will feature a 70s/80s DJ so locals can welcome in 2026. It’s a free event for anyone dining on New Year’s Eve. Be quick. Tables are limited.
It’ll mark the end of a busy – but very successful – year for the family. July saw the restaurant’s first (and an unannounced) visit by AA inspectors who awarded the place not just one, but two rosettes for the quality of the Red Lion’s dining.
The inspection may have been a surprise but the verdict shouldn’t be. Frazer and Emma arrived at the Red Lion in April 2021, having trained in London and having already gained a formidable reputation in his profession locally working at Clipsham’s Olive Branch, Stamford’s Paten & Co and at the hotel now known as The Barnsdale.
The building itself dates back to at least 1632 and is Grade II listed. In the summer there’s a terrace and a paddock to the rear of the pub with a kitchen garden comprising 12 beds heaving with herbs, heritage tomatoes and edible flowers. Near to the kitchen garden, Frazer and Emma’s girls have a nifty sideline in the form of their rare breed hens which provide plenty of fresh eggs.
In the winter, though, The Red Lion provides a really cosy feel with the restaurant featuring chunky farmhouse furniture, Hague Blue walls and the original pub sign on the wall. The bar, meanwhile, has wing chairs and church pews alongside tables for two and comfy places to sit by the wood burner.
At the bar is The Red Lion’s own Kings Pleasure ale, produced by Nene Valley, plus ales from breweries like Oakham’s Grainstore and gin from Multum Gin Parvo as well as other local producers. Clarkson’s Hawkstone ale and a decent wine list (curated in conjunction with Oundle’s Amps) will help to impart a bit of extra ho-ho-ho this month too.
Frazer and Emma favour local suppliers where quality, consistency and seasonality permits, with Grasmere Farm providing pork, Lavinton Lamb and Hambleton Bakery also contributing and with butchery and fish delivered fresh each day. Rennet & Rind of Stamford provide the restaurant’s cheese and on Wednesday 3rd December will see The Red Lion hosting its Christmas Cheese & Wine event with tastings and the opportunity to take home something to make your Christmas really enjoyable.
A festive menu throughout December will run alongside The Red Lion’s à la carte menu, providing a choice of four starters, four main courses and three puddings plus a cheese board option.
Frazer’s attention to detail across the whole menu elevates relaxed pub dining to something more akin to dining in a much pricier and much more formal restaurant.
For example, his lovely caramelised Beurre noisette served with warm sourdough is a perfect winter treat, and the pub shop sells charcuterie, honey, pickles, jams and bottled ales either prepared in house or sourced close to the village. Even ice creams, sorbets and speciality breads are made by Frazer or commissioned from locals such as Sam Reilly, The Rutland Chef, with whom Frazer has partnered to create Stilton ice cream.
After a starter such as gin-cured salmon, main courses include roasted pork belly, flavoured by fennel, mustard and cider, but stuffed turkey is also on the menu this month served with roasties, buttered greens and cranberry jus. For dessert, we’ll direct you towards a white chocolate posset with honeycomb and lemon shortbread or, if you’re more traditionally inclined, The Red Lion’s own Christmas pudding with Frazer’s cider brandy ice cream.
Whatever you choose from the menu though, this is a pub with a fantastic feel in winter and with lots of character, as well as genuinely exceptional attention to detail.
The Red Lion at West Deeping really is one of the most enjoyable places to dine in the area, worthy of its two-rosette rating, but even more worthy of its reputation among its visitors for offering a warm welcome.
The Pitch: “Local, fresh and sustainable food and drink with friendly-family service courtesy of Frazer & Emma King. Ingredients sourced within 30 miles where possible. Beautiful Grade II listed 17th century pub restaurant.”
Opening Hours: 12 noon to 11pm Wednesday to Saturday (kitchen 12 noon to 2.30, 5pm to 9pm) and Sunday 12 noon to 6pm (kitchen 12 noon to 3pm).
The Red Lion, King Street, West Deeping, PE6 9HP.
Call 07421 977661 or see www.theredlionwestdeeping.co.uk.