Asian-inspired seafood thrills

This 300-year-old thatched pub, in the village of Burton Bradstock on Dorset’s Jurassic Coast, exudes charm and won Best Newcomer at the Trencherman’s Awards 2022 for its refreshingly
unpretentious environment.

Husband-and-wife team Jaap and Hannah Schep met while working for the Marriott group and now delight diners with their own offering. A good proportion of the menu majors on local fish, with Dutch-born chef Jaap especially fond of Pan‑Asian flavour profiles: Indonesian seafood curry and tiger-prawn pad thai sit comfortably alongside more British-leaning pub dishes like the seafood ploughman’s.

Not to be overlooked is the exciting list of bar snacks which, in quantity, could kick plans for a starter, main and pud into touch. Who wouldn’t enjoy working their way through small plates of Dutch bitterballen (beef croquettes), Poole Bay oysters, and tempura pork fillet bao bun with peanut and cucumber salad and fiery sriracha mayo?

The list of by-the-bottle wines has recently doubled while the number available by the glass has also increased, and includes many English sparkling wines and intriguing international drops.

Trencherman’s tip: The refurbished garden offers an à la carte menu with full table service, so alfresco diners can receive the same relaxing experience and excellent food as those indoors.