Lemon Tree Restaurant & Bistro

Located just over a mile from Junction 24 of the M5, the award-winning Lemon Tree Restaurant and Bistro is located within The Walnut Tree Hotel, just off the A38 in North Petherton. South of Bridgwater and not far from Taunton, it's a family-run 30- bedroomed hotel, tastefully modernised yet retaining the feel of a country house hotel. With ample parking and a secluded suntrap garden, the hotel is easily able to accommodate functions, conferences, parties and weddings for up to 100 guests. The restaurant and bistro are regularly used by locals - I'm told the weekly sizzling steak and succulent fish nights are very popular - and the reasonably priced menu offers a wide choice of sumptuous dishes. Wine connoisseurs will be pleased to find an extensive selection of wines from around the world. The modern bistro is ideal for a casual lunch or dinner with friends, while the restaurant, subtly decorated in soft pastel shades, provides more formal dining. Award-winning head chef Luke Nicholson and his team are kept busy creating dishes to tempt all tastebuds, using locally sourced produce wherever possible. The extensive, imaginative menus in both the restaurant and bistro are changed frequently, with daily specials making the most of seasonal produce and the catch of the day. The renowned Lemon Tree Restaurant is ideal for entertaining, celebrating or just enjoying a sumptuous treat, with a level of service, comfort and hospitality that perfectly complements the mouth-watering, freshly prepared food. To start we had English asparagus from the village, followed by monkfish medallions which were tender and full of flavour. For dessert the hot chocolate fondant with caramel hot chocolate and honeycomb ice cream was totally luscious. Our dining experience was topped off with a delicious liqueur coffee, concluding one of the most memorable meals we've enjoyed for a long time. Popular hot dishes in the bistro include the Oriental glazed belly pork and coriander stir-fry and the chef's pie of the day served with mashed potato and green vegetables. Hot and cold sandwiches, paninis, toasted sandwiches and delicious salads are also on the menu. A dessert such as apple and blueberry crumble with homemade custard, or raspberry creme brulée with homemade shortbread biscuit, will convince you to return to this delightful hotel and restaurant.