Beautiful setting, good service but only average food

We visited the St Helena for our wedding anniversary after a recommendation - and first impressions were excellent.

The restaurant is in a beautiful house and it feels very warm and cosy as you enter through the lovely grounds (past the restaurant dogs)

The interior was lovely, really what you'd hope for and expect in a fine dining restaurant

I had high hopes at this point.

The staff were excellent, friendly, efficient and welcoming.

The food arriving was the only real let down of this restaurant - but its a pretty big let down.

It wasn't dreadful, it wasn't even what I'd call bad, but it was just ordinary which was such a shame as all the other elements came together beautifully.

There was nothing that really sparkled in the dishes we had, it was all good, solid grub - but none of the dishes you'd remember, talk about later or yearn for again - it was simply 'OK'.

It felt like they had all the ingredients for a Michelin star quality restaurant in place, but just hadn't quite got enough flair or panache in the kitchen.

What a shame.

That said, its reasonably priced, is a really quaint place and the service was great, so I wouldn't say don't go - but just be aware that the food isn't the main pull.