Rutland has two of the best gastropubs in the country!

Estrella Damm has announced its annual Top 50 Gastropub Awards, which features the best pub cooking in the country.

Regular award winner The Olive Branch at Clipsham came in at number 25, two places higher than last year.

Its near neighbour, The Wheatsheaf in Greetham, was a new entry and came in at 46.

The judges said of the Olive Branch that opened in 1999: "The kitchen is overseen by chef and owner Sean Hope, who seeks out new local produce to inspire the kitchen team and develop new dishes.

"Dishes – which change on a daily basis – starting with the first course, have included curried cauliflower and borage honey soup, truffle and Parmesan; heritage beetroot, smoked goats' cheese, fresh cream, dill and apple marigold; and chicken liver parfait, morello cherry and Hambleton sourdough.

"Mains have included winter truffle risotto, mascarpone, crispy onion and parsnip; roast Scottish cod, charred broccoli, ratte potato, mussels and sea herbs; and roast local pheasant, red cabbage, wild mushrooms, kale, potato, croquette and red wine sauce.

"Desserts include salted caramel fondant, seed crumb and chocolate orange ice cream; sweet parsnip ice cream, crispy yogurt, mint oil and mulled wine; and garden pea cream, coconut sorbet and mint and white chocolate ice cream."

For the Grade II listed Wheatsheaf, run by head chef Carol and Scott Craddock for more than a decade, judges said making its Top50 Gastropub debut was long overdue.

They commented: "Having initially based their careers in London, the owners moved north after meeting while studying catering and hotel management, bringing experience at the Dorchester – where Scott won waiter of the year the same year that Marcus Wareing won chef of the year – in tow.

"And having set high standards in service and sustenance since March 2008, they've certainly reaped what they've sown at the Wheatsheaf.

"Since taking on the stone-built inn in the Rutland countryside village of Greetham, the "charming" Craddocks – Michelin's words – have created a "simple, family-friendly country pub" featuring an "unfussy and traditional menu which counts home-made bread and chargrilled bavette steak among its highlights.

"The Independent goes as far as to say: "you can't beat the menu for locally-sourced, sustainable produce" while Hardens adds that the busy neighbourhood pub-restaurant has become "an institution", reserving high praise for its "surprisingly extensive" fish menu given its land-locked location."

"Guests, however, will be less surprised to hear that there's a selection of wines from around the world and an excellent range of beers and local cask ales to wash down the Wheatsheaf's award-winning fare."

Recently, the Olive Branch was declared Pub of the Year 2021, as reported by Nub News.

The pub said on Facebook following its latest award: "So proud of what the team have achieved over the last 12 months quite incredible. "