Sussex


<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/11/1-9-1000x667.jpg" alt="supper clubs" class="wp-image-71059" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/11/1-9-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/11/1-9-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/11/1-9-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/11/1-9.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-lowdown"><strong>THE LOWDOWN</strong></h3>



<p>In the day it’s a cosy hang out with delicious food and in the evening, its well, usually closed. That is of course until now. The Cowdray Farm Shop Café, Midhurst, seems to know exactly what us locals are in need of on a dark and blustery winter evening and that’s a delicious seasonal dinner with an exclusive focus on produce reared and grown on the <a href="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/cowdray-estate-midhurst/">Cowdray Estate</a>. You really can not get more local than that &#8211; the food has barely traveled a mile to get to your plate. Running from October to March, each event takes on a different theme and the menu is curated around one ingredient from the Cowdray Estate. Muddy missed the honey night sadly, but when the opportunity to try the version focused menu arose, we didn’t need to be asked twice. If you want to make a night of things and enjoy a few drinks, the charming lodges at the golf course are a two minute drive away and make for a cosy retreat. But lets focus on the most important thing first: the food.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-vibe"><strong>THE VIBE</strong></h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/11/2-10-1000x667.jpg" alt="supper clubs" class="wp-image-71060" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/11/2-10-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/11/2-10-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/11/2-10-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/11/2-10.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>In the pitch dark of winter and with the tail winds of Storm Bert sweeping over this side of West Sussex I was more than ready to tuck into something delicious and have a well deserved glass of red. It’s no surprise that it’s very dark on arrival -there’s no sign of the magnificent Cowdray Ruins famous for being the backdrop to the Cowdray Gold Cup polo, where Sophie Turner (who is dating heir to the estate, Peregrine Pearson) added even more glamour to proceedings this summer. Anyway, enough of the celebrity chat, but speaking of star power, the café is lit up with elegant twinkling lights and lots of Christmas trees &#8211; if I wasn’t already in the festive mood this would certainly make me. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/11/3-8-1000x667.jpg" alt="supper clubs" class="wp-image-71061" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/11/3-8-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/11/3-8-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/11/3-8-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/11/3-8.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>I was welcomed by two of my favourite things &#8211; a warm smile and a glass of fizz, a Sloe Fizz cocktail to be specific. Everything here has an understated luxury to it, even the decor, exposed brick, large windows, low level mood lighting and painted wooden tables. Things are buzzy with tables of couples and bigger groups but nothing to intimidate a solo diner as Muddy was on this occasion.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/11/4-7-1000x667.jpg" alt="supper clubs" class="wp-image-71062" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/11/4-7-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/11/4-7-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/11/4-7-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/11/4-7.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>As I tucked into some focaccia with café de Paris butter (the ratio of butter to bread 4:1 was perfect for Muddy), there was a brief introduction from the Estate Manager. It all felt light and fun as opposed to stuffy and formal while he explained about the three deer species on the estate which one we were having (fallow deer) as well as explaining how it had never left the estate. But lets see if this is reflected in the taste? Muddy sure hopes so! </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scoff-and-quaff"><strong>SCOFF AND QUAFF</strong></h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/11/5-7-1000x667.jpg" alt="supper clubs" class="wp-image-71063" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/11/5-7-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/11/5-7-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/11/5-7-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/11/5-7.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Considering one of my fellow diners is Cowdray’s Assistant Deer Manager (and we’ll be enjoying the fruits of his labour), I’ve confidence this is going to be good. The starter of venison carpaccio, red vein sorrel with a blackberry and juniper dressing arrived. This was beautifully presented and not too rich or heavy, it felt very much like fine dining just without any of the fuss. I ordered a glass of red &#8211; Primitivo to be specific, and was a little disappointed to see only one local wine featured on the menu, from Gusbourne in Kent, but then I reminded myself, it wasn’t really an English Sparkling kind of night. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/11/6-2-1000x667.jpg" alt="supper clubs" class="wp-image-71064" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/11/6-2-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/11/6-2-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/11/6-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/11/6-2.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>In between courses the team gently check in with diners and pause a little longer to chat to me as I’m dining alone. A very sophisticated gesture, while Muddy is a confident solo diner and traveler, it’s also appreciated when staff test the mood and share a little about the estate and engage in some light conversation.</p>



<p>Chatty gene activated, it was time to let the food do the talking. The main was pan seared venison loin, with a pistachio puree, parmesan spheres, buttered kale, fondant potato, and a red wine jus. Cooked to perfection is was tender and full of flavour, I really took my time as it’s a big meal and very tasty. The pistachio puree (not something I’d ever consider with venison) was incredible, lifting every flavour off the plate.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/11/7-3-1000x667.jpg" alt="supper clubs" class="wp-image-71065" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/11/7-3-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/11/7-3-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/11/7-3-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/11/7-3.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The pacing was perfect, I&#8217;m surprised they don’t do evening service all the time here as they’ve got things nailed to perfection. The desert of poached pear with a cardamon and vanilla crème fraîche, looked almost too pretty to eat &#8211; I said almost! Muddy managed to enjoy every last mouthful and there was a real boozy kick that I’m not complaining about. If you so wish, there’s an after dinner menu too of coffee and spirits, but I was ready for a camomile tea and to put my feet up at the little lodge for the night. </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stay"><strong>STAY</strong></h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/11/8-4-1000x667.jpg" alt="supper clubs" class="wp-image-71066" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/11/8-4-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/11/8-4-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/11/8-4-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/11/8-4.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Nothing quite beats being cosy (and smug) amid a storm in a little lodge with all the creature comforts &#8211; a giant bath tub, large TV and tea and biscuits while watching the wind and rain outside. Better still, at the Lodges on the Cowdray Golf Course you can look out over the ruins &#8211; that was quite the view to wake up to! I was more than happy to seek shelter from a storm here, you let yourself in using the easy to find key boxes after a code is emailed to you. I wasted no time in running a bubble bath, the low ceilings complete with dark wooded beams means a shower isn’t possible in cabin 4 where I stayed. The tub was really long &#8211; I couldn’t even reach the end with my toes &#8211; I’m sure a positive for the taller people out there. There’s a heated towel rail and gorgeously fluffy thick crisp white towels to wrap up in.</p>



<p>After dinner I kicked back onto the bed and watched some TV with a cup of tea. Sometimes the simplest evenings are the loveliest. The linen was also crisp and white, perfectly ironed and like the hug I needed after a hairy drive over. Can you tell Muddy is very particular about hotel beds? The next morning a little walk over to the Clubhouse and breakfast was served. A simple affair, but what more could you need? I had hot coffee, juice, yoghurt and then a veggie breakfast &#8211; after all the venison the previous night I needed a pause from more meat. I also got a great view of one of the huge Christmas Trees there. </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-out-and-about"><strong>OUT AND ABOUT</strong></h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/11/Untitled-design-1000x667.jpg" alt="supper clubs" class="wp-image-71055" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/11/Untitled-design-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/11/Untitled-design-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/11/Untitled-design-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/11/Untitled-design.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>You do not need to go far for the fun, you’re a two minute drive to the Muddy Award winning Cowdray Farm Shop with the café next door. When the weather allows, you’ll want to have a stroll around the ruins &#8211; built during the Tudor times, it’s a mansion with castle features and is very photogenic. If you’re staying a little longer you may want to head to one of the Cowdray events from stargazing to immersive Burlesque. There’s also clay-pigeon shooting, golf, fly fishing on the river Rother, walking, cycling, riding, polo playing and yoga all on the doorstep. </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-muddy-verdict"><strong>THE MUDDY VERDICT</strong></h3>



<p><strong>Good for: </strong>Anyone who values farm to fork dining and local produce. So pretty much everyone then! The lodges are modestly priced and include breakfast so you may as well make a night o fit.</p>



<p><strong>Not for:</strong> Fussy eaters, veggie options are available and also include ingredients from the estate but if you own’t want the set menu you will miss out here. </p>



<p><em>Cowdray Evening dining series, selected dates until 29 March 2025, £60 per person, see <a href="https://www.cowdray.co.uk/events/category/food-and-dining/">cowdray.co.uk</a></em></p>



<p><strong>READ MORE</strong>: <a href="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/local-farms-restaurants-farm-to-table-dinner/">Local farms offering delicious dining farm-to-table style</a><br><strong>READ MORE</strong>: <a href="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/winter-supper-clubs-local-farms-restaurants/">5 great winter supper clubs at local farms and vineyards</a><br><strong>READ MORE:</strong> <a href="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/travel/uk/self-catering/self-catered-house-cottage-sussex-cowdray-estate-review/">Muddy reviews Cowdray self-catered cottage: Challens Yarde</a></p>



<p><br></p>


Winter supper clubs! Review: Evening Dining Series at Cowdray Farm Shop Café

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