Award: 2023 listing (one of only two in Warwickshire)
Awarded by: The Good Food Guide
The word: “There’s something reassuring about The Cross. This isn’t a kitchen that anxiously twists and turns classic combinations for the sake of it. Chef-director Adam Bennett – lauded by his peers as ‘a real chef’s chef’ – sets a professional tone at this much-loved pub/restaurant. It filters through the smart front-of-house team, so that eating here feels special. The shaded terrace with abundant flowering pots is a delightful spot for a summer lunch, but you can keep an eye on the past in one dining room, or sink into the traditional comfort of dark red button-back leather banquettes in another, if you prefer. With the three-course, a la carte menu costing £80 (a six-course tasting menu is £105), unexpected snacks are an appreciated touch. The notable wine list is arranged by grape and shows well-placed love for some favourites, but also encourages exploration.”