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Why stay at home this winter when you could be enjoying a warming Sunday lunch by a roaring fire at a cosy country pub, or indulging in continental-style fine dining at a top-notch restaurant?
A Rural Revival
Occupying an enviable spot with views over the North Downs, a change of ownership at Botley Hill Farmhouse has seen this gastropub become a local favourite.
Best For: a warm welcome for walkers and cyclists. After you've braved the elements on the local cycling and walking routes, stop into Botley Hill Farmhouse to warm up by the fire and enjoy a hearty meal. You can even bring your four-legged friends.
A Modern Classic
Blending fine French cooking with fresh British ingredients, Chez Vous keeps Warlingham's foodies coming back again and again to try the ever-changing menus, which are currently taking full advantage of the game season.
Best For: fantastic value menus. This December, try the 3 course Menu Du Jour at lunchtimes from Tuesday to Friday for only £17.95, and you'll be sure to return in January for the 5 course tasting menu.
Future Stars
Lakeside at Guildford's University of Surrey gives hospitality students an opportunity to hone their skills in a real restaurant environment under the guidance of the professional team.
Best For: tomorrow's stars today. Dining at the Lakeside is a glimpse into the future of food - you never know if your lunch might have been cooked by the next Jamie Oliver or Gordon Ramsay ...
Everyone's Welcome
In the picturesque village of Brook, between Godalming and Haslemere, you'll find the Dog and Pheasant serving up comforting seasonal dishes and cask ales from the local Hog's Back Brewery, amongst others.
Best For: families and furry friends. Children of all ages are welcome as are dogs, so you can make it a real family affair. With four open fires in the winter, it couldn't be a cosier place to while away a Sunday afternoon.
Flavours of France
No-one does winter comfort food quite like the French, so head to La Barbe in Reigate for seasonal delights like rich venison casserole and a continental take on festive roast turkey.
Best For: fine food with fine wine. The menu of classic Gallic dishes is matched by an extensive hand-picked selection of wines from France and beyond - even the most particular of wine buffs is certain to be impressed.
Home-Grown & Home-Made
The Parrot Inn at Forest Green is not only a pub and restaurant, but also has an on-site farm shop where you can buy produce used in the menus, such as meat reared on their own Home Farm.
Best For: seriously low food miles. The team at The Parrot Inn is very proud to produce almost everything they serve themselves - from home-cured bacon and freshly-baked bread to hand-raised pies and garden vegetables. A meal at The Parrot is a local feast in every sense.
Situated in the beautiful Limpsfield Chart, The Carpenters Arms is a popular destination for walkers and welcomes dogs, too.
Best For: locally-brewed beer. Thanks to its ties with the brewery, the Carpenters Arms always has at least four Westerham Brewery beers on tap, and even offers tasting trays of three samplers to help real ale fans discover new favourites.
Foodie Favourite
Well-loved TV chef Tony Tobin has headed up The Dining Room in Reigate for 20 years, and his relaxed fine dining concept is a firm favourite locally.
Best For: haute cuisine on the high street. Marrying the fine techniques of London's top restaurants with more casual fare takes real skill, and Tony's attention to detail and great value set menus are just a couple of the reasons The Dining Room is still going strong.
A Hidden Treasure
There's always a warm welcome at The Seven Stars in rural Leigh, where you'll find glowing log fires and freshly prepared, seasonal dishes to keep the wintry chills at bay.
Best For: properly-made pub classics. From handmade steak and ale pie to sumptuous Sunday roasts, you'll find everything you'd expect on a country pub menu, always fresh and made with locally-sourced ingredients where possible.
Indie Pub Grub
As Guildford's only independent gastropub, The Albany is the place to go for great value food that's anything but formulaic.
Best For: award-winning Sunday roasts. You can choose one, two or even three different meats if you just can't decide between beef sirloin, roast lamb, chicken supreme or the 8-hour confit pork belly with crispy skin ...
Locals' Favourite
Michael and his team at Kingston's Canbury Arms have been serving their community with great food for 10 years, and with daily specials and renowned classics it's not hard to see why.
Best For: great value lunches. You'll always find at least two £5 lunchtime specials on the board at the Canbury Arms, which is why savvy locals make a beeline to the pub for quick and delicious weekday lunches. Far better than any supermarket meal deal!
Feel-Good Food
Located inside HMP High Down in Sutton, The Clink Restaurant is a unique prospect - a charitable initiative that helps to rehabilitate offenders by training them in hospitality roles.
Best For: helping others. By choosing to dine at The Clink, you'll not only enjoy first-rate food produced under the guidance of chef Al Crisci, you'll also be helping inmates to turn their lives around. Many graduates of the scheme have gone on to work at top London restaurants.
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