The Peacock at Rowsley

3 of the eight dishes on the Tasting menu were easily Michelin 1 Star standard. The service by a young, confident and engaging staff was exemplary throughout. Our hotel room was just lovely with nice, classy touches at every turn. Highly recommended.

We visiting the Peacock both to stay and to dine over nearly five decades. Under the ownership of Haddon Hall, and the terrific kitchen and front of house staff, the food was, in the words of the late food critic Michael Winner, Historic! An evcer changing choice menu cooked to better than Michelin star levels and with a great alternative bar menu of much better than average pub grub. Since being taken over, some changes have occurred and, sadly, not all quite for the better. The place has been given a very sympathetic makeover and the loyal staff are as warmly welcoming and wonderful as ever with nothing being too much trouble. In the tastefully redecorated restaurant the ambience is great although the over-music maybe a touch too loud at times. The menu has seen some changes. To start with, the bar choices have completely gone which has ruled out a host of deliciously well priced meals popular with many. The three or six course menu still offers choices with the single concession of a steak replacing the former bar choices. Having dined a few times since the change-over, it would seem that the choices are more fixed now which offers less variety to those choosing to stay for a few nights. One outstanding feature of the Peacock meals in the past has always been the amazing and greatly varied canapes presented free (obviously costed into the whole meal)with our pre-dinner drinks. Stupendous variety, flavour and creativity that merited an outstanding award on their own! Now, one has to choose these at an extra £5.00 each and we are not so sure if the chef's have been told to keep it simpler and probably cheaper. Bread is now a single offering of two slices of treacle or sourdough only per two diners. The wine list is OK. Different to the previous list and some favourite but more unusual wines are no longer available (such as delicious plum Saki so good as a lighter port alternative with after dinner cheese). The once terrific choice of cheese menu is no more and guests are presented with three or four, take it or leave it, cheeses After dinner drinks are also a bit odd. No Irish Whisky or choice of Grappas as in the old days and if you want brandy it's either cheap Spanish stuff or very a dear cognac at £37.00 a shot. Would we go again? Certainly, but maybe less often to stay or dine as a couple of nights stay more or less exhausted our food preferences on this menu which is likely to be in place over a longer period. Dining at the Peacock seems to have become more corporate management instructed than individually and fantastically creative. We know it's difficult times for the industry but surely it is better to reach for the stars than just sink into the average. The Peacock, after all, has a brilliant and unsurpassed plumage!!

Exactly what I wanted, what I have expected hearing from my family who have stayed there previously so it was great to have a relaxing time with great service and food