As the first bluebells start to push their way up, and winter gradually let’s go its hold, I grab every chance I can get to eat or drink outside. There’s nothing (in my opinion) quite like a glass of wine enjoyed with the feel of sunshine on your face, and the smell of the first cut of grass. Which often leads me to a little corner of Sussex, just off Stane Street, the old Roman road, where you’ll find The Chequers Inn at Rowhook, near Horsham.
The Chequers is a favourite haunt for a number of reasons. They’re right on the edge of Roman Woods, with footpaths leading to Rudgwick, Warnham and Slinfold, and the Sussex Border Path is not far away. If you’re doing a mighty hike, it’s an excellent place for a break. They’ve got plenty of outside space including the front terrace, the sheltered, vine clad rear terrace and a large garden, and they’re dog friendly too which makes my hound happy. But perhaps most importantly, having eaten at The Chequers many times, they are consistently good. The menus have always got something indulgently tempting and their food is always first class.
What’s on the menu at The Chequers at the moment?
The style at The Chequers is described as a “contemporary take on classic British and French-inspired cuisine”. Starters include king prawns Piri Piri with toasted sourdough, risotto of chorizo and garden pea with parmesan and my personal favourite, baked goats cheese, purple fig and Serrano ham with honey mustard dressing.
There are some great classics on the mains menu that include Harvey’s beer battered fish and chips complete with mushy peas and lemon, a Moving Mountains vegan burger with onion marmalade and bavette steak. But on my latest visit, I was tempted by the tartlet of Sussex brie and leek with sauté new potatoes, buttered spinach, French beans and chive buttered sauce.
My companion went for smoked salmon and prawn salad with a Marie Rose sauce. And lashings of warm bread, of course. And I am afraid I am a sucker for cheesy chips.
They have a great wine list at The Chequers, and are always happy to recommend a good pairing. But tempted as I was by a bottle of Nyetimber’s Classic Cuvée, I opted for an Italian Pinot. It was lunchtime after all.
Despite being replete, it would not be polite to leave without a little dessert. Torn between a flat apple tart with caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream, mocha mousse with honeycomb, chocolate crumb and berries, and sticky toffee pudding amongst other treats, we plumped for homemade churros with bitter chocolate sauce, and we were not disappointed.
I always leave The Chequers feeling like I’ve had a little taste of luxury. This is feel-good food in a feel-good setting. And a place where you can happily hang out and watch the seasons morph from winter into spring, and then from spring into summer.
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