"We were warmly welcomed by the staff in a beautiful converted barn lounge, where we didn't feel out of place despite not being guests at the restaurant. My favorite gin, Tanqueray 10, was served with a slice of grapefruit instead of the usual lime or lemon, a small but thoughtful detail that set the tone for the rest of our dining experience. Our menu card had our surname, we were seated in a quiet corner as requested, and the staff were friendly and approachable. The main dining hall had a medieval or baronial feel with unique features like dovecote holes in the stone walls and tapestries hanging. We opted for the 6 course tasting menu with a wine flight, while my wife stuck to water as the designated driver. Each course was exceptional and well paired with the wines, with the waiters providing detailed explanations. Despite spending £200, we felt that the experience was worth it for the high-quality food, service, and atmosphere. We have dined at fine restaurants in Cambridge and London, but believe that Old Downton deserves more recognition for its excellent offerings. Two minor suggestions for improvement were the background music in the dining hall, which didn't quite fit the medieval theme, and the decaf coffees at the end of the meal, which didn't meet the high standards set by the rest of the evening. Overall, our experience at Old Downton was fantastic."
