Church St Tavern, Colchester

Built as a savings bank in the late 19th century, and with a striking white stucco front, Church Street Tavern, just under the historic town’s landmark Victorian water tower ‘Jumbo’, gives the impression of being long established. In fact, it only opened two years ago but its polished feel might just be due to its owner not being new to the restaurant business. Piers Baker has run the Sun Inn on Dedham High Street for the past 14 years. It’s relaxed in atmosphere and style with plenty of art and vintage décor and young, knowledgeable staff and seasonal dishes including sea bass carpaccio, fennel, pomegranate, Clementine and dill mayonnaise or winter salad, Spello lentils, golden beetroot, radish, rocket, shallots, sherry and honey.

On March 17, leading wine whizz Matthew Jukes stops here on his nationwide 100 Best Australian Wines Roadshow where guests can sample up to 48 different wines and indulge in a two-course dinner.

* Tickets £60pp including tasting wines, dinner and a downloadable copy of the 100 Best Australian Wines Report. To book call 01206 564 325, churchstreettavern.co.uk