The grilled tuna steak with tomato, pepper and lime chutney. (David Hodge/ Stars and Stripes)
If you travel through the village of Worlington on your way to and from RAF Mildenhall or RAF Lakenheath, you probably have noticed The Walnut Tree.
I wasn’t sure about reviewing another pub, but a friend suggested I give it a go. I made reservations, and I have to admit, I will probably return when family comes to visit or for a special occasion.
The Walnut Tree offers its guests locally sourced, home-cooked, English-style food made from scratch by the owners, Colin and Dawn Bailey.
The first thing I noticed when I walked in was the calm and pleasant atmosphere. The front room featured a handful of tables, a small bar and a fireplace. In the next room, also with access to a bar, leather furniture sat nestled next to another fireplace. It’s like visiting a friend’s home for some food and drink, except the restaurant can serve up to 38 people at a time.
The Walnut Tree also offers restaurant seating in a conservatory area, but at the time of my visit, the area was closed because of cold weather.
My wife and I were there as soon as the doors opened and ordered our starters: Garlic-breaded mushrooms served with a garlic mayonnaise and vegetable soup with fresh-baked bread.
As we waited for our starters, I decided to try a beverage I haven’t tried before — a tradition when we are out enjoying ourselves.
I approached the bar and scoured the options; several of them I had never heard of. A patron suggested that I give the cider a try. I took his word and asked for the Aspall Suffolk Cyder, which I later found out has been produced in the county by the same family for eight generations.
After a nice chat with a local resident and a nice, crisp pint of cider, our main courses were almost ready. The Walnut Tree offers a regular menu with appetizers and main courses and also offers nightly specials.
We both chose a meal from the nightly menu. My wife decided on the spinach and ricotta cannelloni. I chose the grilled tuna steak with tomato, pepper and lime chutney. Both dishes came with the choice of new potatoes or hand-cut chips (french fries) and garden salad or fresh vegetables. Between the two of us, we had all four side dishes.
The taste was fantastic. The portions were larger than many similar-priced establishments. And the service came with a smile from Emma Baird, a waitress and bartender at The Walnut Tree for six years.
The Walnut Tree is called a free house, meaning the pub isn’t owned by the breweries that supply its beer. I prefer these when I am looking for a place to satisfy my thirst or appetite because many of the free houses are owned and operated by families.
Licensed pubs, the ones owned and supplied by breweries, tend to serve meals that are heated up from a box in the freezer, although that is not always the case.
Baird suggested that reservations be made a week or two in advance for weekends and about two days ahead for weekday visits.
Know a restaurant or entertainment spot you’d like to see reviewed in After Hours? E-mail John Taylor at taylorj@estripes.osd.mil.
Location: The Street, Worlington, Suffolk IP28 8RU.
Directions: From RAF Mildenhall, travel toward the town of Mildenhall and continue through the town’s High Street and out of the city limits on the B1102 for about 1½ miles. The B1102 is renamed The Street in the town of Worlington. The Walnut Tree sits at the corner of The Street and Newmarket Road. From RAF Lakenheath, exit through the back gate and travel toward RAF Mildenhall on Eriswell Road. Merge onto the B1101 and continue through Mildenhall’s High Street. Follow the B1101 into Worlington. The Walnut Tree will be on the corner of The Street and Newmarket Road.
Hours: Open noon to 2 p.m. for lunch and 6-9 p.m. for dinner Tuesday through Sunday. Closed Mondays.
Specialties: On its main menu, The Walnut Tree offers a range of steaks from the grill, grilled or pan-griddled fish and various dishes from the oven, including steak-and-ale pie and several lamb and chicken dishes. It also offers nightly specials.
Prices: Starters range from 4.5 to 7.25 pounds and main courses start at about 9 pounds.
Parties: The Walnut Tree can be booked for large or small parties with a 38-person limit. Co-owner Dawn Bailey said they also host wedding parties.
Phone: 01638-713-345
Web site: A Web site is in the works and should be up and running soon.