Many people will have zoomed along the A47 from Leicester or Peterborough without realising that just a few yards off it lies this lovely, relaxed food pub.

I was certainly guilty of that but when reader recommendations came in praising the warm welcome and high standards, I made a diversion to eat here and immediately added it to the mental list of east Leicestershire places worth a visit.

Decor is a good balance between clean modern lines and a bit of cosy rural tradition. Likewise the menu balances high quality pub favourites with a la carte and specials-board dishes that offer a bit more ambition. Our fish and chips was as good as we’ve encountered away from the seaside – fresh haddock was in a delightfully thin, light but crispy beer batter next to first-rate hand-cut fat chips and plenty of mushy peas and tartare. On an evening visit we’d have been tempted by the likes of red snapper with tempura scallops and asparagus, or a salad of peppered beef fillet with Stilton.

The welcome was indeed as friendly as you could wish for and staff were relaxed, skilled and helpful. There’s a refreshing lightness of touch about The Fox and Hounds – proper but unpretentious food in a village local.

By Tim Burke, Leicestershire editor

Photos: Fox & Hounds website / Leicester Photo Limited