- A feature from the December 2017 issue of Suffolk Norfolk Life magazine
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- Food, Reviews
By Steven Braithwaite
It takes many good deeds to build a good reputation, and only one bad one to lose it – Benjamin Franklin
Although spoken with regard to the reputation of an individual, Franklin’s quote can certainly be applied to businesses—especially those that operate in the catering and hospitality industries. Throughout my life in Suffolk I cannot recall a bad word said, or a negative review given of the Fox and Goose in Fressingfield, so when the opportunity arose to join my good friend Greg for an evening there, I couldn’t wait to discover the reasons behind their well established and rock-solid reputation.
Fressingfield is situated in North Suffolk, around 5 miles south of the Norfolk border, and the Fox and Goose is housed in a Grade II* former guild hall whose origins date back as far as 1509. The venue has been owned and run by Paul and Sarah for over 15 years, who have garnished the aforementioned reputation with the recognition of 2 rosettes from the AA and inclusion in the Michelin and Harden’s food guides.
Split between the downstairs pub and the upstairs restaurant, each with its own menu, the Fox and Goose offers dining choices to suit all tastes and occasions — we would be eating in the restaurant and choosing from the Table d’hôte menu. On arrival it was clear that staff maintain an attentive but unintrusive ethos, allowing your group’s conversation to flow without feeling that you have been forgotten. Likewise, it appears that a conscious decision to forego the frills and fineries with regard to décor has been made, presenting a somewhat homely, “what you see is what you get” style of dining which may or may not appeal to individual tastes.