GENERALLY, hotel restaurants seem to be reserved solely for the pleasure of staying guests.

But this could mean there is delicious food right on your doorstep of which you’re not even aware.

Well, I can tell you that there is delicious food right on your doorstep - and everyone is welcome.

MacDonald Berystede has just launched Acanthus, its newly-refurbished restaurant. It’s built on a ‘relaxed approached to fine dining’ and certainly has the ‘wow’ factor.

The hotel itself is a breathtaking building; you step into a beautiful hall with a sweeping staircase and furnishings that would not look out of place in Downton Abbey.

The whole place is decorated to festive perfection; a giant twinkling Christmas tree; sparkling lights and candles, a crackling fire. It is nothing short of beautiful.

I have written before about McDonald hotel restaurants being the kind of place you go to experience a real culinary treat on a special occasion, and Acanthus is no different.

The scallops to start were probably the best I have ever had. They were seated in a decorative shell accompanied by mushroom duxelle, white wine sauce and gruyere cheese. Perfection.

Reading Chronicle:

The wine selection is impressive - and the staff certainly know their stuff about pairing food and drink.

For main I opted for free range chicken, which was served with Toulouse sausage and smoked bacon cassoulet. A real winter warmer.

The dessert - white chocolate and passion fruit delice - was stunning to look at and even better to taste (not always the way with desserts!) If you are searching for a great dining experience, don’t think that MacDonald Berystede is just a hotel. You really would be missing out.

Bagshot Road, Sunninghill
Visit: macdonaldhotels.co.uk Tel: 0344 879 9104