Food & drink
Open to all for lunch, drinks and dinner
The restaurant opens onto a pretty courtyard created for warm weather dining.
The Inn
Picnic & Hampers
The Star can provide picnics or full hampers whether you are walking on The Downs or going to Glyndebourne. More
Children & dogs
Please let us know if your children (>11) or dog will accompany you when making a reservation. We will be happy to accommodate you in The Inn or Courtyard with the same menu as the Dining Room.
Large party reservations
Please call 01323 870495 to check availability.
Parking
Parking for lunch and dinner guests is available close by at The Dene public car park.
At busy periods we take payment card details to secure your booking. No money will be taken unless you fail to give us 24 hours notice of cancellation. In the event of a no show we will charge the card on file £50 per cover.
The Dining room
The dining room is decorated with a striking black and white Elizabethan design on the floor, painted by Alfriston artist Amanda Lawrence.
Our chefs serve simple, unfussy dishes with a focus on clarity of flavour. The ever-changing highly seasonal menus utilise the abundance of exceptional Sussex produce.
FROM THE TABLE
SCRUMSHUS™
granola vg gf
FULL FAT NATURAL YOGHURT
DEANS BARN HONEY
SELECTION OF JAM & HOUSE-MADE MARMALADE
HOUSE-MADE POACHED & FRESH SEASONAL FRUITS
WHOLE NUTS & SEEDS
FRESHLY BAKED MIXED PASTRIES
CEREALS
Bran flakes | Weetabix | Puffed Rice
ORANGE & GRAPEFRUIT JUICE
squeezed in-house
ACV INFUSION
turmeric & ginger
MILK ALTERNATIVES
Oat | Soya | Almond
FROM THE KITCHEN
FREE RANGE PORK SAUSAGE
smoked bacon & free range eggs gf
CALCOT FARM BLACK PUDDING
pork sausage, smoked bacon, house-made hash brown, tomatoes, fried duck egg & house-made spiced ketchup
POACHED EGGS BENEDICT
bacon, hollandaise sauce, English muffin
SEVERN & WYE SMOKED SALMON
scrambled free range eggs gf
POACHED NATURAL SMOKED HADDOCK FILLET
poached eggs gf
POACHED EGGS ROYALE
smoked salmon, hollandaise sauce, English muffin
CRUSHED AVOCADO WITH LIME & SLICED TOMATO
on grilled sourdough (with poached eggs or with feta cheese & chilli flakes) v
ROASTED CHESTNUT MUSHROOMS
butter, lemon, thyme, Rosemary & garlic on grilled sourdough v
HOT OAT MILK PORRIDGE
mixed berries, honey & mixed: goji berries, pecan nuts, hazelnuts, walnuts, almonds, pumpkin seed, flax seeds, linseeds & sunflower seeds df
COLD OAT MILK OVERNIGHT OATS
mixed berries, honey & mixed: goji berry, pecan nuts, hazelnuts, walnuts, almonds, pumpkin seed, flax seeds, linseeds & sunflower seeds df
Monday-Friday 12.30-3 PM / Saturday & Sunday 12.30-3.30 PM
Sample menu
STARTERS
all served with house-made focaccia
ROASTED ONION SQUASH SOUP
crispy croutons, crème fraiche, olive oil v
£14
PORCHETTA TONNATO
cold sliced roasted pork, tuna mayonnaise dressing, caperberries, rocket, aged parmesan gf
£16
BEETROOT CARPACCIO
toasted Golden Cross goats’ cheese, candied walnuts, wild rocket, herb oil gf
£15
GRILLED MACKEREL FILLET
beetroot & horseradish remoulade, watercress, lemon wedge gf
£15
SEARED SHETLAND SCALLOPS
garden pea & mint purée, apple gf
£18
MAIN COURSES
PASTA OF THE DAY
please ask staff for details
£16/£24
STEAMED ENGLISH ASPARAGUS
tarragon, gherkin, caper, shallot & parsley dressing, soft hen’s egg & aged parmesanv/ gf
£16/£25
WARM CHALK FARM SEA TROUT, DILL, PARMESAN CHEESE TART
watercress, little gem lettuce, cucumber, Olga’s dressing boulangère potatoes, fine green beans, cider sauce gf
£24
SIRLOIN OF SUSSEX BEEF TAGLIATA
spiced garlic butter, heritage tomato and watercress salad, balsamic dressing gf
£30
CHICKEN MILANESE CAESAR SALAD
baby gem lettuce, avocado, sourdough croutons, anchovies, parmesan cheese, Caesar dressing
£24
THE STAR CATCH OF THE DAY
broccoli, samphire, caper & parsley beurre blanc gf
£26
DESSERTS
TART OF THE DAY
vanilla ice cream or custard v
£12
STICKY TOFFEE PUDDING
toffee sauce & vanilla ice cream v
£12
PLUM & ALMOND FRANGIPANE TART
vanilla custard v
£12
SELECTION OF LOCAL ICE CREAMS & SORBETS
(per scoop)
£3.50
AFFOGATO £9
vanilla ice cream & espresso
£9
“BOOZY” AFFOGATO
Frangelico hazelnut liqueur, vanilla ice cream & espresso
£14
SUNDAY LUNCH
Sunday 12.30-3pm
Sample menu
CREAMY ROASTED ONIONS SQUASH SOUP
caramelized onions, nutmeg & crème fraiche v gf
£14
BUFFALO BURRATA CHEESE SALAD
marinated beetroot, chicory, watercress & balsamic dressing v
£16
ANTIPASTO ITALIANO
parma-ham, salame Milano, bresaola, rocket & toasted sourdough df
£16
GRILLED LOCAL MACKEREL
fennel salad, rocket & salsa verde gf df
£16
HAND MADE SPINACH & RICOTTA RAVIOLI
sage butter sauce, aged parmesan v
£14/£24
PAN ROASTED SEA TROUT FILLET
tenderstem broccoli, sauteed baby potatoes, caper Beurre Blanc gf
£34
SUSSEX RED BEEF SIRLOIN
roasted potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, savoy cabbage & horseradish
£30
SIDES
MIXED LEAF SALAD aged balsamic
SEASONAL GREENS lemon & olive oil
ROASTED POTATOES
all £6
PLUM FRANGIPAN TART
rum & raisin ice cream v
£9
BAKED DARK CHOCOLATE MOUSSE
crème fraiche v gf
£9
HOLY COW! MILK ICE CREAM ‘AFFOGATO’
Groovy Goat espresso v gf
£8
SELECTION OF LOCAL BRITISH & ITALIAN CHEESES
Ouse Valley chutney & sourdough crackers
£12
BAR MENU
11.30 AM-6 PM
SOUP OF THE DAY
A rustic seasonal soup with sourdough. Please ask for details £14 v
add half a grilled sourdough cheddar cheese toastie £6 v
TOASTIES
Served on ciabatta
Prosciutto crudo, mozzarella, black truffle & rocket £14
Maruzzella tuna, oven roasted tomato, black olive tapenade, lemon & rocket £14
Sun-dried tomato pesto, pickled red onions & fontina £12 v
SANDWICHES
Thick cut white or brown bread
Prawn & crayfish, peperonata, lemon mayonnaise, rocket £14
Thick-cut ham & cheddar, Ouse valley piccalilli £12
Maruzzella tuna, oven-roasted tomato, black olive tapenade, lemon & rocket £14
Cheddar, oven-roasted tomato, pickled red onion £12 v
THE STAR BURGER £18
Two 4oz Sussex beef patties, smoked Scamorza, pancetta jam, gem lettuce, beef tomato, brioche bun, fries
BREADED FISH CAKES £12
Tartar sauce, watercress & rocket salad, lemon
THE STAR PLOUGHMANS LUNCH £16
Sussex cheddar, blue cheese, cooked ham, balsamic pickled onions, soft boiled hens’ egg, lettuce, radish & cucumber salad, Ouse valley piccalilli & crusty bread
THE STAR TAGLIERE £16
Fennel salami, Lonza, Bresaola, Parma ham, marinated olives, focaccia, sundried tomato butter
BEEF & ROSEMARY CROQUETTES £14
Aioli, watercress
HOUSE FRIES £6 v
with ketchup and mayonnaise
HOUSE-MADE SCONES & POT OF TEA £12
Plain or fruit, blackcurrant, strawberry or raspberry jam & clotted cream
HOUSE-MADE TART OF THE DAY £12
BAR MENU
6 AM-8 PM
SOUP OF THE DAY £14
A rustic seasonal soup with sourdough. Please ask for details v
THE STAR BURGER £18
Two 4oz Sussex beef patties, smoked provolone, pancetta jam, gem lettuce, beef tomato, brioche bun, fries
BREADED FISH CAKES £12
Tartar sauce, watercress & rocket salad, lemon
THE STAR PLOUGHMANS £16
Sussex cheddar, blue cheese, cooked ham, balsamic pickled onions, soft boiled hens’ egg, lettuce, radish & cucumber salad, Ouse valley piccalilli & crusty bread
THE STAR TAGLIERE £16
Fennel salami, Lonza, Bresaola, Parma ham, marinated olives, focaccia, sundried tomato butter
SELECTION OF CHEESE
Ouse Valley chutney, quince, grapes & sourdough crackers £14 for three, £19 for five v
HOUSE FRIES £6 v
with ketchup and mayonnaise
THE BOX
£150
A fully stocked hamper for two. Includes all the following:
BRUSCHETTA
Black olive tapenade, peperonata, anchovy, basil
CAPRESE
Heritage tomato, bocconcini mozzarella balsamic vinegar, basil v
CARBONARA FRITTATA
Pancetta, pecorino, black pepper
PORCHETTA TONATTO
Tuna mayonnaise dressing, capers Rocket, aged parmesan
WATERMELON & FETA TABOULEH
Bulgur wheat, cucumber, red onion mint & parsley v
ENGLISH STRAWBERRY & LEMON TRIFLE
Limoncello, mascarpone v
Pure Spring water for two
Optional tea & coffee
If you would like wine or Champagne to be added, please order from the list below:
White
Pecorino - £38, Dega, Abruzzo, 2023, Organic
Red
Primitivo - £41, Magnifico, Manduria, 2021
Rose
Vallon des Anges - £50, Provence, 2023, Organic
Champagne
Thienot Brut - £85, Reims, Champagne, Vegan
Our box can of course be tailored to your specific dietary requirements.
N.B. 48 hours’ notice is needed for all Box orders, and contents may vary due to seasonal availability.
THE RUCKSACK
£20
A freshly made sandwich, energy bite, seasonal fruit & slice of tart
On thick cut white & brown bread
Sandwich fillings on thick cut white & brown bread include:
Peperonata, black olive tapenade v vg
Sun-dried tomato pesto, cheddar, pickled onion v
Smoked salmon & avocado
Thick cut ham, cheddar, Ouse valley piccalilli
Prawn & crayfish, peperonata, lemon mayonnaise
500ml Pure Spring water
Optional tea & coffee
Gluten free bread is also available.
Other fillings may be available, dependent on seasonality. Please ask for further details.
We are able to provide a picnic table and rug on request.
SANDWICHES & SAVOURIES
TOASTED ASPARAGUS & CHERRY TOMATO TART (V)
A delicate all-butter pastry tart filled with seasonal English asparagus and roasted heritage cherry tomatoes
TOASTED GOAT'S CHEESE, TOMATO & BASIL PESTO FOCACCIA (V)
Toasted Golden Cross goat's cheese layered on house-made focaccia, vine-ripened tomatoes and basil pesto
SMOKED SALMON & AVOCADO ON BROWN BREAD
Scottish smoked salmon and crushed avocado served on artisan brown bread, finished with a hint of citrus
CHICKEN & TARRAGON MAYONNAISE BOUCHÉE
Tender chicken breast with a velvety tarragon mayonnaise, in a crisp puff pastry bouchée
PATISSERIE
SEASONAL FRUIT TART
A buttery sweet pastry shell filled with vanilla crème pâtissière and adorned with seasonal fruits.
SEASONAL VANILLA MILLEFOGLIE
Delicate layers of caramelised puff pastry and Madagascan vanilla cream, crafted in the traditional Italian style.
CHOCOLATE MOUSSE
A rich chocolate mousse with a silky texture and intense cocoa flavour
FRESHLY BAKED PLAIN & FRUIT SCONES
Warm plain and fruit scones baked throughout the day and served with Cornish clotted cream and strawberry preserve.
£39
Served 3.30-5pm
STARTERS
Sample menu
SOUP OF THE DAY
please ask staff for details v
£14
NEW SEASON ASPARAGUS
soft hen’s egg, basil & preserved lemon dressing, aged Parmesan v/gf
£16
SALMON TARTARE
avocado gf
£18
ITALIAN BURRATA
aubergine caponata, sultanas, celery, basil pesto, Pane Carasatu v
£16
MARINATED HERITAGE TOMATOES
basil & almond pesto, sourdough croutons, olives, feta cheese
£15
RARE ROAST BEEF SALAD
grilled gem lettuce, pickled red onion, crispy potatoes, smoked horseradish dressing gf
£16
PASTA
SPAGHETTI AL POMODORO E BASILICO
datterini tomatoes, basil, olive oil, aged Parmesan cheese v
£16/£24
MAIN COURSES
MOULES MARINIÈRE
garlic, parsley, white wine & cream, toasted ciabatta mgf
£14/£20
WARM TUNA NIÇOISE
green beans, Jersey Royal potatoes, tomatoes, black olives, quail’s egg, Olga’s dressing gf
£34
THE STAR CATCH OF THE DAY
chargrilled Mediterranean vegetables, Sauce Vierge gf
£32
SIRLOIN OF SUSSEX BEEF
slow roast tomatoes, wilted greens, peppercorn sauce, watercress gf
£36
PORK TENDERLOIN
wrapped in parma ham, roasted hispi cabbage, turnip puree, gremolata gf
£34
PEA & BROAD BEAN RISOTTO
goat cheese fondue, fresh peas & broad beans, watercress, herb oil v
£26
SIDES
all £6
House Fries
Mixed leaf salad
Seasonal vegetables
Baby potatoes
DESSERTS
AMARETTO & RASPBERRY CHOUX BUN
raspberry ripple ice cream v
£12
SUSSEX STRAWBERRY ETON MESS
strawberry coulis, meringues, Chantilly cream v
£12
DARK CHOCOLATE TART
salted caramel ice cream v
£12
SELECTION OF ICE CREAM & SORBET
(per scoop) v
£3.50
AFFOGATO
vanilla bean ice cream & espresso coffee v
£9
There is a discretionary 12.5% service charge added to your bill
The china used in the restaurant has been designed and decorated in England by Gabriella Shaw, and features leaves from native English trees.
The 15th century front of the hotel, known as The Inn, opens onto the High Street, and provides relaxed dining from 12.30pm until 3pm Monday to Friday, with local beers, open fires and oak beams. The library is a sanctuary for guests to enjoy a drink or a cup of tea, or play one of the board games. Its bookshelves are packed with poetry, short stories and novels by British authors, and there is a section dedicated to local history, flora and fauna. The library has a secret door that opens onto the restaurant.
The Walled Garden
