The Neptune, Old Hunstanton, Norfolk

Dinner, bed and breakfast (Sunday to Thursday), £185 per room, per night

The north Norfolk coast is blessed with miles of sandy beaches and dunes. But it's not just the natural beauty that draws people here—it's become a gastro-haven, too, with a selection of restaurants and gastro-pubs that could rival any in Bucks. The Neptune, an 18th-century former coaching inn refurbished to provide a restaurant and six bedrooms upstairs, is one of them.

Chef Kevin Mangeolles held a Michelin star at The George on the Isle of Wight before earning a second here in 2009. His modern British food uses quality seasonal produce from Norfolk and the cosy rooms have all the mod cons.

We celebrated a special birthday at The Neptune and couldn't fault the food or the warm professional service, aided by Kevin's wife Jacki at front of house. After champagne and an amuse-bouche in the bar our party sat down for dinner in the intimate restaurant. My open smoked haddock ravioli, Brancaster mussels and watercress was a clever combination, the haddock beautifully cooked while the pigeon breast, chestnut, foie gras mousse and sweet corn purée was considered a decadent treat.

My main of sea bass, deep-fried anchovies, gnocchi and broccoli purée was put together with a light touch, the combination delicious. Birthday girl said the Gressingham duck with its thin crispy skin was succulent with a rich gamey flavour that melted in the mouth. Accompanied by almond praline, potato dauphine, red cabbage and butternut squash purée, she said it was an explosion of complementary flavours.

My milk chocolate mousse, hazelnut ice cream and caramel sauce dessert was a fitting finale. A home-made birthday cake, served with coffee, finished us off but we all agreed it had been a truly successful birthday celebration.

Amy Duff