For over 25 years, La Barbe restaurant has been the epicentre of all things French in Reigate. Charmingly rustic with wooden tables and chairs accented by sunny yellow and cream, La Barbe’s décor might allude more to provincial France than Surrey. Both chef and owner are passionate about classical cuisine, rejecting foodie fads for beautifully-prepared, timeless French dishes. Start with escargots cooked in rich garlic butter, followed by beef fillet served with morel mushroom sauce and cauliflower gratin. Desserts are sure to crack even the hardest, with options such as Bailey’s crème brule, or a traditional tarte tatin with cinnamon ice cream. It’s comfort food at its best, done with joie de vivre.