The Rushcutters

Call of the log fire, good food and company, in a chill Norfolk winterBaby, it’s cold outside. But as those chill winds of winter may blow unremittingly across the fields of Norfolk and The Broads, there will be a constant warm, home-​from-​home welcome from management and staff at The Rushcutters, Thorpe St Andrew, just east of Norwich. Just check out that roaring log fire in the grate. You won’t want to leave! Since my last review of this popular Chef & Brewer pub and restaurant back in early summer, the place has fulfilled and even surpassed the expectations of local regulars and tourists alike in terms of food and beverage choice. I fear though that’s there’s always a danger of any popular venue such as this becoming a victim of its own success. The thing is, be sensible folks. Now, I’ve seen criticisms on here about long waits for food to arrive at table and some diners coming up with some very inventive complaints about certain dishes invariably when they’ve already sat there and scoffed the lot. If you want fast food, go to McDonalds. It’s as simple as that. Quick dining is not what The Rushcutters is about at all a long way from it in fact. Every customer is special, old or new, to managing couple Ben Cooke and Trisha Murphy. But if you’re going to turn up with a large party at peak dining times at weekends without a reservation well, yes, you’ll always be accommodated but expect to wait. So book in advance and avoid all of that. There’s no shortage of staff on duty any day in the kitchen and on the dining floor and in the garden area, as I’ve witnessed myself many times these past few months. Busy times, however, are hectic and these guys only have one pair of legs, arms and hands each. Assuredly they do their very best, all the time and with a smile. I was there recently for Sunday lunch with a good friend, Sandy, who’d not been there before. We opted for soup starters, followed by a combo roast that’s a mixture of pork, beef and lamb each, served with a whole palette of fresh veg, roast potatoes and Yorkie pudding, all drizzled with ample gravy. Then followed a sweet (great choices here) and throughout, three rounds of drinks glasses of lager and wine. The bill came to just over £40. Sandy agreed, together with the excellent and attentive personal service by a young waitress, that it was extremely good value. I can tell you that she came away afterwards a devotee of the place. The Rushcutters is always offering new, seasonal dishes. Until 20^th November, it’s the Flavour of Game from venison pie to Guinea Fowl, pheasant and partridge (sourced from Yorkshire), all rounded off, perhaps, with some spiced apples and pears lavished with mince-​pie flavoured ice cream. If all that sounds a bit too rich for you (never to myself!) then there’s the extensively itemised standard menus (revamped in October), many with almost weekly ‘meal deals’ which can be had through downloaded vouchers by email subscription. Real ale fans always have a treat at The Rushcutters and besides the popular tipples such as Nelson’s Revenge and The Wherry new, seasonal additions include a cheeky little number called well, Cheeky Devil. There’s always a selection of medium-​priced white and red wines to be had, by the glass or bottle (no halves). For example, with the Flavour of Game month, a South African Shiraz/​Cabernet/​Malbec blend is proving very successful with the wine and diners. A bold and juicy red, just like Rudolf’s nose! Ah yes, the Christmas season at The Rushcutters gets underway with the switching on of festive lighting from 20^th November. This follows a very community-​spirited approach by young family pair Ben and Trisha since the summer, aimed at attracting in mum, dad and the kids events ranging from a recent Halloween Party, Man in Black Ghost Walk, colouring competitions for the youngsters and, on 1^st December, a charity day in aid East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices. Christmas Day lunch and afternoon festive fun is traditionally very popular at The Rushcutters, many booking for the following year after feasting at the current celebration. So, booking now is crucial so too for New Year’s Eve, with live music on hand to see the old year old. Prices of course vary for each event. As for that roaring fire, a centrepiece in winter, well, you don’t have to become a piece of human toast to enjoy it. It provides an enhancement to a pleasant winter evening spent away from the cold night air and in good company. With the tinsel and Christmas lights a ‘twinkling, I make no apology for using the word ‘magical’ again in this review in terms of the atmosphere and easy ambience of the place. If I have to fault one thing at The Rushcutters, I think it has to be what I can only describe as the rather tatty state of the patio riverside garden seating area in terms of the herbaceous planting thereabouts, much overgrown and which really does need some attention. However, I am informed that a tidy-​up operation is soon to be in

A nice country pub in Norwich, located right alongside the river. Plenty of outside seats for enjoying the sunshine and the water and the ducks. Try to tune out the noise of the train though, because one of the commuter lines is nearby and in the evening, it’s busy.
The sign at the bar indicating that food orders would be 45 minutes probably should have been our first clue. However, the beer was good and cold so we didn’t mind.
When the food arrived, it was quite good. Two of my dining companions went with the pie selection. Five small (two inches across) pies with a selection of fillings — beef and stilton, chicken, beer and mushroom and two they couldn’t quite identify. With a bowl of very smooth mash. I had the slow roast guinea, which looked and tasted exactly like chicken. With mash and lightly wilted spinach and a lot of brown gravy. Delish.
The desserts looked good, but we just stuck with the beer.
I don’t know if I would return — it was good but it is too far from the hotel where we’re staying that it was *that* good.

The Rushcutters is set in a beautiful part of Norwich, situated on the river front it has idealic views out across the river and the countryside beyond. Unfortunatly this is as good as it gets, having eatern their about 5 years ago I had fond memories of very good food, however the last 2 recent times I have visited the food has been mideocre at best, when it arrived at the table it looked like what you would expect from a average pub lunch. The Veg and scampi had obviously been microwaved and the chips were cold. My girlfriends food was also a big let down, we gave it another try after the first visit but alas the food was no better.
A real shame for a place that once was held in high regard. But we have a rule that if the food is bad twice in a row we will not go back. If you want good quality pub food set in a beautiful landscape there are many many better places around Norfolk that are much nicer.

A beautiful view out onto the water, it’s a shame the food didn’t match up to expectations (I’d read so many good reviews but I ended up very disappointed).
Quite away out of the centre of Norwich it also is not overly convenient to get to.

Amazing food for a chained pub, its my favourite pub in the summer. The food can be pricey but well worth it. I often have shouler of lamb or the sausages and mash. Portion size is very good. The staff wear a uniform and are very well poresented. You can sit by the river and watch the world go by. Outside parking and very popular. Brilliant restaurant.

This pub is idyllically situated by the river in the Thorpe St Andrew area of Norwich, just a couple of miles from the city centre. It is beautiful both inside and out. We have enjoyed many meals here inside near the log fire under the wooden beams and also outside on a summer’s day watching life go by on the river. The setting is not the only thing that keeps us coming back though. The food is excellent and there is a wide choice available to cater for most tastes. One time I had what I thought would be a very simple pasta dish but was blown away by the flavours and textures on the plate. It was heavenly! The staff are efficient, friendly and knowledgeable on the dishes they serve. We shall no doubt be returning soon!

Oh this is such a nice place to go! It’s a short drive out of Norwich and if you’ve been shopping in the morning, it’s the perfect place to unwind and rest your tired feet! It’s just on the river (though I always seem to go in winter so haven’t had the chance to sit outside and enjoy my food). The menu is quite extensive and there are always a decent number of specials of the board. Another great thing about this place is that it’s open all day so you’re not fixed to the normal restaurant hours. The last time I was in I had aubergine canneloni with sweet potato mash — delicious! I really do enjoy going here!

Just outside the city, you’ll find this great pub by the river.
It’s a beautiful pub with open beams and full of tables tucked in different nooks and crannies.
They can cater for larger parties and are great with organising a tasty meal for work colleagues.
The do a great meals with local produce in season. Their chunky chips go great with the food and the Sunday dinner are out of this world.
It’s best to book if you are dining at the weekend.
The service is fast and polite in a fantastic setting.

A nice place to go for a meal. Has a varied menu, good atmosphere and a riverside terrace. There is also reasonable parking and a bus service from the city centre.