Those looking for a place to retreat into the countryside for a special occasion can expect to leave with a smile at this Suffolk destination. 

Retreat East extended an invite to try its evening menu and having grown up less than 10 minutes drive away, the country roads really were taking me home. 

High ceilings, wooden beams, the Great Barn lives up to its name as you walk up from the car park.

Ipswich Star: Dinner was inside the Great Barn at Retreat East in Hemingstone.Dinner was inside the Great Barn at Retreat East in Hemingstone. (Image: Newsquest)

If any of your party has mobility issues you can drive up towards the retreat to allow for a more comfortable drop off, but as you walk up you can take in the fields and maybe spot a horse or two.

It was a dog free evening when I visited with my mum but often the restaurant is filled with four legged friends during all sittings. 

As we are now in spring time it was lovely to watch as daylight fades to nighttime through the large windows, a nice touch for an evening out enjoying incredible food.

Ipswich Star: We opted for a mocktail called the Raspberry Retreat as we chose our meal.We opted for a mocktail called the Raspberry Retreat as we chose our meal. (Image: Newsquest)

Retreat East is about luxury and you will find this in every plate, from the work to grow their own seasonal and delicious ingredients to the more unusual food pairings.

Ipswich Star: Retreat East prides itself on its kitchen garden and uses the ingredients in its dishes.Retreat East prides itself on its kitchen garden and uses the ingredients in its dishes. (Image: Alexander Parnell)

A three-course meal for two is going to be closer to the £100 mark so this is for those special celebrations and I can quite happily say it will be worth every penny.

Ipswich Star: The way the egg yolk was cured was a big stand out on the dish.The way the egg yolk was cured was a big stand out on the dish. (Image: Newsquest)

I started the evening with the asparagus dish which came with a wild garlic and almond sauce, cured egg yolk and sorrel (£12).

The garlic and almond sauce was quite understated in this dish and I think mainly because I was so fixated on the cured egg yolk.

On inspection it could look like grated cheese, but is in fact very finely grated egg. Just that sprinkling over the top of felt as if you had cut into a whole poached egg. So much flavour in a small sprinkling, a very impressive technique. 

The sorrel gave a real punch to the dish and it was nice to start with something hearty in preparation for our next dishes.

Ipswich Star: Retreat East is located in Hemingstone and truly is a place for a special evening out.Retreat East is located in Hemingstone and truly is a place for a special evening out. (Image: Retreat East)

The nettle and mint soup, which would have used homegrown nettles, and the crab also caught my eye when looking at the menu.

Things really went up a notch when our mains arrived.

Ipswich Star: The duck was sensational. The duck was sensational. (Image: Newsquest)

I chose the duck breast with semi dried tomatoes, mushroom duxelles, charred potato puree, duck jus chassuer (£25), while my mum ordered the aubergine tagine.

The tagine (£19) was served with giant couscous, saffron yoghurt and preserved lemon and was described as hearty.

It was described as hearty and filling and the yoghurt was delicious.

Ipswich Star: The aubergine tagine came with giant couscous, saffron yoghurt and preserved lemon The aubergine tagine came with giant couscous, saffron yoghurt and preserved lemon (Image: Newsquest)

The duck was sensational. Everything on the plate knew its place, adding sweetness, richness, and plated so wonderfully but how it was cooked the meat still remained the star of the show.

What I always enjoy is that good food does not have to mean tiny portions. This was perfectly enough and if you wanted to add extras there is the option.

The portions do leave you the right amount of full to order dessert. 

I have a sweet tooth so it was interesting to look through a menu that will appeal to those who want to try the unusual.

Such dishes included sea buckthorn curd and pink peppercorn ice cream.

Ipswich Star: The Chocolate & Hazelnut Paris-Brest with chocolate ice cream is chocolate heaven.The Chocolate & Hazelnut Paris-Brest with chocolate ice cream is chocolate heaven. (Image: Newsquest)

But there is something about the combination of chocolate and hazelnut that just makes it an unbeatable duo.

Now £12 for a dessert is on the much higher end but I can state the case for the Chocolate & Hazelnut Paris-Brest with chocolate ice cream.

The choux pastry parted easily with each spoonful as you carve to take a bite of the beautifully piped chocolate centre. 

It is rich rather than sweet and I can not speak highly enough about this dessert and that was after feeling spoilt eating the duck.

Ipswich Star: The bread and butter pudding was a hit too.The bread and butter pudding was a hit too. (Image: Newsquest)

My mum chose the caramerlised bread and butter pudding with vanilla ice cream (£10).

She has not been a huge fan of the dish in the past but it was safe to say Retreat East's version changed her mind and called it a delight to the palate.

What made it so was the wonderfully smooth ice cream and the crunch caramelised edges of the pudding that was well spiced. 

The attention to detail from staff from their indepth knowledge of the menu and the ingredients to ensuring guest comfort.

On the night we visited I was dressed very summery as the evening chill came in and without hesitation I was offered a blanket or a heater if I was feeling cold. 

The evening menu is certainly for those special occasions, but Retreat East also offers breakfast, brunch, afternoon tea, Sunday roasts and cake offerings.

A chance for luxury at any meal of the day perhaps?