Looking like something from a Mediterranean island, with its reclaimed wood, part whitewashed walls, and rustic decor, Runa seems perfect for the Instagram age we live in. We booked a table through the website (a very user friendly process) and noted that almost every page contains their strapline of "boho, earthy, honest". While I'm not quite sure what that means, their pledge of a "field to fork focus" centred around the use of "high-quality, locally grown produce with dishes that switch with the seasons" sounded very promising.
We drove up towards Barney on the kind of late summer evening that could have been straight out of the pages of a Thomas Hardy novel (if only they had been set up north). The sunshine was just disappearing into the misty horizon as we arrived, initially a little unsure if we were at the right place due to the minimalistic approach to signage. The venue is owned by the Apartment Group, which also has The Croft (Spa) and Lartington Hall, and I could be wrong, but it would appear that weddings are their main market.
Runa was hosting one on the night we visited, and with the guests and various bridesmaids to-ing and fro-ing through the restaurant, presumably to their rooms, it did feel a little as though we had gatecrashed a private function. It also felt very cool – so much so that our jackets stayed on throughout our meal. Our table was quite central, which gave a good opportunity for people watching – both our fellow diners and the wedding guests.
