Purely from an aesthetic perspective, this charming and alluring building just shouts at you from the roadside to come in and enjoy a quick adjournment from your trip. It oozes class and refinement; giving you, the passer-by, an assurance that you will have a good time and not leave wishing you had not bothered to stop. From the cute garden furniture to the archaic little wishing-well, the entrance eases you into a mood of calmness and relaxation.
Thankfully, this ambience carries through into the bar-lounge. My guest (K) and I were warmly welcomed by the barmaid, who, following a beaming smile, immediately asked what drink we would like. I opted for a pint of cider whilst K chose her traditional vodka and diet coke. The bill for these was added to the tab. Having pre-booked a table - and having arrived early - we enjoyed a short moment reflecting upon the various characteristics of the bar area.
An interesting combination of sinking sofas, wooden tables, tall bar stools and armed chairs dominate the décor whilst a beautiful and inviting open fire takes centre stage. The low ceiling and warm colour scheme help create a cosy atmosphere where one can easily snuggle down and lose track of time. Luckily, we arrived during a busy period, leading to a noise level that sat just the right side of pleasant. In fact, the occasional loud laughter manifesting from a tipsy local added greatly to the overall appeal and experience.
Somewhat strangely, we were offered a menu and asked to choose our food before being seated in the restaurant section of the building; but, aside from being slightly puzzled, K and I went on drinking our drinks whilst pondering what the rest of the pub might have to offer. And we weren't to be disappointed. Before finishing our drinks we were whisked off graciously towards the restaurant. Following a short but pleasant weave through old wooden beams and wonky old doors we found ourselves in the restaurant.
Obviously newer, the restaurant offers a completely different experience altogether. Congenial music greets you softly as candles glisten all around. You are transported from a lively and traditional country local to a chic, modern and somewhat Parisian setting. The decoration is minimal but with enough stand out features - such as the adorable little depth pictures hanging on the wall - to keep you eyeballing the room. As we took our seats some delectable warm seeded rolls were offered as an appetiser.
And so, after not too long a wait, we were tucking into our starters. K decided to stick to a fish theme throughout the meal, choosing the pan fried scallops in a white wine sauce with crispy pancetta (£7.95). The scallops were cooked perfectly and, along with the crispy pancetta, provided one of the nicest textures known to man. I had the chef's pate (£6.55), which involved chicken livers, brandy, wine, onions, herbs and cream. Regrettably, my toast was slightly cold, but overall the dish was a beautiful way to start.
Onto the main courses: Sticking religiously to a theme of fish, K went for the trout bretonne with prawns and mushrooms (£11.95). It truly was a lovely piece of fish - served whole - accompanied by some squeezable lemon. The trout was tender and just fell off the bone; a real delight to devour. My chicken a la king (£13.50) was a pleasing combination of diced chicken breast with a creamy onion, pepper, mushrooms and sherry sauce served with rice. Both meals were wonderful, if a little filling.
The meals alone would have proven enough, but alongside your dishes you are presented with bowls of potatoes and mixed vegetables. We were given a dish full of new potatoes, another dish filled with gorgeous sautéed potatoes and another with a mix of seasonal veg (cabbage, runner beans and cauliflower). Whilst all being perfectly edible, when served alongside such hefty portions it was a little too much. A lot of the new potatoes remained uneaten and, as a result of the beautiful aesthetic elements of the sautéed potatoes, my rice had to play second fiddle.
However, despite the overwhelming portion sizes, we left the table feeling full yet not too uncomfortable. A dessert was not necessary - though they were offered and a wide selection was available. As time was not on our side, we could not resume our session in the bar afterwards. But, were we not in so much of a hurry, that would have been the perfect way to end the perfect evening. Laughter and chatter was now in full swing with a nice mixture of young and old drinkers mingling together.
Any preconceptions of country pubs are blown away by this suburb modest environment. Strangers and first-timers are welcomed as if they had been coming for years. There is no apparent dress code, meaning you can come as smart or as relaxed as you wish. The only requirement is that you enjoy yourself and have a good time; and if you ask me, that is not a bad obligation to have.
Price of evening: £54.60
Value for money: 4/5
Overall enjoyment: 5/5