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The Shady Oak Fernilee (Whaley Bridge, Cheshire)
by Emma1973 Having spent an enjoyable weekend in Derby we traveled over the peaks back towards Manchester, foremost on our minds was a spot of lunch, we decided to forgo your typical chain restaurants on the edge of towns and see if we could find a pub on the way. Such things can be pot luck though, and taking such a view in mind we passed by ... several until we found The Shady Oak, that and the fact that I really needed to go to the toilet! It looked like your typical old time pub from the outside, lots of windows and hanging baskets, there was also several benches and tables outside, and a decent size car park to the size. What it did have was an absolutely fantastic view, lots of hills and valleys and completely unspoilt views, thankfully it was a nice clear day when we were there. Entering inside was just like entering inside any village pub, suitably unmodern. A highly polished bar, pictures of countryside scenes, heaps of logs for the open, and yes a few brasses on the wall as well. We were greeted by the cheery barman who took our drinks order and pointed us towards an alcove which featured several tables and a good old leather sofa which we plonked our backsides on and perused the menu available whilst casting sneaky looks at the flat screen showing the Murray V Federer match. It's definitely a more traditional pub, you'd be hard pressed to find an alco-pop, but there was a good range of traditional ales. The menu seemed quite small but when I went to the toilet I noticed their special grill and fish menus above the bar displaying various types of cuts of meat and fish dishes such as swordfish and tuna. I don't actually like this, I've invariable forgotten what was on there when I get back to my seat and I find it annoying to stand there and stare at it whilst simultaneously looking at the menu in my hand. And even more annoying is having to go and search for the desserts board at the end of the meal, which in this place is on a wall to the side of the board. With a full belly I prefer to sit and peruse a menu without having to search for it and then go back to the table and try to remember whats on it to tell the rest of your party. Still it's a personal niggle. It was a Sunday and of course that means my partner will be looking for a Sunday roast and that is precisely what the Shady Oak offers. A main course on its own for £7.95, 2 courses for £9.95 and 3 courses for £12.95. There was a choice of starters, Home made Soup, Prawn Cocktail or Home made Chicken Pate. The main course was Roast Beef or the roast of the day or Haddock topped with prawns and a cream sauce. There probably was a vegetarian option but for the life of me I cant remember what it was! All of the above were served with the traditional Sunday dinner trimmings. For dessert you have to go and find that annoying board Of course there is more on the menu then that, Home-made shepherds pies, other pies, etc. Practically everything on the menu was home-made, which is always nice to see as many of the traditional pubs have given way to the ready-made frozen variety. So we decided to go and find a seat in the main part of the pub which had only one other family in it at the time. Our cheery barman had sadly been replaced however by some woman who had, as my mother would put it 'a face like a smacked arse' perched on a stool by the bar facing the alcove that most of the people were in. Before we even opened our mouths we got a 'Table for two? Table 11, over there in the corner', not the friendliest Landlady I've ever come across to be honest! Suitably chastened we trundled over to our table, certainly I felt like I was being punished for something! And of course the table was suitably wobbly but I didn't dare move and miss rocking the boat! We're so in sync me and my partner so we both ordered the chicken liver pate and the roast beef and pork! Our starters came suitably quickly, it was a good thick piece of grey looking pate, have a small baguette, a mixed salad of leaves, chopped red onions, tomatoes and cucumber with a balsamic vinegar and a small packet of butter. The baguette was one of those ready to bake ones, cooked perfectly and warm, the pate was a very smooth one but also very crumbly as well. It was very tasty, a definite chicken taste with a good dash of pepper, only slightly worrying was the fact that the grey pate was giving way to a slight red in the middle. The only reason I can give for this is that it had been left uncovered for a while or out of the fridge. There is of course never enough bread so I was reduced to eating the rest of it with the lettuce leaves as I dislike the rest of the salad, the pate was polished off on both sides of the table. At this point in the proceedings I rather unexpectedly received a phone call which informed me I was to become and aunt for the first time, I give no apology for the rather large squeal I gave as well as the rather loudish 'Oh my God' which was probably heard by most users in the pub! Suddenly remembering my manners I went outside the pub. On my return I was greeted again by a good old stare from the dragon on her perch, I apologised and explained. Now how many of you out there would say congratulations when someone told you this? Not her, I just got a flat out stare, it was frankly quite embarrassing and definitely starting to change my view on the place. Thankfully I began to realise that it wasn't just me, she was rude and uninterested in anyone coming in, even those who appeared to be regulars, put it this way, I doubt whether any of the passing trade customers would bother coming back. Suitably chastened I hurried back to my seat where my dinner was being placed on the table. And rather magnificent it looked as well, a hugely large Yorkshire pudding with a golf ball sized bit f stuffing in it. It managed to hide the three roast potatoes underneath which were sprinkled with what looked like rosemary on it. The meat was on the bottom of the plate and it was gloriously covered in gravy. Thankfully they didn't fall into this fad of just pouring the gravy into the Yorkshire pudding which does nothing but make the Yorkshire soggy, and the potato doesn't start to soak up the gravy. Accompanying this was a dish of carrot and swede mash, sweetcorn and peas and thinly sliced cabbage. They obviously pay attention to the look of their food here, as with the starter it was presented very nicely. The Yorkshire was perfectly crispy, fluffy and light, the potatoes mirrored this with that excellent taste of rosemary which complimented rather than overpowered them, which was perfect for me as I dislike too much rosemary. My partner interjected at this point with a request for horseradish which he loves. Forget those awful longlife sachets of it you can get, there was so much it nearly filled a gravy boat, as usual he poured plenty out and I was amused to see him sweat through it as he acknowledged that it was home-made and quite powerful. The gravy was obviously home made as well, very beefy and not thick and slightly artificial like Bisto. At this point however I was having my doubts about the meat. There was 2 slices of beef and 2 slices of pork, and the slices were thin and cut exactly the same, even to the size. Missing as well was any hint of fat or crackling on either of them, how many people here have cooked a roast and managed to get the meats completely free of those, in particular the pork. I'm not convinced this what meat from joints bought in then cooked and carved, I actually think it was beef and pork that it ready cooked and carved and that you just heat up and looked exactly like the stuff my sister buys in for her sandwich bar, the lack of a strong flavour goes someway towards the evidence proving this. This I actually found really disappointing, after all the meat is the most important bit of the meal, I might expect it from Wetherspoons but not from a pub which boasts about the chefs home-made produce. Didnt stop me eating it though! We didn't make it as far as that Dessert board though plenty on it looked pretty nice, warm Chocolate Fudge Cake, Banoffee Pie, Whiskey and Marmalade Bread and Butter Pudding and several more, we were just stuffed full of pate, Yorkshires and potatoes. Nor unfortunately did we see anyone else order one so I cant even give the slightest hint of what they were like, neither did we sit and have coffee from their super duper coffee machine. Paying the bill was the usual blank stare, in fact she was decent enough to put the card in the machine and then ignore it whilst serving others. Eventually a young woman who I had seen behind the bar earlier but was now on the Dragons perch rolled her eyes in the Dragons direction and asked my partner to pass her the machine, pressed a button and gave my partner the receipt along with a quick thank you. The Dragon did her decided best to ignore us and the others she was serving. Even my partner sniggered about her which is most unlike her. The rest of the staff however were lovely and very helpful, the barman mentioned earlier had changed and was sat by the bar also trying to ignore the Dragons behaviour, the blonde woman looked enough like the Landlady to be her daughter, she and he were just reduced to giving embarrassed smiles. Strangely the Dragon looked like a cross between Bet Lynch and Ena Sharples! The young waitresses were lovely and very professional, checking our meals were ok and getting extras if we needed them. The place was also spotlessly clean, every bit polished and swept. All the plates, glasses and cutlery were perfectly clean, although I'm always a bit suspicious that when they roll the silverware in napkins and seal it with a bit of water at the corner, I'm hoping it is actually water! It was a pleasant enough meal but not pleasant enough that we would deliberately return, or even necessarily stop if we go that way again. The food was good, but I probably wouldnt have the roast meat again. What would definitely do it and has probably done it to many others is the attitude of that Landlady, there's a saying about looks conveying a 1000 words, hers were saying don't bother me, you're all a bunch of annoying peasants and I'd be much happier if you all just left so I can carry on my miserableness by myself. A slight exaggeration? I wish, she managed to make me feel uncomfortable and I don't appreciate that from someone who is expecting someone like me to keep her business going. It's a pity because it's a really nice little pub with some of the most beautiful scenery I've seen, the perfect place to go for a drive and then sit and have a cold drink or a spot of lunch whilst looking at it. There's plenty of others along that road though and I'll try one of them before returning here. Read the complete review |
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The Woolpack (Weston, Staffordshire)
by katygriff We live right by Weston so it is of no surprise that we spend a lot of time here at the Woolpack. You can find this pub here: The Green, Weston, Staffordshire, ST18 0JH. Now Weston itself is a lovely little village in Staffordshire. It has a huge green running right through across the main road through the ... village. On the green is the Woolpack so as you can imagine on a lovely warm day it is great to take the kids to and let them run around on the green, there is even a park for them to go to. The Woolpack looks extremely charming and exactly like the picture here on dooyoo. It is on two levels so was obviously two houses at one point and the left side has beautiful pitched dormer windows. It looks like an inviting country pub. There is a decent sized car park at the back but if you get stuck you can always park by the green as there is always somewhere to go. Now there are tables at the front of the Woolpack with parasols but I prefer to go into the beer garden which has beautiful blossom trees everywhere if you go in the spring/summer season. It is so quiet sitting there that it is our pub of choice on a sunny day. Inside it looks extremely traditional with the patterned carpets, small little snugs where you can sit and the windows with diamonds on them. It is quite dark but it just adds to the cozy feel to the place. The chairs are wooden but extremely comfortable and the best seat I think is opposite the bar when you walk in as it is a huge window seat which Lottie loves to look out of. Yes this is a child friendly pub too!!! Now the food is your typical pub grub. I always tend to go for Gammon but last time I had a chicken burger which was yummy. They also do 2 meals for £10 so it is worth looking at that menu. Im not going to tell you its the most amazing food ever but it is pub grub and as long as that is what you expect you wont be disappointed. The bar is pretty well stocked and I haven't requested anything yet that they haven't been able to fulfil. The prices there are quite average. Our meal with drinks and puddings came to just under £30 which I think is not too bad. In conclusion though I think the Woolpack has a great friendly atmosphere. The beer garden is perfect, the setting is perfect and the indoors are just traditional and cozy. The staff have always been friendly and helpful to me which is all you can ask for and I think if you work with such nice surroundings then why wouldn't you be lovely. If you want somewhere you are guaranteed nice food and a nice atmosphere too then you can't go wrong with the Woolpack. Kate. Read the complete review |
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The Golden Lion (Southwick, Hampshire)
by frangliz A few months ago, we ventured into the Golden Lion in the Hampshire village of Southwick in the hope of having Sunday lunch there. Alas, the dining room was full, so it wasn't to be. My son's partner grew up in Southwick and knew that the pub would serve us a good meal, and there had been an excellent review of the place in Portsmouth's ... local paper. We decided that we would try again soon and would book a table. When my younger son announced he was coming for the weekend, it seemed like the perfect opportunity, so I rang a couple of days beforehand and reserved a table for 1pm on the Saturday. The Golden Lion's claim to fame is that it was used as the officers' mess in the run up to D-Day when the leaders of the Allied Forces were stationed at Southwick House. The plaques on the front and rear walls informs visitors of this, adding that Montgomery confined himself to grapefruit juice and left Eisenhower to the beer. We went inside and informed the bar staff that we had booked a table. To get to the dining room, you have to walk through the public bar and also through the lounge. I was impressed by the lounge area with its comfortable chairs and alcove at one end decorated with horsebrasses and copper pots. It did look inviting. We continued into the dining room. This seats around twenty-four people altogether, at tables for two, four or six people. It was about half full that lunchtime, so even if we hadn't booked we would have found a table. It is a traditional building with oak beams in the ceiling, but it has been renovated quite recently. There was plenty of space between tables. We took our seats and each ordered a fruit juice. We weren't given a starter menu, although we were told that soup of the day was asparagus. I presume the rest of the starters are served at dinner. There are chargrilled asparagus spears, home cured sea trout, Hampshire ham hock hash cake and smoked haddock and spring onion fishcakes, all at £6.25. None of us wanted soup, so we looked at the main courses on the lunch menu. My younger son decided on the 9 oz minted lamb burger, served with smoked bacon, mature cheddar, beef tomato, gherkins, baby leaves, a sesame bun and chunky chips. A steak burger with the same accompaniments is also on the menu. The other three of us all went for Thatcher's cider battered cod fillet with homemade tartare sauce, mushy peas, chunky chips and lemon. The burgers and fish and chips are all £11.25. Other lunchtime dishes include rump or sirloin steak, chicken breast and salmon steak, priced between £14.95 and £16.55. For vegetarians, there is a Provence roasted vegetable and mozzarella pithivier with creamed spinach, roasted red pepper and tomato coulis (£12.95). If you don't think your main course is going to satisfy your appetite, you can order a side of chunky chips, buttered new potatoes or herb garden salad at £2.45 each. There are a few additional mains on the dinner menu, namely pan-fried breast of guinea fowl, black king prawn tagliatelle, roasted Hampshire pork belly, grilled Brixham sea bream fillet and roasted British rump of lamb, all £14.95 except for the sea bream, which is £15.95. It was a while before our food was served, not too long though, and we weren't in a hurry so we didn't mind. The lamb burger came out first and did look impressive; it was served open with the bacon atop the burger on one half of the bun and the tomato and gherkins on the other. The chips were extremely chunky and were arranged in rectangular layers. Our fish and chips came straight after that, served on heavy oval plate. Again the chips were in layers with the fish on top, and a tiny jug either side, one of tartare sauce and the other of mushy peas. We were asked if we would like any sauces, but none of us wanted any. A few minutes later we were all in agreement that the food was extremely good, in particular the fish, but also the burger. The tartare sauce was certainly superior to any I've ever had before, and the chips, although chunky, were beautifully crisp on the outside. They were perhaps a little salty, and I found I had to drink a lot of water later that afternoon, but that would be my only complaint. I left a few as I had a feeling we might want to sample something from the dessert menu. All desserts are £6.25 and include warm Seville orange sponge, dark chocolate tart, and strawberry and marshmallow mousse. None of us felt we had room for any of them, but three of us liked the sound of the Forest of Bere ice cream at £1.45 per scoop. There are six flavours to choose from; my elder son decided on two scoops of butterscotch, his partner wanted one of butterscotch and one of chocolate, and I asked for one of lemon curd and one of strawberry. The other flavours were vanilla and lemon sorbet. Those who don't have a sweet tooth can choose five cheeses, which are served with crackers, grapes, celery and farmhouse butter. The cheeses include leek and onion, Hampshire rose and Old Sarum, and most come from Salisbury. The ice cream is served in little bowls, one for each scoop, on a wooden board that has spaces for three bowls. I should be honest here and explain that our waitress was in fact my son's partner's younger sister. He decided to ask her what would happen if he wanted to order four scoops of ice cream, to which her response was "I would tell you you're fat!" She then left us to enjoy what we had ordered. Murmurings from the other side of the table declared that the butterscotch flavour was wonderful. I had been looking forward to the lemon curd in particular as it was unusual, but I think I would have to say that the strawberry ice cream was even better. One to look out for. The only problem I would have with the Golden Lion as a place is that you have to go outside, if only for a few yards, to get to the toilets. I wouldn't appreciate that in cold, wet weather. There is a notice on the door to say that they are not for general public use. The ladies', I have to say, was extremely clean and well appointed, and it appeared to have baby changing facilities. Our bill came to just under £60; we paid by card and left a tip in cash. Having admitted that our waitress was a family member, I still have to say that she gave us excellent service, and I watched her at other tables too. She is an asset to the Golden Lion. We were all impressed by our lunch and I hope that there will be opportunities to go back in the future. You do need a car to get to Southwick; it is very close to Fareham and just a few miles from Portsmouth, over Portsdown Hill. Just behind the Golden Lion is Southwick Brewhouse which sells beer and also houses a Victorian brewery museum. On a fine day, I can recommend crossing the nearby golf course and taking a walk alongside Southwick Lake. There were some children at a table for six next to us, so the Golden Lion is a place that welcomes families. For excellent food in a quiet setting, it would take a bit of beating. Read the complete review |
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