Lunch at The River & Rail, Hampton Loade

My mother and I were running late to have lunch on a Thursday in November so decided to go to a pub, near to her house that I’d never been to before. When we pulled into the car park it wasn’t encouraging as we were greeted by a dated, ugly 1990’s building close to the river bank (wasn’t helped by the fact it was overcast, damp and cold).
Passing through the front entrance the situation got worse when we were confronted by an equally tired and drab interior from the same era. It was a symphony of different shades of ‘poo’ brown (1990’s Black Country chic). Added to this we were the only customers. We nearly turned around but it was getting too late to find somewhere else still open. The saving grace for the interior was a great big roaring log burner, kicking out loads of heat and that the lighting was low enough to disguise the worst of the decor.
Friendly enough waitress handed us the menus and things started to look up. On the surface it looked like your bog standard pub menu but they were describing dishes as homemade and not too many options, which is normally a good sign. From experience I find the more on offer means the less likely it will be any good. There is no way any small to medium sized eating place can keep freshly made ingredients for lots of different dishes. Normally a large menu leads to ‘ping, ping’ food which has been hastily reheated.
I chose their home-made burger and chip’s at £8.95 and my mum had Fish and Chip’s at £10.25.
Encouragingly the food didn’t come out super fast despite being the only customers (also the waitress got the timing right between giving us enough time to order and not hurrying us). Both of us were very impressed with the food. My burger was succulent with plenty of fresh garnish and the skinny chips were perfect. Equally my mother’s fish was cooked just right. The portions were the right size (too often I’ve had pub food where more is left and you end up leaving half of it). Nothing tasted as if it was straight out of a freezer.
This is not gourmet dining but simple food done very well. Definitively worth a visit if you can cope with the interior. Cheap as well.
www.theriverandrail.net

Habberley Cider

Just spent a beautiful day with friends walking up to the Iron Age hill fort on Earls Hill near Pontesbury. Stunning views of the north Shropshire plains and it managed not to rain. On the way back to the car we dropped into the Mytton Arms in Habberley (SY5 0TP) and I tried the still cider which is made in the village. Given it is only sold here (according to one of the locals) and in small quantities I was expecting something on the harsh side but was pleasantly surprised. It was smooth, medium dry with a slight hint of acidity and very easy to drink. It is 8% alcohol but didn’t taste heavy so don’t get lulled into drinking too much. At £3 a pint it is also a bit of a bargain. You can also purchase a wine bottle of the cider to take out at £4.

The Mytton Arms is a bit of a rarity; a genuine rural village pub which hasn’t had the dreaded gastro pub/Farrow and Ball makeover. Also, given the accents, most people in there were actually from Shropshire which is unique in this day and age. No food just good real ale (Three Tuns 3X). Please keep this pub a secret

Guest Blog: Origins Restaurant at Shrewsbury College

It’s a blog, it’s by a guest. Yes it’s my first guest blog. Thanks to its author who, not surprisingly, wants to remain anonymous and have as much distance from this blog as possible.

A couple of weeks ago, during my full time working week, I took a lunch hour. And in that hour I dined out on three courses.

A friend had invited me to Origins restaurant. This is a purpose-built commercial restaurant within Shrewsbury College, where the students wait on tables and work in the kitchens.

With three choices for each course we both chose goats cheese with poached pear as our starter. My main course was a vegetable tart – brightly coloured vegetables sitting in a filo pastry basket with a side order of dauphinoise potatoes, broccoli and carrots, all cooked to perfection. Dessert is optional, but I went for the lemon option (can’t remember what they called it) but it was exquisite. A tall glass of creamy lemon with a small bowl of fresh raspberries. A perfect sweet and sharp combination. Irresistible.

“the lemon option (can’t remember what they called it) but it was exquisite”

This isn’t a light lunch and so we waddled out of the restaurant, only to sit back in front of a computer. I would recommend a walk up the Wrekin as a better option, but we had had a fabulous lunch, served by students who were clearly very nervous but did a great job.

Lunch is truly amazing value at £8.95. My advice would be to give yourself more than an hour as service is a bit slow, but no one seems in a rush when the food is this good.

Number 4 Butcher Row, Shrewsbury

It’s mid October and myself and two partners in crime went to this eatery for the first time for lunch. Very busy but we were dealt with efficiently and courteously. I had a chicken wrap, Ho had fish finger sandwich and skinny fries and ML had a dish of bacon, black pudding, poached eggs and salad. All of it was good and with the drinks and tip it came to £10 each.
They’ve used the limited space of the old building imaginatively. Good people watching place.
This is one I need to revisit for an evening meal to get a better idea as I suspect by looking at their menu this could be very good.

They don’t have a website, but this is their facebook page

Cafe AleOli at Shrewsbury Market

Visited Cafe AleOli in mid August with a couple of friends for an impromptu lunch. This is a new Tapas cafe which has taken over the spot previously taken by the Arabic restaurant. This is what Tapas should be about; simple, unfussy, fresh and very tasty. We had 6 dishes between 3 of us and a soft drink each and worked out at about £6.50 per head. We kept to the cheaper dishes (which are the majority) and they varied between £2 and £3.50 each. We had the following:

• Pan y AleOli – Basket of freshly, homemade breads with Garlic mayonnaise and Tomato Salsa dips
• Meatballs and tomato sauce.
• Garlic Mushrooms
• Patatas Brava (mini roast potato’s with a spicy tomato dip)
• Chicken in Garlic and Thyme sauce
• Whitebait

None of the dishes could be faulted.  Give it a try and your feedback!

PS. You can see a sample menu by clicking here

Note: does anyone know what happened to the Arabic restaurant?  I’ve heard a rumour they are going to set up a restaurant in town and are currently doing outside catering.

 

The Glutton Club, Shrewsbury

24 September – have just been for the early bird menu (5 till 6:30pm) at the Glutton Club by Welsh bridge with M.  Only 3 starters or mains to choose from but it was very impressive for the price.  £17.50 for two courses and £21 for three.

I had mussells in white wine, cream and garlic for a starter which was just right and the portion was as big as other resturants where I’ve had this as a main.  M had chicken liver pate with toast; again very good but a more reasonable portion more conversant with a starter.

We both plumped for the Sea Bream on top of a bed of potato and tomato salsa with steamed mini broccoli.  Again just the right sized portion and cooked to perfection.  Cannot comment on the wine as we were on soft drinks.  Service was pleasant and efficient.  Anyone else got anything to report on this restaurant?