The White Swan, Fence by Hannah

This weekend we went out for a drive to try somewhere new. I always say if in doubt, drive north... that's where the best hidden gems are at!

There are some amazing places to eat in Fence. We've had some brilliant meals in the past around these parts, but in dire need of a pit stop to feed my baby's hungry tum we stumbled across The White Swan which from the outside looked very unassuming... However, the food was out of this world.

Here is the run down...

Fresh bread and homemade butter

Warm and yummy. The butter was light and mousse like.

Organic glazehill lamb shepherd's pie, glazed shallots

Rich and heart warming, under the mash lay some gorgeously slow cooked lamb in a rich gravy.

Sticky ox-tongue, marrowbone, roots and pickles

Gorgeous meat which contrasted well with the sharp flavours of the roots and pickles.

Dexter beef fillet, red wine sauce, triple cooked chips and Bearnaise sauce

Glazehill organic lamb, roscoff onions, onion and lemon marmalade, wild garlic

Both pieces of meat were to die for, perfectly pink and melt in the mouth. The lamb came with mash and the beef with chips, both with a deep silky gravy.

Yorkshire rhubarb, panacotta, blood orange and sasparilla

A pretty, light and cleansing end to the meal. 

The only minor criticism I had was that the mains didn't come with any greens. However, the meal came with lots of extra bonuses like the bread and homemade butter and some gorgeous homemade truffles at the end so all is forgiven.

We chatted to the people sat next to us who drive an hour from Southport regularly just to eat here. Says it all, it's definitely an eatery worth a long drive.

Quick run down of the facilities. The White Swan were very accommodating seeing as we rolled up unannounced on a Saturday lunchtime with a baby in tow. They have a variety highchairs, the wooden ones and those you strap to a chair with a tray. I didn't spot a kiddies menu but I'd brought my daughter's food with us and in a rush to get her fed I didn't think to ask. There was space for changing in the ladies and we had a little boogie to the music playing in the loos.

Overall we had an unexpected and fabulous lunch out, a really chilled experience and the attention to detail was second to none. The service was excellent, the staff are absolutely lovely.

I'd love to come back to try the tasting menu and the homemade spirits. 

Its no wonder they've won a Michelin Bib Gourmand, Two Rosettes, a place in the Good Food Guide and Lancashire Life Dining Pub of the Year 2016. 

They are having a Lancashire tapas night this month... I hope we can go... sounds like a match made in heaven!

Hearth of the Ram, Ramsbottom

Ramsbottom is nestled in the beautiful Lancashire countryside and Hannah and I find ourselves taking the short drive there from Bolton at least twice a month.

It really is a stunning town and boasts a lot of good places to visit on a day out such as The Chocolate Cafe, steam trains at Ramsbottom Railway Station, a bustling monthly farmers' market and Hearth of the Ram which happens to be our favourite restaurant.

It has gotten to the point now where every weekend I turn to Hannah and suggest we head for Sunday lunch there and today was no different.  Ramsbottom was holding its annual 'Wartime Weekend' but this played only a supporting role to our food.

On Sundays, the Hearth do a special menu with 2 courses for £20.95 or 3 courses for £25.95.  Hannah and I chose to share two starters from the 'Nibbles' section, which are smaller options but are just a little bit special.

We always have to try the 'Hearth of the Ram Scotch Eggs'.  If you end up eating here then please make sure to order them because you won't be disappointed.  They are creatively presented in a little egg box with a crispy outside, a succulent meaty inside and a runny quail's egg surprise in the middle.  

We also decided to try something new so plumped for 'Lancashire Rarebit with Sourdough Soldiers'.  I adore melted cheese but until today I had never ordered a rarebit - I was missing out if they taste anything like this one.  The dish comes with homemade crispy bread soldiers and a side of melted cheese which makes for fun eating.  Perfect if you just want a light bite and a pint or as a small starter if you can't manage three courses.

For main, I ordered the 'Roast Rib of Beef' which comes with a gigantic Yorkshire Pudding, gorgeous vegetables, and crispy and light roast potatoes cooked just the way I like them.  There is also some horseradish sauce to compliment the beef with a velvety smooth veal gravy.  The dish also comes with a cauliflower gratin side.  

Hannah almost chose the beef too but opted for the 'Roast Leg of Lamb' at the last second.  It was a great choice with succulent lamb, a mixture of crunchy and puréed vegetables, creamy mash and a mint and redcurrant jus.  She was more than satisfied, for a second I thought she'd eaten the pattern off the plate.

We left just enough room for dessert... well why not?

I went for the old faithful, chocolate fondant served with banana and peanut brittle and banana ice cream which was light but a satisfying end to a delicious meal.  

My other half had strawberries and cream with a lime cake (posh trifle) and found it both a fresh and beautiful summer dessert.

We were well and truly stuffed.

Having visited the Hearth of the Ram on numerous occasions, I am yet to find a dish I don't love and they were deservingly awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand award in 2014.  Euan and his team always make us feel welcome and can't do enough to make your visit special.

A roast on a Sunday is the law in our family and this is one we always come back for.  

Can't wait to see what next Sunday has in store...