Freemasons at Wiswell

The Freemasons at Wiswell spent a long time right at the top of my 'places to eat' list before I was able to find the time to visit.

It ticks all the boxes of somewhere I would love - hidden away in a small village within the Ribble Valley, serving local produce and highly recommended.

The pub has been recognised as a great food destination and was named the 'Top Pub in the UK' by The Good Food Guide.

It is classically rustic inside but also has a modern feel.  This is a country pub with a contemporary twist and that is reflected in the food.

Complimentary Bread:

Everyone loves it when the waiter brings across some free bread to get you started.  However, not everywhere does bread like they do here.  

Warm rolls, soaked with beef fat and covered in salt and rosemary.

You don't get better bread than that.  

Organic Egg:

Crispy Hen's Egg, "Gammon and Pineapple". 

Hannah is a sucker for any sort of egg based starter after she fell in love with the Hearth of the Ram's Scotch Egg.  The runny yolk of the Freemason egg had her smiling.

Lamb:

Kofta, BBQ Lettuce, Miso Aubergine, Mint and Yoghurt.  

I will always go for anything with BBQ on the menu and I wasn't disappointed.  Subtle flavours that hit the spot but not too sweet to overpower the flavour of the meat.

Aged Beef:

Roast Sirloin, Yorkshire Pudding, Duck Fat Potatoes, Cauliflower Cheese, Roast Beef Juices.

I think the images speak for themselves. 

WOW.

The cauliflower cheese was scrumptious.  

Quite a few restaurants and people up north seem to love it with a roast, but before I moved up here I had never heard of putting it with a traditional Sunday lunch.

Perhaps it is a northern thing but whoever came up with the idea was a bloody genius. 

Fish of the Day:

Cod, Southport Potted Shrimps, Chipped Potatoes.

I rarely order seafood but after my father-in-law decided to try the cod, it triggered some serious food envy.  

Next time, I may have to go for fish instead of meat!

Lemon:

Cheesecake and Vanilla Ice Cream.

Neatly presented and fresh enough to cleanse my palate.  A really good way to end a fantastic meal. 

Michel Cluizel:

Dark Chocolate Mousse and Passion Fruit.

The strange name for this dessert relates to the source of the chocolate.  Based in Normandy, Michel Cluizel have been in business since 1948 and their product was put to good use in the kitchen at Freemasons.

The Ribble Valley is full of wonderful places to eat, especially if you like local produce.

The Freemasons at Wiswell matches the quality I associate with the area and is the perfect place to go if you want a drive into the countryside followed by some high quality food.

You don't end up as the best pub in the UK for nothing! 

Check out my other Ribble Valley blogs here.

The Garden Kitchen, Bolton-by-Bowland by Hannah

Last week it was my birthday. Typically I had tons of lovely things planned on my days off work but I ended up with full on flu, so I spent the whole week in a delusional stuper freaking people out with my insane ramblings.

By Tuesday, I'd gotten so bored of watching box sets and dreaming about zombies (the Walking Dead has a lot to answer for!) it was time to break out of the house.

I had been wanting to go up to the Forest of Bowland for a while, it's truly beautiful this time of year and I find it so relaxing. My secret pleasure is driving around the countryside picking out my dream house. This activity never works out how I want it to... I usually end up sulking by the end of it after consulting with the Rightmove app. I was either going to have to win the lottery or work for the next 200 years to buy said dream house!

There are loads of great places to eat in this area, such as The Duke of York at Grindleton, but our chosen pit stop today was the Garden Kitchen at Holden Clough Nursery.

You may think I'm a bit obsessed with garden centres seeing as the majority of my blogs seem to be about them, but the thing is, I've never eaten at a garden centre and been disappointed. They do great food!

The afternoon tea at the Garden Kitchen is amazing. The afternoon tea concept has become increasingly popular and one could argue if you've had one, you've had them all. However, at the Garden Kitchen it's that little bit different which makes it way more special than the average. 

My eyes were on stalks when our waitress brought it in. Served on a quirky picnic table, there were lots of different goodies to sink your teeth into. Even a little glass wellington boot filled with banana milkshake!

Today was the Easter Special picnic. For just under £20 each you get lots of food, a pot of tea and a glass of prosecco. There were plenty of comments from the tables around us of how lovely it was, which says a lot. It's great for grown ups and for kids.

Overall, the food was excellent and I really can't fault it. Whilst the service was a tad on the slow side, I'd like to mention the guy manning the front of house as he was very polite and welcoming despite being completely rushed off his feet.

Inside the restaurant there is a small gift shop with locally brewed ciders, jams/sauces/chutneys and lots of other unusual food stuffs which would make great foodie gifts. To my delight they even sell a variety of different flavoured Lancashire Bombs, my most favourite local cheese. If you haven't tried it, then you don't know what you're missing! They are mostly available at farmers markets and artisan shops in the Lancashire area.

The garden centre itself is small but has a lovely selection of plants and shrubs. It even holds its own bespoke gardening courses and design services by John Foley who won BBC Gardener of the Year.

The whole day out really cheered me up and more than made up for my crappy week stuck at home. We were supposed to come to the Garden Kitchen on Good Friday but managed to re-arrange until I was feeling better. I'm so glad we did because the weather was gorgeous, so much so that people were sat out in the sunshine. 

It was a fantastic opportunity to explore and get some breathtaking pictures. It makes me very proud that Lancashire is my home!

Now I better get saving for that dream house...

The Duke of York, Grindleton

I love heading north.

A short drive from Bolton gets you off the beaten track and into the Ribble Valley which is one of Britain's hidden gems.

Set within the Forest of Bowland, there are plenty of small Lancashire villages to explore, breathtaking countryside to enjoy and a wealth of great places to eat with local produce in abundance throughout the Ribble Valley. If you're into Game of Thrones, think Winterfell.

Last Friday our family ended up at a beautiful country pub not too far outside of Clitheroe.  Located in the pretty village of Grindleton is The Duke of York where the modern decor and friendly service made us feel so welcome it was like we were in the comfort of our own home. 

We were not rushed and had the pleasure to enjoy a meal of locally sourced, seasonal food that many Ribble Valley eateries are becoming known for.

We were given a very friendly reception on arrival and I was recommended the Wyld Wood cider which went down a treat. I had to have it, given I'd married into the wild Wood family.

The ladies opted for the Summer Fizz which was a mix of Prosecco and raspberry liquor. 

As we settled with our drinks we were presented with freshly baked white and brown bread served warm in a loaf tin.

Pork Belly and Black Pudding Scotch Egg with Apple Salad:
To start, Hannah and her Dad ordered the pork and black pudding scotch egg dish. A small runny quail's egg was hidden in the middle of this succulent meaty ball and it came with a crunchy crackling and a fresh salad covered by a julienne of apple.

Lancashire Cheese, Caramelised Onion and Apple Soufflé with Beetroot Salad:
A light and cheesy dish served in a cast iron frying pan. My Mother-in-Law was delighted with it. When we return I may even order this dish for myself as it seemed so impressive.

Crispy Duck and Chorizo Salad with Bacon Lardons and Plum Sauce:
My starter was huge and allowed me to see if duck and chorizo sit well together with their strong flavours.  I can assure you that they certainly do.  I want this dish again.  Now!

10oz Rib-Eye of Lancashire Beef, Triple Cooked Chips, Rocket and Parmesan, Tomato, Mushrooms and Peppercorn Sauce:
The steak was cooked perfectly rare as I like it and came with a fresh Parmesan and rocket salad.  The mustard mayonnaise that sits alongside the dish was superb, as was the peppercorn sauce which soaked into the crispy chips that came served in a little cone of newspaper!

Char-Grilled Rump of Lamb, Panache of Spring Vegetables, New Potatoes and Lamb Jus:
Surprise, surprise... lamb on the menu so Hannah is having it and so is her Mum. The whole dish was so fresh. The meat was tender and pink and came with new potato discs, a leek, shallot, carrot and fresh beans and tiny onions. The gravy was excellent.

Fillet of Cod with Spinach, Broccoli, Mussels and Tagliatelle:
My father-in-law loves his fish and decided on the cod dish which was perfectly presented.  The mixture of pasta and fish was balanced nicely with the mussels.

Ice Cream Sundae, Sticky Toffee Pudding, Italian Meringue, Ice Cream and Toffee Sauce:
I couldn't manage a dessert and only ordered a carajillo coffee (espresso with brandy). That didn't prevent me from stealing mouthfuls of Hannah's pud though which was rich and luxurious. The sundae was full of gooey sticky toffee squares, chocolate ice cream and on top sat the lightest Italian meringue I have ever tasted.  
Imagine the fluffy insides of a Tunnock's Teacake and you will understand...

Vanilla Créme Brulee, Summer Fruits, Sorbet:
Créme Brulee is a family favourite which always seems to be ordered by at least one person when we go out.  This night was no exception and the presentation of the dish was imaginative.  The sorbet was a welcome accompaniment to refresh the palate.

It was getting dark by the time we left The Duke of York for the enjoyable drive home. The fresh country air was still humid and there was the distinct scent of summer flowers in the air.

We all agreed that it was a meal to remember and it won't be long before we return to a new favourite place to eat.