Parsons nose.
Originally, a few hundred years ago in England, the pygostyle was called the pope's nose; I very much doubt that this gastropub would want to re-name to the original irreverent phrase for the derrière of a bird.
Four of us dined here, with a log fire burning. It also is exactly what it claims to be: a gastropub. We've been here a few times and the food is usually memorable for the right reasons so we brought friends along who hadn't been before.
On my last visit I'd forgotten my phone so I couldn't photograph the exquisite duck pasta I had (which is still on the menu and one of our guests chose and found it delicious too).
This time, with phone available I've provided pictures, or as an American chum calls this practice: food porn. I don't see it that way, but I suppose it takes all sorts.
Our servers were very affable and friendly. I started with the chicken liver parfait, which came on sourdough toast with a lip - smacking spiced apple style chutney. The chicken liver was smooth, light, mousse like, and delicious. In fact delicious sums up all the food here.
I don't know how it happened, but parfait, which just means perfect, that was normally associated with sweet, cream - based desserts, has come to describe savoury food.
My wife had a salmon tart to start and declared her food as lovely.
Now I've a confession; I've never before eaten venison, so when I saw a venison ragù main, with favourites like pasta, parmesan, pine nuts and raisins I thought; sold. It was really very tasty indeed, with deep, complex rich flavours and I enjoyed the venison, but this dish would just be as good without it.
My only niggle was food temperature: the food should have been much warmer and the bowl too should have been really hot. Parmesan crisps would be an added flavour hit.
My wife had the battered fish & chip main. This was delicious fresh haddock, superb chunky chips and mushy peas. These weren't just any old mushy peas they were perfect mushy peas. If the fish was cooked with the option of tempura-style batter it would be truly wonderful.
We all settled for coffees at the end then as darkness fell and autumn chill pinched we departed for Belfast to hear Andrea Bocelli.
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