I've tried, and failed, to get into the White Cart before. It's in Busby, almost in the countryside, and has been for a century and a half. The reason for me failing to get in last time was not the state of my trainers, an inebriated friend or an imaginary private function, but because it was being renovated. Now that's complete and it's not a bad job, there's loads of old, unnecessarily gnarly wood holding up nothing in particular - but that reminds me a bit of a Vintage Inn and on a lazy Sunday lunchtime that suits me just fine.
We were almost the youngest there when we walked in, although a couple of young families did turn up latterly. It's exactly the kind of place Steph S. would like, it would be all pipe and slippers except for the smoking ban and the fact that it was chucking it down outside.
The menu is mostly classic old inn fayre: steak pies, Sunday roasts & burgers, but there were enough other options to keep me happy. I went for the Scallops (seared with black pudding, asparagus and a mustard sauce) to start, and the Slow-cooked Lamb Shoulder (with chive mash and wilted spinach, and a roasted red onion, bacon, mushroom and red wine sauce).
My partner went for the Devilled Whitebait and the ole Smoked Rib of Beef & Wings. I admit I was pretty sceptical about this dish as I was fairly sure that cows don't actually fly, but I couldn't wait to see what turned up.
The service was really good I have to say, very attentive, very friendly and efficient. The starters arrived and my scallops were just a little disappointing, they were slightly over-seared, and the crispy prosciutto was just unnecessary and distracting as far as I was concerned, also the black pudding was just slightly dry. The asparagus were large and cooked to my liking, but the honey and mustard sauce was just a touch drab and in no danger whatsoever of overpowering the dish. It was fine, but not amongst the best scallop dishes I've had.
The mains turned up promptly enough too and they were huge, and I was relieved to see that the beef wings were in fact just sticky duck wings. Phew! We started tucking in to the serious-sized portions and to be honest it was really nice. The beef and the lamb was cooked superbly and the accompaniments were well executed too. Lots of flavour in a very British way.
I almost want to give it 5 stars, but the music was a bit Bruce Hornsby, the atmosphere a bit staid and the starter was not brilliant, so a four! read more