The Foaming Jug, Oaken

The Foaming Jug is a typically quaint and welcoming semi-rural pub just a short drive from Wolverhampton.

One of the Vintage Inns chain, its nestles alongside the A41 - a little noisy if you wish to enjoy the beer garden, but not noticeable once inside.

Arriving for a Wednesday lunch, my partner and I decided on a table next to a large open fire as the day was cold and the interior not overly warm.

The pub was pretty full, with a variety of diners, from pensioners to young couples.

A choice of specials, from soup at £2.95 to chargrilled tuna steak priced £9.50, was added to the menu which offers the usual pub classics - sandwiches, grills, fish of the day, starters and light bites, salads, main meals and Sunday roasts.

We decided one course would be enough for us so I went for braised English pork, stuffed with spiced pears, wrapped in prosciutto with a caramelised apple gravy, mash and green beans, priced at £8.95.

The flavours were complimentary and tasty but the mash was a bit on the dry side and even had a hard crust underneath.

It was not entirely unpleasant and may even have been deliberate but the meal could definitely have benefitted from more of the gravy.

My partner opted for the oven-baked sweet red pepper and goats cheese with plum tomato drizzled with rocket pesto and toasted pine nuts, priced £4.25, plus a side order of bread, 50p.

It went down well but the salad could have been more creative than just a pile of iceberg lettuce.

She was disappointed at the lack of choice for vegetarians - just a bowl of pasta, and a goats cheese filo parcel special as alternatives - it seemed like a real case of paying lip service rather than offering thoughtful variety, although the portion was large for a light bite.

The meals arrived very quickly - in fact, worryingly so.

The bill, taking into account one pint of Staropramen lager, £3, and half a Strongbow, £1.35, came to a very reasonable £18.05.

All in all, I had mixed feelings about The Foaming Jug. It was nice enough but I expected more for the price and it has the potential to step up a level.

Nick Pritchard

Holyhead Road,

Oaken, near Codsall

Tel: 01902 841921