Red Lion, Holt Heath

Intrigued to try something totally new at a pub restaurant I opted for a Lebanese dish on the menu at The Red Lion at Holt.

It not only looked delicious but the chicken on skewers was a melt-in-the-mouth experience.

Chicken "chiche Taouk" aubergine baba ghannouche fattouche salad includes marinated zesty chunks of chicken with lemon, herbs and garlic on skewers with smoked aubergine puree and tossed salad.

It offered something totally new for my jaded palate and was a real delight I hope to experience again.

At £5.50 it was the perfect starter although I had to admit that the generous portion might to some have seemed like a main meal.

Martin decided to order the pea and ham soup at £3.95 and described it as having a "creamy and subtle taste".

We had been told by manageress Julie Millward that we might have to wait a little while as a party of 16 had just ordered.

The menu also said that because the chef "took pride in cooking meals from fresh that customers were advised the restaurant offered quality and not speed in the preparation of meals".

Staff were courteous and friendly and we pondered on how long the wait might be but found that after only a brief chat over a glass of wine in the very comfortable and welcoming surroundings of the pub restaurant, that our order was taken.

The chairs are comfortable and the restaurant offers a delightful mix of old-fashioned cottage-style charm mixed with the light and airy feel of a New York bistro.

I think it was something about the atmosphere, which reminded me of someone's cosy dining room. Everyone who was in the room seemed happily engaged in chatting and unaware of others around them and it seemed that within no time at all the dishes began to appear from the kitchen.

Martin chose the spaghetti with tomatoes, spinach, mushroom, parmesan and garlic bread at £8.95 and for once said it was cooked exactly as he liked it with a drizzle of oil and with a slightly sweet taste.

There was also the choice of Thai spice chicken, Greek-style lamb shank, pork and leek sausages on Stilton mash, mixed grilled fish, panfried trio of pigeon breast on braised leeks with whole grain mustard sauce and Red Lion Game Pie.

For my main meal I decided to choose another unusual dish, sticky loin of pork with root vegetables.

It arrived with a side dish of boiled potatoes and I quickly demolished the helping.

The desserts proved too tempting to ignore and over another glass of Australian Shiraz I agreed to try the strawberry and frangipane tart with cream while Martin ordered chocolate puddle pudding.

When it arrived he asked where the puddle was and was delighted to discover the trickle of chocolate from inside the centre of the dish.

It was a meal to remember and with a total bill of £47.20 for the food and two large glasses of wine and a pint of Guinness we thought was real value for money and a true eating out experience. This is the real find of the year for anyone prepared to drive only a few miles out of Kidderminster.

For anyone tempted to follow in my footsteps the restaurant is offering two courses for £10 at lunchtimes Mondays to Fridays and is planning a gourmet evening on April 7.

ADDRESS

The Red Lion, Witley Road, Holt Heath, Worcestershire

Tel: 01905 620236

By Sue Smith