Food review: Shoal Hill Tavern, Cannock

The Shoal Hill Tavern is somewhat of a landmark to those living in and around the Cannock area – so, after having driven past what must have been more than 100 times, we decided to give it a shot.

And we weren't disappointed. We visited the eatery early evening on a Bank Holiday Monday and, as the sun shone across the pub's green garden, groups of families and friends sat drinking on the benches, with their dog leads firmly in hand.

Though it is always a pleasure to see a pub full (especially in the current climate), we did fear the large amount of people outside may mean the place was heaving inside too. Luckily for us, it wasn't too busy at all and we were quickly seated.

One thing to mention at this point is the superb booking system operated by the pub.

No one much likes having to call and book tables when you're off out or in a hurry – and Shoal Hill Tavern has the perfect solution: online booking. It's all really easy and can be done in a matter of seconds by mobile phone, via an operator called Open Table Inc.

For something so simple, my partner and I really felt this was somewhat of a revelation – and quickly came up with a vast number of places we wished would adopt such a system (GP surgeries in particular!).

Anyway, back to the pub.

As we walked into the venue, we were greeted by a bright, lively atmosphere with rustic wooden furniture and floors. Each windowsill boasted a colourful potted flower – and each table a small cactus-like plant.

Sat on a table near a window, we were able to take in the picturesque, sprawling views of the lush countryside outside – though we did have to hide away from the sun somewhat, as the light was hurting my partner's eyes.

"Please can we have the blinds closed a little?" we asked a waitress as she passed by our table.

She sighed, begrudgingly obliged and replied: "In a few weeks time it will be gone and you'll all be crying when you can't see it any more – and I'll be on the beach in Thailand."

An odd and slightly off-putting response – given we'd been in the establishment all of five minutes.

Luckily we soon had another waitress, this time a young girl, come over to take our orders who couldn't have been more polite and personable. Communication, however, was not her strong point.

The Shoal Hill Tavern at Cannock has a few great offers during the week.

The one we had come for was their weekly two mains for £20, which takes place every Monday. We had arrived at 5pm, perused the menu and ordered the food, before I double checked we were entitled to the offer – only to be told it didn't start until 6pm as it was a Bank Holiday.

The menu on the whole is very reasonable, so the offers aren't an absolute must in order to make it affordable, but a little communication here from the staff would have avoided the confusion.

Similarly, I only discovered the pub had a specials board after we had ordered our food and eaten our starters. . . The staff could make diners aware of any extra food that is available. Complaints now aside, I can discuss my favourite topic – the food.

And my word, were we impressed.

My other half and I selected the Charcuterie sharer; a wooden platter boasting rows of delicious cured, cooked meats, criss-crossed tiny gherkins and a small, glass pot of garlic infused olives (which were incredibly moreish). It also featured a juicy, tasty row of alternated crunchy, fresh slices of beef tomato and creamy mozzarella.

A wonderful, plentiful selection of flavours and textures – and at just £9.95 a reasonably-priced starter for two, which we would most certainly enjoy again.

Now, on to the mains.

My partner opted for the home roasted ham with egg and chips from the lunchtime menu. When it arrived, I instantly remarked on the fact his plate had no vegetables (something which would have bothered me).

"I know," he grinned cheekily, shovelling mounds of tasty chips into his mouth.

"That's how I like it."

Other than the lack of greens, his plate was stuffed with food – a huge amount given that it cost just £6.55.

And my man was more than happy – happy man, happy life (or something like that).

His home roasted ham was absolutely delicious – a melt-in-the-mouth, moist meat which left me rather envious, despite the fact I couldn't leave my own meal alone.

The chips, again, were tasty and moist – homecooked, it appeared, and utterly irresistible.

For my meal I selected an item from the evening menu: The Pork Belly Stack. Now I'm a huge fan of pork belly and this really wasn't the best I've ever tried. In my view it was a little dry and, upon first glance, there didn't appear to be a great deal of it.

This should have put me off my dinner, but the remainder of the dish meant it was entirely irresistible. Beneath the top layer of pork was a creamy sweet potato and normal potato mash, which covered another layer of pork; which, this time, was juicy and tasty.

Under that was a layer of deep green, curly kale – and the whole meal swam in a mouth-wateringly thick, creamy sauce complete with flecks of chopped leek.

Not a combination I would have naturally put together. I don't normally even like kale. But this dish was truly delicious – and a meal I would have again without a second's thought.

Despite the satisfying starter and hearty main, I couldn't resist a dessert and opted for the raspberry and white chocolate cheesecake.

Though the base of the cheesecake was not as crunchy as I would have liked (I suspected the dessert may in fact have been frozen), the cheesy bit was creamy and smooth – with a lovely level of sweetness, which meant I left satisfied rather than feeling sick.

And – seeing as the bill came to just £44.50 – we left with our bellies full and our wallets happy.

For those, like us, who enjoy a good deal – and/or live music – here are the pub's weekly offers:

Mondays: Two main meals from the restaurant menu for £20, plus 50 per cent discount on a bottle of wine (exclusions apply).

'Seasonal' Tuesdays: Main meal and a dessert for £13 from the pub's seasonal select menu.

Thursdays: All sizzler dishes, served with chips, rice or half and half, priced at £10 each.

Fridays: Live music.

'Six Meat' Sundays: Pick from six different types of meat from their carvery and, if diners vacate by 1.20pm, they are entitled to a 10 per cent discount.

Despite the fact there are several things which the Shoal Hill Tavern could improve upon, their food isn't among them – and we will certainly be returning again in future.

A lovely pub in picturesque surroundings and a menu which boasts far more than just pub grub quality.