The Talbot At Belbroughton, Stourbridge
Fine dining and in a family-free setting, writes Lisa Broom. What more could you want in a quiet, mid-week meal?
Fine dining and in a family-free setting, writes Lisa Broom. What more could you want in a quiet, mid-week meal?
Leaving the humdrum of the suburbs, venturing along winding roads and through country fields lies the sleepy village of Belbroughton.
It is an idyllic gem nestled in the countryside which has some breathtaking views of the area.
It's hard to believe that this perfect English setting in Worcestershire is only three miles from the M5.
There are a handful of pubs dotted around the village but one that stands out is The Talbot. It is beautiful old building and inside it is split into two sections; a bar area and a formal restaurant.
Sitting in the restaurant felt perfectly relaxed and comfortable. The decor is very rustic with large vases of flowers on the tables and huge candles in glass holders giving it serene and cosy feeling.
There is a sense that the pub is shying away from a family focus – there is no chidren's menu – and is aimed more at regulars and couples wanting a quiet, homely place to wind down.
The menu prides itself on simple home-cooked food rather than the mass-produced pierce and ping dishes found in big chain pubs. This was a refreshing change.
There is also a note on the menu stating that if there is a dish you fancy which is not on the menu, you can call them 48 hours before you visit and they will endeavour to prepare it for you. Now that's good service!
We were shown to our table (we booked in advance as it can get quite busy) and the waitress promptly brought over the drinks we had ordered.
The bar offers all the usual and specialist ciders and lagers including Thatchers Cider, Thatchers heritage, Stella Artois and Peroni on draught.
The menus are changed regularly and use seasonal produce with much of it from local businesses.
There was the option of choosing from the main menu, a specials menu or a set menu of two course for £12.95 or three courses for £15.95.
Normally a creature of habit I thought I'd venture out of my comfort zone and went for dishes off the set menu; the chef's special fishcake with zesty mayonnaise to start followed by the sweet potato, spinach and chick pea balti with rice and Indian salad.
My husband went for the main menu and opted for the chicken liver, brandy and red wine smooth pate with toasted foccacia and red onion marmalade (£5.50), followed by the organic char grilled 28-day hung 8oz sirloin steak, served with grilled mushroom, vine plum tomato and hand cut chips (£15.95). We were given complimentary olives and bread which was a nice touch and helped the hunger pangs.
The starters arrived and the presentation was beautiful. The fishcake lay on a thick dollop of mayonnaise with a sprinkle of peppery greenery and a slice of lemon. It tasted delicious and was the perfect size.
The liver pate went down a treat and was perfectly smooth and with bite size foccacia toasts and tangy onion marmalade which were tasty.
After a brief break the mains arrived and looked amazing.
The balti arrived in three mini saucepans, one containing rice, one with the balti and the other hosting the Indian salad. It came with a big bowl to decant it into.
And it was so scrummy. The balti was nicely spicy so it didn't numb my tastebuds and stop me enjoying the whole dish.
The steak was perfectly cooked and the chips and onion rings chunky and crisp.
Despite feeling full we couldn't ignore the dessert menu.
I went for the ice cream from a local farm. I had three scoops, honeycomb, clotted cream and apple and cinnamon which was the best ice cream I've ever tasted.
The sticky toffee pudding (£5.25) was a success with my other half. Both full and content we finished with a nice relaxing cup of tea.
It is the perfect place to shake off any family constraints and to add a touch of sparkle to a mid-week meal out.
ADDRESS
The Talbot At Belbroughton, Hartle Lane, Stourbridge DY9 9TG
Tel: 01562 730 249
