The Vine, Wombourne
While some pubs struggle to stay afloat, there are still plenty prepared to prove their worth, writes Laura Blyth.
While some pubs struggle to stay afloat, there are still plenty prepared to prove their worth,
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Pubs are a dying breed – that is for sure. It seems each week a new sign goes up saying another treasured watering hole is up for sale or lease.
What a shame. Not a lot can beat going out to the pub with friends for a drink in the beer garden or for Sunday lunch on a weekend.
For the time being anyway, The Vine, in the village of Wombourne, South Staffordshire, seems to be doing just fine.
On the High Street and a stone's throw from the green in the middle of the village, popping into the pub on a Sunday for some lunch seemed like a good idea and many other people had had the same brainwave.
The place was packed and it was hard to find a table.
The pub looks quaint from the road, painted white, with potted plants outside.
There is a large car park to the side and back so it's easy to find somewhere to leave the car.
It oozes rural character. There are beams on the low ceilings and some of the walls are exposed with brick.
The bar, in front as you walk in, is busy and a handful of bar staff were running around trying to serve thirsty customers.
The walls are painted cream, with pictures hanging. There are cosy seats, more upright wooden chairs and leather slouch seats – plenty of choice depending what you are doing at the pub. We chose a table to the left of the bar and were seen to straight away by the young waitress.
There was a specials menu, which mainly consisted of Sunday lunch options, including beef, turkey, pork or the vegetarian option – two of them – each at around £8.45.
There was also a set menu and regular menu with lots of pub favourites such as scampi and chips, fish pie, sizzling steaks and salads. To start with I chose some bread with oils and balsamic vinegar. The appetizer was brought out on a wooden board, which looked very impressive.
There were slices of white, toasted baguette and a warm rosemary infused roll.
The oil and thick balsamic vinegar was filled with chilli flakes and fennel seeds – very tasty indeed. It whetted the appetite quite nicely. My partner went for the prawn cocktail (£4.75). It came out in a large glass, with chopped iceberg lettuce. The prawns were fresh and the sauce creamy. It also came with two slices of doorstop bread.
For my main, I plumped for the mushroom and chestnut pie, with roast potatoes, parsnips and vegetables, with onion gravy (£8.95).
The pie, with a puff pastry topping, looked fantastic as it was placed in front of me. Delving past the pastry, the filling was creamy and full of flavour, with soft button mushrooms.
It was accompanied by crispy roast potatoes and sweet parsnips, as well as delicious onion gravy.
My partner went for the pork roast dinner at £8.45. Slices of soft meat were surrounded again by potatoes and plenty of veg.
There was also a crispy Yorkshire pudding and pork and sage stuffing. It went down very well.
To finish with I went for the scrumptious Eton Mess (£5.25). The desert was large, served in a huge glass bowl with lashings of sweet strawberry mousse and a generous helping of cream. Slices of juicy strawberries were hidden in the mousse, alongside pieces of meringue. It was a treat.
My partner went for a coffee at £1.95 to top off her lunch.
With three soft drinks, the bill came to a very reasonable total of £37.60.
The lovely atmosphere, friendly staff and a fantastic rural feeling meant that hungry diners were still coming in long past 4pm.
Long live The Vine.
ADDRESS
The Vine, High Street, Wombourne WV5 9DT
Telephone:?01902 894 829
