Rating **** Isn’t it strange how you often rarely visit the places on your own doorstep? When I lived in York, I never once set foot inside the Minster, and while in London I failed to take a tour of the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben or even the London Eye.
It’s almost as if because it’s right there you feel no need to pay a visit, or you put it off for another day.
I have driven past the Peacock Inn almost every day for the past 10 years, often more than once a day. But until recently I had never set foot inside the quaint 14th century pub, which is nestled just inside the Shropshire border, near Tenbury Wells. How glad I am that I finally took that step.
Walking through the doors into a cosy dining area with large leather sofas and a traditional bar I knew instantly I was going to like it. I am a sucker for the old traditional pubs with their beams that could tell a thousand tales and log fires which roar in the winter - perhaps it reminds me of being at home.
The Peacock, I am informed, was originally a farm and it is not known when it received its first licence.
Today it is run by Rob Cheadle, a former maitre d’ in charge of all the restaurants on the QE2 cruise liner. His head chef Erich Celton comes from France and has been working at the pub for 10 years.
My three friends and I are shown to our table, nestled in a large window overlooking the fields and river, and our orders are promptly taken.
It’s not long before the waitress arrives with a large basket of fresh bread rolls and four beautifully presented starters are placed in front of us.
I went with the Thai beef salad (£5.65), strips of succulent meat coated in a mildly spicy dressing, while two of my party went with the homemade tomato soup with a hint of spice (£3.65) and the other opted for the scallops with bacon on a bed of salad (£7.45) from the specials board. Sound good? Well let me tell you, it was.
Each meal was perfectly proportioned as a starter and full of taste and flavours. There was certainly nothing bland about this pub grub.
For my main I, along with one friend, opted for the fillet of sea bass on a bed of roasted cherry tomatoes served with a pesto dressing (£14.95) from the specials board. I selected the garlic dauphinoise potatoes to accompany the meal and my friend went with French fries - which she described as some of the tastiest, crunchiest chips she had ever eaten. Both came with fresh, crunchy vegetables.
For the other two it was a red Thai curry and jasmin rice (£9.95) and noisettes of lamb with ratatouille and tomato sauce (£14.95) again from the specials. As we chatted and gossiped, like we were back at school, we all devoured the food, leaving little, if anything for the scraps bin - I’m sure if there was a dog waiting out the back, he would have gone hungry that night.
So when the waitress offered us the puddings menu, we couldn’t contain our sweet tooths.
We ordered a lemon cheesecake with red berries (£4.65), chocolate delice with caramalised bananas (£4.65), a selection of English and French cheeses (£5.95) and a strawberry sorbet (£4.35). All except the chocolate dish were polished off no problem, however, my friend felt this a little heavy on the stomach after the platefuls we had just shovelled down.
Unfortunately, being a country pub all but one of us had to drive so there was no alcohol on the bill this time round. However, the Peacock offers a superb wine list and a vast array of traditional beers on draught.
It was an altogether delightful evening in a beautiful setting, with fine food. The service was second to none, prompt and polite and the atmosphere friendly and inviting.
If I have learned anything from my trip to the Peacock Inn it is not to overlook what’s on your doorstep.contact details
ADDRESS
Worcester Road, Boraston, Tenbury Wells.
Phone 01584 810506
MENU SAMPLE
Starters
Crostini of asparagus and goats cheese with truffle oil (£5.25), Salmon mousse with a chive and saffron cream (£5.75)
Main courses
Beef Bourguignon (£11.25), Casserole of tuna in olive oil, onions, tomatoes and fresh chilli (£12.50)
Desserts
Iced honey and Drambuie parfait served with an orange and cardamom syrup (£4.65) , Creme brulee (£4.65)
ATMOSPHERE
Cosy and welcoming
SERVICE
Polite, prompt and courteous
DISABLED FACILITIES
No specific facilities for the disabled due to the age of the building
SMOKING POLICY
No smoking in dining areas. Smoking allowed in bar
Restaurant review by Sally Jones
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