Rating: *** There is nothing like a quick meal out to wash away the mid-week blues. Although the weekend is well cared for with regular trips out to restaurants, a humble Wednesday night can often fall flat.
That was very much the impression that my fiancee Claire and I got when we tried the Severn Gorge in Telford centre.
Although we wanted to celebrate after booking the church for our wedding, the atmosphere fell short of expectations.
It’s not that we wanted a bustling bar with endless chatter - just something more than a few local drinkers and the odd diner.
But despite the empty scene that initially greeted us, our evening was surprisingly good.
The waitresses were mostly efficient, while the food - ableit nothing to write home about - was nontheless tasty and well cooked.
As we had both endured busy days, it was immediately agreed that we should forego the starters and head straight for the main courses.
To start my meal I went for the steak and ale pie, while Claire opted for the Canadian Melt - without barbecue sauce, of course. Claire has always hated barbecue sauce, so it was great to see the staff carry out her request without so much as a whimper.
Waiting for our food took no longer than we would expect for a standard town centre eaterie and it was, of course, piping hot.
My pie was full of the kind of meaty chunks that are a requisite for this kind of dish. The pastry, perhaps, was the only let down, as it crumbled into a heap as soon as I put my fork through the middle.
The whole course was accompanied by a mountain of tasty chips that I can confirm were given a good home, as well as peas and crunchy carrots.
Claire’s main course was drenched in cheese and as ever, accompanied by a huge stack of chips.
The main problem was that once she had dug through the outside layers, the actual piece of chicken was rather measly. Not that whole course wasn’t filling - it’s just that perhaps, the chicken section should have been at least 50 per cent bigger.
As is standard with pub food, our drinks came straight from the bar, with prices that were barely on the right side of reasonable. In this day and age, I suppose I should have no reason to quibble about a £4.05 price tag for a lager shandy and half a cider.
We were a little surprised that given the previously high standards of service, we were required to order our desserts from the bar.
Having had our main course order taken at the table a few moments earlier, nobody told us about the sudden change of plan. Nevertheless, I eyed the menu enthusiastically and immediately chose the chocolate indulgence.
Claire went for the dessert combo and it wasn’t long before our treats arrived.
My usual choice for dessert often revolves around the ‘chocolate indulgence/death by chocolate/chocolate mountain’ side of the menu. This was little different from the standard fare available at hundreds of other pub eateries across the land - very chocolatey, very tasty and very bad for me.
Claire’s dessert combo was a cracking selection of surprises that tasted exactly as they should - sugary, distinct and a perfect way to end the meal.
The Severn Gorge is currently undergoing an extensive refurbishment into a carvery and will reopen on November 13. Indeed, if injecting a little individuality is on the agenda, then that can only be an improvement.
ADDRESS
The Severn Gorge, Southwater Way, Telford
Tel (01952) 290404
MENU SAMPLE (from November 13)
Starters
Potato Skins (£2.95), Chicken Tikka Spring Roll (£3.45).
Main courses
Carvery (£3.99 Mon-Sat, £5.99 Sun), Poached Salmon (£3.99 Mon-Sat, £5.99 Sun)
Desserts
Chocolate Fudge Cake (£1.49), Chocolate Indulgence Sundae (£2.95)
ATMOSPHERE
Very quiet and perhaps in need of the kind of boost in numbers that the major refurbishment will bring.
SERVICE
The only fault we could find was having to ask at the bar to order desserts.
DISABLED FACILITIES
No disabled toilets at the moment, but they are part of a long-term plan.
SMOKING POLICY
Smoking is not allowed anywhere in the restaurant.
By James Shaw
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