Travelling back from Nottingham last weekend hunger pangs started to gnaw.
Cooking when I got home wasn’t an option as I had enjoyed a very nice and lazy time over in Robin Hood country and wanted to finish the weekend in the same way.
Getting close to Bridgnorth I remembered Baileys Wine Bar in the High Street as a haunt I used to frequent with friends from the town too many years ago to remember.
It’s a place where you can enjoy just a cup of coffee or a stronger drink, a light snack or a full-blown meal, and the good thing is they serve food all day on Saturdays and Sundays.
But before we get on to the food, a little moan about the district council. I parked in the council car park in the centre and tried to key in my registration number - but when I pushed “T” I kept getting “S” and so on for other letters as well. In addition, I was charged for weekday parking and not the slightly lower one for Sundays.
I have informed the council but as yet no reply! A little thing you may think but it could mean fines being issued when the driver was not breaking the rules and, also, why advertise cheaper?
Enough of my little rant and back to Baileys. It stands on a corner of the High Street by the street leading up to St Leonard’s Church and is a very attractive sight.
Downstairs are a few tables and the bar with large boards full of the specials and regular menu. You order drinks and food at the bar and then take a seat. We went upstairs to the non-smoking, eating area.
It is charming with sloping, polished wooden floorboads and an eclectic mix of furniture and decoration.
The barman was helpful and efficient and after finding a table we scanned the extensive menu of both specials and regulars.
A little too large perhaps?
We were tempted by a goat’s cheese starter and Thai fishcakes but couldn’t resist the Baileys combi (£7.95) - a platter advertised as enough for two but in reality could feed four.
We both like dipping into bits and pieces and enjoying a variety of flavours and the combi did not disappoint.
It came with breaded mushrooms, chicken wings, large wedges of potato, crispy spring rolls and cheese-filled deep-fried parcels. Alongside was a nice salad and pots of sour cream and spicy dips.
Truth to tell that would have done for both of us. But we left a little to try and leave room for main courses.
I went for a special, Italian style rabbit (£9.50). I hadn’t had rabbit for a long time and was curious as to how it would be cooked. There were two legs in a rich tomato-based sauce with olives, mushrooms and onions. If I am totally honest the rabbit was a little on the tough side but very flavoursome.
It came with some very finely sliced, and I would say braised, vegetables including celery and courgettes which were absolutely delicious.
I had a choice of chips, jacket or new potatoes and went for the latter. I must have had a pound on my plate and was sad to have to leave half of them as they were very tasty.
Another little gripe - please don’t put a salad garnish on a dish like this, it just doesn’t work - the sauce swamps it and leaves it warm and unappetising. But so many restaurants do this.
Neil went for another special, a Thai green curry (£8.95). It was very nicely presented and steaming hot on arrival at the table. There were decent sized chunks of chicken in a light sauce on a bed of fluffy rice.
Suffice to say that the man who used to live on curry and says he is an expert (or so he claims) judged it a big winner - especially in the heat stakes! It’s fun to watch a curryaholic sweating.
After a little rest we shared a pudding which neither of us could resist, a strawberry and chocolate meringue (£3.95) with plenty of cream. Sinful but delicious.
There is the usual array of bar drinks available and the wine list is very reasonable. A selection of teas and coffees are also on offer.
Service at table was efficient and we didn’t have to sit long staring at empty plates - but it could have been a little warmer.
ADDRESS
Baileys Wine Bar, 75 High Street, Bridgnorth.
Tel: 01746 763445.
MENU SAMPLE
Starters
Homemade soup of the day (£2.65), Goats cheese & caramelised onion tartlet with passion fruit coulis (£4.50)
Main courses
Steak, mushroom and ale pie (£7.95), Fillet of cod Florentine (£7.95)
Sides
Garlic bread (£2.25), Salad bowl (£1.95)
Desserts
Desserts change daily.
ATMOSPHERE
Surroundings create a pleasant atmosphere
SERVICE
Service at the bar and table were good.
DISABLED FACILITIES
No disabled facilities. This is a very old property and difficult to adapt.
SMOKING POLICY
Smoking and non-smoking areas.
By Sharon Walters
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