The Olde Boot Inn, Whittington

I know what you’re probably thinking - is everyone except Kirsty on a diet at the Shropshire Star at the moment?But how can you refuse a perk of the job which simply involves eating and drinking.

So another outing it was. This time we were a bit closer to home - well not to my home in Telford but “home” as in where I grew up.

I was doing one of my whistle stop visits to Oswestry where I try to see everyone in the space of just a few hours - so where better than your old local pub?

Ye Olde Boote Inn, Whittington, it was - the pub where I first entered as a nervous teenager to wash the pots.

The Boote has had a reputation for more than three decades of being busy come rain or shine - regardless of what night of the week it was the pub would still have its regular drinkers at the bar and has always been a regular eatery.

Despite the hectic visit, I did phone in advance to book a table for my parents, brother, partner and I, as I know on many occasions we’ve been caught out by thinking “but it’s only a Tuesday” and the place has been packed with diners.

Despite undergoing a refurbishment a few years ago, the pub - part of the Robinson’s brewery - never lost its “olde worlde” charm, retaining its open fireplace and its wooden characteristics.

The staff are always welcoming and friendly, regardless if you’re a stranger who was simply passing, or a regular who arrives at the same time every night of the week for the “usual”.

We went straight down into the dining room of the pub which overlooks the beautiful Whittington Castle and its moat, and waited just enough time to look through the menu before one of the bar staff came to take our order.

I was predictable as ever and went for the creamy garlic mushrooms, which were served in a large bowl with an ample serving of bread.

Other members of the family went for the prawn cocktail and homemade pea and ham soup.

All the starters were polished off without comment and the waitress was more than happy to swop my brother’s brown bread for his preferred white.

The Boote can be the perfect place for a cosy table for two or even for a larger party for special occasions. It also offers the option to eat in the bar area of the pub or the restaurant.

But the same menu is offered in both - which is a delight as so many places think they can charge higher prices for the same food just because you’ve got the luxury of a pre-laid table.

For the main course, my dad went for the gammon steak which is renowned for its thick cut, while my mum went for the homemade chicken curry. She didn’t expect it to be served as a whole chicken fillet but rather in smaller pieces. But served with half rice and half chips, she really enjoyed it.

Despite the garlic mushroom starter, I went for the garlic overload and ordered the chicken sizzling platter. The dish - certainly one of my favourites on the menu at The Boote - includes strips of chicken and vegetables stir fried in a Szechuan sauce and served on a hot platter.

There is always more than enough to share but be warned, everyone in work will know the next day you’ve had garlic, but it is delicious.

My partner enjoyed the scampi served on a bed of green leaves, although the leaves were soon moved to the side plate to make way for the chips and my brother enjoyed a sirloin steak.

Everyone enjoyed their meals which were served piping hot but everyone had only one criticism. The chips, although plentiful as the waitress gladly offered us another dish full, were not as good quality as the rest of the meal.

I know from previous dining experiences this isn’t usually the case but a large proportion of the chips had black bits in them. This was not the fault of the chef but the supplier. But as we had so many chips we were able to pick out the good ones.

On to the sweets - The Boote always serves a more than generous portion of delicious homemade cheesecake but as it wasn’t Baileys flavour on the night we visited I went for the sticky toffee pudding. The others enjoyed the home-made sherry trifle and the lemon cheesecake.

The Boote will always be my “local” - it is always a safe bet for a warm welcome, enjoyable meal and good company.

by Kirsty Marston

Contact details: The Olde Boot Inn Whittington
01691 662250

MENU SAMPLE

Starters

Prawn cocktail; garlic mushrooms, blackpudding; pate.

Main courses

Jumbo haddock in beer batter; homemade steak and ale; homemade lasagne.

Desserts

Home-made cheesecake; home-made sherry trifle; chocolate and caramel fudge cake.

ATMOSPHERE

A warm and friendly village pub.

SERVICE

Friendly and efficient.

DISABLED FACILITIES

There are no disabled toilet facilities but there is wheelchair access upon request.

SMOKING POLICY

Smoking is only allowed in the small bar area but not in the lounge bar or restaurant.