Bridge Inn, Dorrington,

Star rating: **** It was a few months ago when my mother brought me back a card from The Bridge Inn, suggesting that myself and my partner Simon try it out.

She and Dad had eaten there with friends and had very much enjoyed their visit.

So, after finally finding the card again after a good rummage though my handbag - the type of which things can be dropped into to never be seen again - we decided to book.

We reserved our table for a Friday night and, as I am notorious for having a total and complete lack of direction when finding new places, I made sure that I found the village on the map before we went so that I could point the way.

Unfortunately this backfired when Simon reminded me that he had been commuting down the A49 for the past two years and so he actually already knew where Dorrington was!

It was dark when we pulled up to the pub and its car park at around 7.30pm. The place was brightly lit up and looked warm and welcoming. It was already busy with diners and drinkers in the bar. The inn had recently been refurbished and was also nice and clean.

Smiling staff behind the bar greeted us immediately. We ordered our drinks (large glass of red wine £4.20; pint of lager £2.80) before being shown straight through to our table. They had reserved us a nice romantic table in the corner at the far end of the restaurant away from the bulk of diners already there. It was a good table and as we settled down to enjoy each other’s company staff quickly brought us the menu.

We chose from the inn’s two-course menu for £11.95, which is an offer of either starter and mains or mains and desert (served Monday to Friday evening). You could have a third course for an extra £3. On the back there was another menu - an evening a la carte menu, you could also choose from. I was very impressed with this. There we were, having food that was bar meal quality and very good value, yet we were able to enjoy eating it in the restaurant. This was a very good idea, and was obviously attracting large groups. We decided to go for the three courses. Why not, at that price?

I ordered homemade chicken liver paté with onion chutney to start, while my other half ordered deep fried breaded mushrooms with garlic mayonnaise. My paté came in a small pot, together with a matching pot of chutney and a salad garnish. We were offered bread from a bread basket, which was nice and fresh.

The pate was obviously home made, good and tasty, with a slight rough texture to it. The chutney was nice and sweet. The salad was fresh. Simon’s mushrooms with mayonnaise were good, there was enough of them and he especially like the minty salad dressing.

For our main course I ordered scampi served with French fries and salad. Simon chose beef lasagne served with salad and French fries. Our food came nice and hot. The ‘French fries’ were more ‘chips’ - but I was not complaining, as I was hungry. They were hot and big and golden. I had good pieces of hot scampi - some were really big.

The salad was again attractive, fresh and tasty, once again featuring that pleasing minty dressing.

We both tucked in and there were no complaints whatsoever. Simon’s lasagne came in a dish and it was good and there was more than enough of it. So thumbs up again!

For pudding I plumped for cheesecake, while Simon couldn’t resist spotted dick. He was offered a choice of custard, ice cream or cream and chose cream. Both desserts were of a generous portion and were satisfying.

It’s no surprise that The Bridge Inn was so busy that night - the owners Clive Szczepanek and Jenny Dodd have got things spot on. There are also other menus for lunchtimes, Saturday evening and Sunday lunch.

ADDRESS
The Bridge Inn at Dorrington, near Shrewsbury
01743 718209

MENU SAMPLE
Starters
Feta cheese with mixed olives and salad leaves; Greenland prawns with seasonal leaves and Marie Rose sauce; Black pudding in a pepper cream sauce.

Main courses
Homemade steak and ale pie with short crust pastry and vegetables; roasted breast of chicken served with roast potatoes and gravy; stir fried vegetables with tomato and pesto served with fresh tagliatelle.

Desserts
Sherry trifle; strawberry pavlova; chocolate torte.

ATMOSPHERE
Bustling and enjoyable. Relaxed dining.

SERVICE
Excellent. Staff will bend over backwards for you.

DISABLED FACILITIES
Disabled toilet and disabled access.

By Catherine Stanworth