Star rating: * * *
A reader was so impressed with the Monday evening she and her husband spent at the Red Lion on the Pulverbatch road out of Shrewsbury that she wrote in to tell us about it.
She said their evening had been perfect and “would recommend this lovely traditional country pub to all”.
So, with praise like that, we had to put it to the test.
After two false starts (the kitchen had not been open on two occasions when we tried to book) we pitched up on a typical late summer evening - it was pouring down with rain!
Finding the Red Lion was easy as I was born in a pub not five miles down the same road more than 60 years previously, so it was home territory for me
Unsurprisingly there were not yet many cars on the car park and no one at all taking advantage of the patio benches and pleasant beer garden.
It was get inside as quickly as we could to a bright, comforting atmosphere and a cheery welcome from the barmaid.
The Red Lion is quite spacious with two large dining areas and, round the corner, a general bar area dominated by a pool table.
One of the dining areas is in the conservatory, the benefit of which we could not fully appreciate thanks to the incessant rain and dark clouds.
With its bright red drapes it offers a comfortable and convivial area slightly off-set from the general hubbub of the public drinking area.
We ordered two glasses of house red (the smaller one for the driver) and were shown the menu which was chalked up on a wall board.
A few weeks previously the reader who recommended the Red Lion had thoughtfully supplied a copy of the printed menu but since then Greg and Carole Dare who run the pub have rung the changes and now offer a slightly different choice.
Thankfully the black pudding and bacon salad (£4.25) was still available so that was my unhesitating choice.
My wife Libby always agonises over what she selects. It’s not a problem although attentive waitresses are frequently sent away while she ponders.
Eventually it was the breaded whitebait (£3.50) which won the day and it turned out that both were excellent choices.
I was served three generous slices of well-flavoured black pudding with chopped bacon cooked slightly crisp with a bed of fresh salad. It was, for me, an ideal starter with a strong flavour and substantial in quantity without being too filling.
Libby had, for her, an over-generous helping of whitebait so the plate was not cleared. It scored highly on flavour however so no complaints.
With only one other table occupied I wondered whether the kitchen staff would be a little over-efficient and deliver the main courses with undue promptness by there was a welcome rest period of about 15 minutes before my deep-fried seafood medley with chips (£8.50) arrived.
It was a good helping with about a dozen fish pieces including calamari, cod, scallops, and prawns. All were tasty and, with just a small amount of tartare sauce from the dipping bowl (rather than those unattractive plastic sachets) went down a treat.
There were plenty of French fries with the seafood although I would have preferred them slightly crisper.
Across the table it was chicken breast with bacon and a cheese sauce (£8.50) for Libby. It has been cooked slowly in the cheese sauce, infusing the meat nicely and all was consumed with gratitude.
The vegetables (carrots, cauliflower and cabbage) in a separate dish were cooked soft, rather than al dente, and accompanied by boiled potatoes.
Libby had no room for dessert but I managed to find room for the plum tart and custard (£3.60). This was ideal for me - not too sweet - and rounded off the evening perfectly.
The bill for the evening came to £35.50.
By Rex M Key
PUB GUIDE:
Starters: Deep fried Brie (£3.75); Creamy garlic mushrooms (£3.70)
Main courses: Beef in red wine (£8.75); Cottage pie and vegetables (£7.25)
Desserts: Treacle tart, chocolate fudge cake, bread and butter pudding (all £3.60).
Atmosphere: Traditional English pub but with comfortable dining areas with plenty of space.
Service: Friendly service with accommodating staff.
Disabled facilities: No facilities specifically for the disabled but wheelchairs can be accommodated.
Smoking policy: Smoking allowed outside on the patio and in the beer garden.
Contact: The Red Lion, Longden Common, Pulverbatch, near Shrewsbury (01743) 718889
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