Star rating: **** Russell Roberts’s visit to the Windmill pub turns out brilliantly.

The Windmill, near Shrewsbury.

These days meeting up with friends for a meal can be a challenge with everyone being so busy and strapped for cash.

So when my partner Alison and our friends Steve and Clair found ourselves with a night free we thought it would be nice to tackle some good old Shropshire fare, but where to go?

Mid-week when you don’t feel like getting too dressed up, a pub can seem like the best option and having driven past the Windmill a few times something just drew me to it.

Located on a sharp bend of the A458 Welshpool road you could be forgiven for not noticing the place.

But what a good choice we made in picking it. Entering the pub it just felt cosy with the old pictures on the walls. The relaxed atmosphere afforded by sitting wherever takes your fancy almost felt like you had been frequenting the place for an eternity.

As the Windmill has been owned by the same family for almost 100 years it filled us with hope over the quality of the food and we were not let down.

As the four of us sat down and chose our drinks, a very friendly waitress quickly produced the menu for us to browse.

They say friends like the same things and when it came to starters we were no exception. Alison and Clair opted for the prawn platter, reasonably priced at £4.95 each, with the seafood presented on very thinly sliced wholemeal toast along with a small salad and dressing.

Myself and Steve opted for the classic favourite, tomato and basil soup (£3.95).

With everything being cooked from scratch it took a little while for the food to be prepared but it was well worth the wait.

The soup was lovely and hot, served in a nice big bowl with delicious crusty rolls and butter that melted wonderfully into the fresh bread. The girls’ prawn dishes were equally fantastic, the presentation was immaculate and with all plates and bowls cleared we were all left hungry for more.

So as we chatted away we eagerly awaited our mains hoping they would be just as good. Thankfully none of us were let down. Clair stuck to the seafood theme with a fish pie (£10.95) which was again very well presented and which she described as equally tasty.

As a big fan of steak, Steve was delighted when the waitress advised him to check out the specials board which included a range of steaks such as sirloin, rump and fillet.

In the end he plumped for the juicy sirloin which was cooked to his liking of medium to well done, accompanied with mushrooms, salad and chips (£10.95).

Alison stuck by her guns and chose the classic pub grub, scampi served with chips and salad (£8.95) which did not disappoint. I was impressed with the choice on offer and after nearly going for the lasagne I eventually decided on the shepherd’s pie (£8.25).

It was a hearty meal with tender mince, vegetables and creamy mash and tasted every bit as good as a home-made one.

What struck us all about the main courses, as well as the quality of the ingredients and the cooking, was the generously sized portions and by the end of it we were all left with the same view that this was pub food at its best.

Despite our waistlines being suitably expanded we still decided to spoil ourselves just that little bit more. The dessert menu was far too appetising to say no to. Steve and Clair went for the sensible option of sharing a generously sized chocolate fudge cake while I and Alison decided to have our own desserts. Her heart was set on the Eton mess (£3.95) as soon as she saw it on the menu.

For those unfamiliar with the dish, try to imagine a mix of everything you could desire with strawberries, cream and meringue. It was wonderfully presented and I could see why she went for it. As she finished the lot, not even allowing me a little taste, I knew she was impressed without having to ask.

I needn’t have worried about my own choice though as the sticky toffee pudding with custard (£3.95) still hit the mark superbly.

Overall the night was all I could have asked for with friendly staff, good company, a relaxed atmosphere and brilliant food that doesn’t cost the earth to top it off.

So next time you happen to be passing, I suggest dropping in. You will understand why this business has been in the same family for almost 100 years and with food like that it should be for many years to come.

MENU SAMPLE

Starters

Prawn platter (£4.95); grilled goats’ cheese on dressed mixed salad leaves with a home-made tomato relish (£4.55)

Main courses

Aga roasted chicken breast wrapped in bacon and topped with garlic, cream, white wine and stilton sauce (£9.95); home-made lasagne with garlic bread and a crisp salad (£8.95)

Desserts

Jane’s home-made deep dish apple pie with custard (£3.95); home-made strawberry sherry trifle with flaked chocolate topping (£3.95)

ATMOSPHERE

Warm and friendly

SERVICE

Good

DISABLED FACILITIES

Facilities for the disabled available

Contact

Windmill Inn, Rowton, Halfway House, near Shrewsbury. Tel: o1743 884234