Old Hand and Diamond Inn, Coedway

Reviewer's Rating: *** Kirsty Smallman is disappointed that carrots and cauli did not come up to the usual standard

It was after our first family walk up to Rodney's Pillar that we made an unplanned visit to the Hand and Diamond on the Shropshire/Powys border.

It was after 3pm so we were not sure if we would get a Sunday roast anywhere but noticed the carvery served all day.

I went inside first to check there was room and told by the friendly barman that he would get the highchair ready at the only free table in the bar. I didn't check whether there was room in the restaurant (which seats over 100 diners) but we preferred the bar area anyway. The roaring fire was throwing heat out and kept our young son occupied from his highchair while we decided what we were having.

"I will if you are," came from both myself and my husband John as we looked at the choice of starters including home-made soup, melon cocktail with a lemon sorbet cocktail, smooth game pate or prawn salad. We both went for the prawn salad served with a roll — we were not disapppointed. It was a plentiful portion on a bed of crisp salad with just the right amount of dill mayonnaise (well too much for the diet but we had earned it!)

Both dishes were finished and given the thumbs up. After waiting patiently for more than ample time and our empty dishes still in front of us, I asked at the bar and was told we could go to the carvery. As there was three of us, we did the 'carvery relay' so not to leave Eddie alone to terrorise the pub!

And this is the point where the main course carvery failed to back up the four-star starter.

Sadly, although the meat served by the chef was tender and tasty and plenty of it, the vegetable dishes were not so exciting.

The few roast potatoes that were left were stuck to the bottom of the dish and the few carrots which were left were dried up. Oh and I'm sure there was cheese sauce on the cauliflower once but it had obviously dried up by this time.

This was a huge disappointment for me because we had visited the Hand and Diamond on several occasions previously (often as a large family gathering) and had enjoyed a carvery which certainly deserved four stars — or even more.

But this time it did only just scrape three. All it needed was the barman or chef to ask us to wait another five or ten minutes for our food while the dishes were being replenished. With hindsight and if John and I had aired our joint disappointment when returning from the carvery I may have informed the staff. But with one of us half way through the meal, it would have delayed the meal even further.

I was sad and disappointed as I know the carvery is so popular they have introduced it as a daily event. And as I said earlier we have enjoyed several family lunches which sparked our return visit.

I felt the lack of fresh dishes came because there was only the two of us, rather than a larger party who would have certainly enjoyed fresh vegetables.

Although we certainly didn't need one, we both decided to have a pudding. This is where I pass the blame on to the price list and admit my willpower failed me. It costs £11.95 for three courses but would have cost me £12.90 if we just had the starter and the main course! No I don't get it either so although the dessert was free of charge it certainly wasn't free of calories.

We both went for the strawberry and white chocolate gateaux — it wasn't homemade but it tasted very good all the same. Certainly four stars for the dessert as well as the starter so sadly it was the carvery which pulled the rating down.

I am hoping this was a one-off occasion and the next time we go (because there will be a next time — everyone deserves another chance) the dishes will be boasting fresh, piping hot vegetables.

The staff are friendly and welcoming and the pub and restaurant offers the perfect retreat during the day or evening.

Along with the carvery special in the week at just over £5, the 'double diamond two for one' is also a popular offer from 6pm to 7.30pm Monday to Thursday.

The Hand and Diamond menu offers home-made dishes with locally sourced meat at very reasonable prices but with the 'two for the price of one' offer, it is even kinder on the purse.

We will be returning and would probably even try the carvery again because I'm sure they won't be making the same mistake again - a mistake which is so often made at carvery pubs.

Address

Old Hand and Diamond Inn, Coedway, near Shrewsbury SY5 9AR

Tel: 01743 884379.

Menu Sample

Starters

Chef's soup of the day with a freshly baked roll (£3.45); traditional prawn cocktail - fresh juicy prawns and crayfish on bed of French leaves with marie rose sauce (£4.95)

Main courses

Deep fried, whole tail scampi, homemade chips and tartare sauce (£8.95); half roast pheasant with roasted vegetables and damson sauce (£11.95)

Desserts

Double chocolate brownie with cointreau chocolate sauce (£4.25); lemon crème brulee with butter shortbread biscuit (£4.25)

Atmosphere

Relaxed and welcoming

Service

Friendly and polite staff

Disabled facilities

Both disabled access and toilets