The Plough, Wistanstow

Reviewer's rating: **** Sharon Walters enjoys a main meal and a drink for a fiver.

Lots of places are doing deals on food at the minute – after all, the credit crunch is still biting and we are still tightening our belts.

Sadly some are just cheap food thrown together and you would do better to stay at home and cook for yourself.

However, there are some gems – and one such is the Plough at Wistanstow near Craven Arms.

If you live nearby and haven't tried their credit crunch special, do so – and if you don't live close enough to make it worth while (think of the costs of fuel), when you next fancy a day out make it around the lovely Clun Valley and Bishop's Castle and stop off on the way home for something to eat.

And that's because you can have a home-cooked main course and a pint or soft drink for just a fiver – the price of a couple of drinks alone!

The offer is available all evening on Mondays and on Fridays between 5pm and 8pm. The offer includes the local brew, Wood's from next door, or any soft drink. There is a small surcharge for Guinness and Carling and wine. Still a bargain.

There are also plans to do a similar deal for Christmas meals in the run-up to the big day and, apparently, there are already a number of bookings.

We went along one Monday at around 5.30pm and there were already several people eating. By the time we left shortly before 8pm there was not a table to be had. Now that says it all. I could just finish here. But I won't.

There was a choice of three curries, fish and chips, breaded plaice, chicken-and mushroom pie or steak-and-ale pie made with Wood's Shropshire Lad beer.

Sipping a pint of said Shropshire Lad, and good it was too, we chose and waited for our orders to arrive. A glance around the plates revealed copious amounts of food – not thrown on the plate, either – and people enjoying their cheap treat.

Neil had a chicken tikka masala and opted for a 50/50 split of basmati rice and chips plus a fresh poppadum. The chicken is cooked in masala sauce using Pakistani spices and finished with a little coconut milk and crushed almonds with lots of fresh coriander.

The aromas coming across the table were delicious and a quick foray with a fork from my side of the table confirmed the quality which he was commenting on. And, importantly, the rice was not overcooked.

He was also served a selection of three accompaniments including two chutneys. I had the breaded plaice fillet which came with chips and a choice of garden or mushy peas – I'm a Black Country girl at heart and it had to be the mushy variety.

It was a large piece of fish; although I don't know if chef breaded it himself from fresh, it was certainly good quality, with firm white flesh.

The chips were nice and crisp on the outside and fluffy on the inside. A little break and we decided we simply had to try the other special offer – a pudding for £2. For that money they had to be minute portions. But, oh no.

Two are offered and we had one of each. My meringue was enormous with lashings of whipped cream and sweet strawberries. The apple crumble across the table was a lovely traditional dish with plenty of fruit, a crisp crumble and thick custard.

We had a look at the regular menu and there was plenty of evidence of locally sourced produce and a good range of dishes.

By the buzzing atmosphere as we left, I reckon The Plough has got it just right.

Guide

Atmophere

Lovely welcoming country pub

Service

First rate service from the barmaid, who was managing on her own for much of the time we were there.

Disabled facilities

Car park close with flat access and disabled facilities

Contact

The Plough, Wistanstow, near Craven Arms, SY7 8DG. Tel: 01588 673251