The Leaking Tap, Cockshutt

Ratin: **** Cathy Stanworth follows up another reader's suggestion and strikes gold yet again.

Ratin: **** Cathy Stanworth

follows up another reader's suggestion and strikes gold yet again.

It's becoming a real pleasure to follow up readers' food review recommendations, as recent ones have struck pure gold. After our visit to the Wrekin View in Telford I was delighted to hear that business had picked up, and The Leaking Tap in Cockshutt is another example of a venue that deserves to attract more trade.

It was a very quiet Friday evening when Simon and I recently visited the place, and we were surprised to find ourselves among just two tables dining.

After our experience, if I was a local, I'd be in there every week! Our recommending reader had told us that it was sometimes quiet, yet they did a "Sunday lunch to die for", "excellent evening meals" and "speciality nights".

A short drive out from Shrewsbury, it was well worth following this lead as again we were to discover really tasty food at good value prices and a courteous service.

A very attractive country pub, it has a substantial dining area, a decent menu and plenty of specials on its board to tempt the tastebuds. My only complaint was that I felt the place could have been a tad warmer. However, we got a nice welcome from the barman and were invited to pick our own table.

For starters I chose garlic mushrooms off the specials board (£4.50), while Simon chose cheese filled potato skins (£4.50). For mains I opted for a salmon fillet poached in a creamy lemon and dill sauce (£9.75), while Simon ordered a chicken breast wrapped in bacon cooked in a rich white wine, brandy and Stilton sauce, finished with cream (£8.95).

Main courses are served with a choice of vegetables or salad and a choice of chips, new or jacket potatoes. We decided on vegetables and chips. My starter was served with a warm crusty bread roll and a portion of butter, which was really tasty. And as for my garlic mushrooms, I was in for a treat. I believe mushrooms can be hit and miss, but the ones I've had served in a sauce, as in this case, always come up trumps.

The mushrooms were delicious, served in a gorgeous sauce mixed with small slices of onion. The bowl was hot, the portion was enough and there was plenty of sauce to enjoy.

Simon's starter was cleverly done. He had sections of potato skins which appeared to have had the potato cut out, mashed with cheese and then put back into the skins. They looked very nice and brown and crispy, not overdone. Simon said they were tasty and he enjoyed them. The dish came with a salad garnish of fresh cucumber, Iceberg lettuce, peppers and onion.

I was in for a surprise with my main. I don't usually order salmon fillet when I'm out as I feel it is so easy to do at home and it can be bland if served without some sort of sauce and can quickly cool. You also seem to be served a certain size as well – similar to what you would buy from a supermarket. So the first thing to catch my eye was the size of my fillet. It was double the size of the norm.

It was beautifully cooked, very tasty and the sauce exactly lived up to its description on the menu.

Simon was also delighted with his chicken, with it being well cooked, though tender and tasty with the bacon. Simon could taste the Stilton in his sauce – sometimes its flavour can get lost among the other ingredients – and again, there was enough of it. Simon said his dish was very tasty and satisfying.

The chips were homemade, large and chunky. They were pale and golden and hot. I enjoyed all of mine, although Simon said his were slightly bigger and he felt some weren't cooked all the way through. Our vegetables of carrots, cauliflower and broccoli were nice and tasty and al dente.

By now we both felt satisfied but not overfull, and so were able to go the whole hog and have a pudding as well. I ordered a lemon tort with fresh cream (£3.95) and Simon chose spotted dick with ice cream (£3.95). Both were delicious.

My tort had a light biscuit base with plenty of light lemon topping. It tasted lemony, as you would expect, but not overpoweringly so. It also didn't make me feel overfull as it was so light.

Simon's pudding was again very light, which is unusual, he said, with such a choice. Spotted dick can be heavy and stodgy, but the sponge here was very light and again tasty.

We finished off with coffee before heading back off home, with our bill, including a couple of drinks each, totalling £47.50. So once again, I'm urging you to head out there. And keep the tip-offs coming readers!

ADDRESS

The Leaking Tap, Shrewsbury Road, Cockshutt, Ellesmere SY12 0JQ

Tel:01939 270636

Web: www.theleakingtap.org

MENU SAMPLE

STARTERS

Goats cheese & sweet red onion tart with a spring onion topping, dressed salad leaves and tomato salsa (£4.85)

Thai cod & prawn fish cakes with a sweet chilli dip and dressed salad leaves (£4.75)

MAINS

Leek and parsnip cheese bake topped with sliced potato and parsnip shavings (£7.95)

Home-made steak and ale pie in a rich meaty gravy topped with shortcrust pastry (£7.95)

SIDES