THE Redwell Inn, between Arkholme and Over Kellet, is that sort of country inn you can so easily drive by without giving it a second thought.
Indeed, I have done so on numerous occasions.
However, having discovered the place had recently been taken over by new owners, I decided it would be worth checking out.
I was not disappointed.
But first let’s deal with the Redwell Inn’s internal appearance, which has been finished like something out of a Grand Designs renovation. It is obvious that a lot of money has been spent and the attention to detail, particularly in the decor, is impressive. The place is also spacious.
My other half and I visited on a particularly cold evening and the large industrial wood burning stove provided a welcome glow - especially as we were given a table just a couple of strides from it.
So, the setting was spot on. Now, what about the food? Well, as already indicated, it was not disappointing. As usual, we decided to share a starter and a pudding, only going our own ways with the mains.
The starter was pan-fried tiger prawns with a Thai dressing, sticky Thai rice and cucumber salsa. The prawns were quite smokey, which Natalja didn’t like as much as I did, but she certainly didn’t dismiss the dish as a failure.
For her main, she chose a delicious butternut tortellini, curried carrot cream with candied pine nuts, while I settled on line-caught haddock in real ale batter, chunky chips and mushy peas. The haddock was one of the biggest I’ve seen on a plate and it was spot on. The accompanying seasonal vegetables were beautifully cooked and flavoursome – a real complement to the meal and not just, as in many restaurants, a token contribution to the five-a-day tally.
The shared pudding – baked passion-fruit soufflé, white chocolate sauce and orange sherbert – was also a delight.
Altogether, a very pleasant experience and not out of the way at £35, including drinks.
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