Having had a terrible experience at one local gastropub recently I was hoping for my faith in the species to be restored by The Radcliffe Arms. We arrived to find a studious older chap doing the books with a bowl of sausages at hand for the dog lazing at his feet. No pretentious art. No tatty 'TV make over' style decorations. Just a light clean room. The younger chap behind the bar immediately offered us the Monday Club menu (two starter, two mains, a dessert to share for £35). We declined and ordered off the suitably wide ranging a la carte menu.
My companion assured me that Confit sea trout, Gravlax, horseradish Pannacotta and prawn croustilliant was nice, the gravlax more so than the trout. I tasted the pannacotta and found it fiery and interesting if possibly served in too large a portion. She also enjoyed a Confit potato tian, mushrooms, spinach and crispy parmesan which to me tasted of truffle not mentioned on the menu.
That could I guess have been some rogue truffle left from my starter of Carpaccio of Beef, rocket, parmesan and truffle dressing. The carpaccio was very nice, salad fresh (which is my number one wish with a salad) and the portion large for a starter.
Slow cooked pork, cabbage salad, spring onions, soy and ginger, with crispy wontons was even more substantial and influenced by Chinese cooking without being anything you'd find too often in a Chinese restaurant. I liked it.
Dessert of Sticky Carrot Cake, toffee sauce, vanilla ice cream and strawberry (one) was excellent. Very moreish.
So The Radcliffe Arms did just what I'd hoped: restored my faith in the ability of a pub to deliver fresh, tasty, cooked from scratch food in a timely, friendly fashion.
Wine was £6 for a large glass. I didn't study the bill, since I was a guest but starters range from £6-9 and mains from £15-19.
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