Review of 'Black Lion '

The original Black Lion Inn dates from 1664 and is still going strong with good tasting food in amazing surroundings. We had a reservation for dinner at 6:30 pm on a Saturday with the ground floor pub area quite busy and our being shown to our table in the front room on the quiet first floor where others with reservations were seated (walk-ins were accepted even on a busy Saturday). The interior of this ancient pub are as you might expect: Low ceilings, many small rooms, wonky floors, walls and ceilings, which, of course, it all part of the charm. Our view out the front window of the first floor was of the roof of the “Cheshire Cat” pub opposite but we can't complain.

The specials of the day are on a chalkboard on the ground floor with the menu otherwise simply a single-sided sheet of A4 divided into “Starters”, and “Main Dishes”…that's it. Sure a few sides listed towards the bottom of the mains but it is extremely simple. There is a separate (small0 dessert menu which was presented to us after we had finished our mains but we were too far gone by then…

For my starter I went with the intriguing sounding “Wild Mushroom & Black Pudding Pastry” (“Pastry case with a ragout of wild mushrooms and black pudding”; £5.95) which was quite bland despite containing the black pudding though reasonably tasty. The pastry was crispy and the mushrooms (more chestnut than wild if you ask me) were not overcooked though did taste a bit like they had been a tin. A disappointing start.

My companion opted for the “Soup” [of the day] (“Chefs freshly prepared soup of the day with wholemeal bread”; £4.75) which was “Leek and Potato”. This was also similarly bland but perfectly adequate in a generous portion with nicely thick pieces of (soft) granary bread.

For my main I opted for the “Breaded Scampi, Calamari & Prawns” (“Deep fried seafood with chips and home-made tartare sauce”; £14.95) which was quite good. The prawns were served in a thin deep-fried tube of pastry but otherwise the scampi and calamari were as you might expect, nicely not overcooked or chewy though. The chips were good and chunky with a crunchy exterior and fluffy interior, again, no complaints there. The tartare sauce was easily forgettable, alas.

My companion opted for the “Chefs Choice of Fresh Fish from the market” (today it was “Rainbow trout fillet, new potatoes, asparagus, tenderstem broccoli + creamy dill sauce”; £14.95) which was quite good with the fish perched (no pun intended) on top of the nicely boiled potatoes. The vegetables were nicely al dente. No amazing flavours but tasted ok.

At £57 for the two of us (with 2 pints of cider and 2 pints of soft drink) it was a bit on the pricy side but tasted ok. Service was reasonably pleasant though, as we were up the stairs on the first floor, we only saw our server 3 or 4 times. The food was perfectly adequate, better than you might get in many pubs, but nothing really terrific. The menu did not exactly thrill either…but they, at least, do a reasonable job at what is on it.

Rating: “It is OK but I have some issues”

Review Date: 2022-08-20

Cuisine: Pub

Address: 29 Welsh Row, Nantwich, Cheshire CW5 5ED ENGLAND

Location: Cheshire (England) - Nantwich

Map:

Telephone: +44 (0) 1270 628711

URL: https://blacklionnantwich.co.uk/