Harp & Crown

Velly Hill, Gastard

(01249) 715697

THE Harp & Crown on the main road through Gastard has been a feature of village life for well over a century.

I'd often seen people enjoying a drink out the front of the pub but never realised there was such a lovely garden to the rear, with beautiful flower beds, runner beans trailing round an arch, hanging baskets dripping with blooms and a small children's play area.

As is was such a lovely day we thought we'd brave the wasps and sit outside in the sunshine, but there is also an attractive stone floored conservatory for diners and I spotted a cosy snug next to the bar, ideal for a larger party.

The menu is a celebration of pub classics: ham, egg and chips; sausage and mash; chicken Kiev; alongside the usual selection of burgers and steaks. It was a Sunday, so there was also a choice of roasts for a very reasonable £7.95.

I opted for a childhood favourite, scampi and chips (£9.95), and Dan chose the steak and ale pie (£9.95).

The mound of scampi and thick cut chips was nicely presented on a sheet of newspaper print greaseproof paper, peas in a separate pot and a generous portion of tartare sauce. The chips were delicious, crispy on the outside and soft and fluffy within. The scampi was at it should be, sweet and juicy prawns with just the right amount of crunch on the batter.

The steak and ale pie, which also came with thick cut chips and peas, was served in a dish, with a puff pastry lid. I think Dan would have preferred more pastry but he said the stew itself, with tender meat and slices of mushrooms, was very tasty.

There were five desserts on offer, all at £4.95, served with a choice of cream, ice cream or custard. Sadly the kitchen had run out of raspberry sauce for the Eton mess, so we went for the caramelised cider apple crumble and the banoffee pie. Fortunately the waitress had warned me that the crumble was served cold - it was actually more like an apple pie, with a sprinkle of crumble on top - but it was pleasant enough, as was the banoffee pie, with its thick slices of sweet banana and toffee under a layer of whipped cream.

Lunch for two, with two glasses of wine and two pints of beer was a very reasonable £44.40.

There's nothing remotely pretentious about the Harp & Crown - it's a traditional village pub, popular with locals and their families. You won't get fine dining or fancy dishes, but what you will get is a good-priced menu of pub classics, cooked well and served with a smile by helpful and friendly staff. And there's a lot to be said for that.