12:33pm Thursday 14th January 2010
By Diana Deal
The Hop Pole, Woods Hill, Limpley Stoke, Bath BA2 7FS.
(01225) 723134
During the recent cold snap, my husband, daughter and I decided to cheer ourselves up with a night out at a local pub.
We chose the Hop Pole at Limpley Stoke, chiefly because it is local but also because I have been there many times with friends for a drink and have always enjoyed the atmosphere.
We arrived to find a log fire burning but, probably because of the snow outside, no one else in the lounge bar which serves as a dining room. However, the sound of laughter and chat came over from the nearby public bar so we didn’t feel so isolated.
We were served very quickly – too quickly – by the attentive young barmaid who asked what we wanted to drink even before we had properly taken off our coats.
However, we settled down for a leisurely look at the menu and the specials board. We decided to forgo the starters and, for mains, I was tempted by the Neston Park Farm steaks at £14 and £15 and the steak and ale pie.
But eventually I chose chicken breast stuffed with Stilton and leeks with sage cream sauce, served with a salad.
My husband chose venison steak in a rich red wine and mushroom gravy with mixed vegetables – turnip, cauliflower and carrots – which he enjoyed.
He and I shared a plate of sauté potatoes, which to my mind were more fried than sautéed but were nevertheless good.
My chicken was lovely, although slightly too much for me to finish. The sauce was particularly tasty and worked well with the potatoes and salad.
My daughter chose the Thai-style vegetable curry but, judging how often she nabbed some of my delicious creamy sauce, she preferred my dish to her curry.
However, she finished her curry which came complete with dried coconut and other accompaniments.
For pudding my husband enjoyed a traditional sticky toffee pudding with ice cream. My daughter and I shared a very lemony cheesecake which, unusually, came in a glass.
The service was very friendly and we enjoyed our night out in what is essentially a locals’ pub.
The bill for the three of us, including drinks, came to £53.
Country pub set in area of outstanding natural beauty /p p Real ales
Outdoor toilets
Snacks and restaurant
Enclosed garden
Near Kennet and Avon canal
Our Eating Out is an independent review carried out by the Gazette without prior knowledge of the owners.
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.thisiswiltshire.co.uk/trade_directory/