1:11pm Friday 19th March 2010
By Alison Phillips
The Black Horse, 191 Frome Road, Trowbridge.
(01225) 752632
As parental taxi duties were required on the day itself, the family offered me an early Mother’s Day treat. The signs seemed good when we found the pub is popular enough to have two Sunday lunch sittings.
With my son having a rugby match that morning, we opted for the noon sitting, and were politely told that, although we could arrive later if we wanted, we would have to clear the table by 2pm, which seemed perfectly fair.
The Black Horse is a traditional pub, with a dining area, central bar and a sports bar. All three were busy. There was a good mix of people; couples, littlies in high chairs, and a multi-generation family party.
Cheerful staff welcomed us and told us we could order from the main menu as well as the Sunday lunch.
My husband and daughter, traditionalists that they are, went for roast beef. It came with roast potatoes and Yorkshires on giant piping hot plates and generous dishes of vegetables – oven roasted parsnips and, interestingly, carrots; mashed swede; cauliflower cheese; peas; new potatoes; cabbage and a boatful of gravy.
I went for a mixed meat platter, specifying it should include lamb as it’s one of my favourites but I rarely cook a roast as one of the family isn’t keen.
My son chose the Hunters Chicken, £6.49, from the main menu. This was chicken breast with bacon, covered in a barbecue sauce and mature Cheddar melted topping, and it was so good he said he was adding it to his top 10 favourites and could I cook it at home? His chips were crisp but not oily, and there was a salad.
However there were more than enough vegetables for the four of us and a wide enough selection to have something to please every taste. After a short breather the children snaffled the chocolate orange puddle puddings, himself went for a rhubarb and custard crumble cheesecake and I tried the trio of puddings, a tiny spotted dick, chocolate sponge and sticky toffee, served with piping hot custard. It was all delightful.
The Black Horse is a definite find, an extensive menu, good food and generous portions at family pocket prices.
Our bill came to £48.39 including a round of drinks.
Meals served noon-9pm daily
Typical prices: starters under £4, mains £6-£8, desserts £3.50
Full range of main meals, sandwiches, jacket potatoes etc, with vegetarian options
Children welcome
Small beer garden at the back
Booking recommended on Sundays
Our Eating Out is an independent review carried out by the Times without prior knowledge of the owners.
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