Address: Billinge End Road, Pleasington, Blackburn, BB2 6QB.

Phone: 01254 201163.

The Bolton News review by David Magilton from June 24, 2010.

AFTER a walk in the countryside you tend to build up a hearty appetite and this is one of the best places to satisfy it.

The price is perhaps a bit more than you would pay at most local eateries, but after sampling the food at this welcoming gastropub, it is well worth the extra.

My wife and I went at lunchtime with a couple of friends to the pub situated just through the attractive village of Pleasington.

It is one of a handful run by award-winning chef Nigel Haworth, and his deliciously tempting, contemporary twists on traditional local favourites were a winner with the four of us.

Originally known as the Bay Horse Inn, its unusual name came about because clogs and billycock (a kind of bowler hat) were the favourite attire of a landlord who took over in the early 20th century — and somehow the idea stuck.

As soon as we walked into the attractively decorated pub we saw delicious-looking food whisk past on trays to be served at the wooden tables by friendly and efficient staff.

It operates a “take your seat, check the number of the table and go and place your order service” — that is the only similarity to the system operated by many bland chains.

There is a diverse menu catering for most tastes and pocket, from soup and a sandwich to ribeye steak. There are vegetarian options and a children’s menu.

We started with delicious warm homemade bread and tasty dips of black and marrowfat pea with preserved cherry tomatoes, followed by stems of thick asparagus, the best I have ever tasted.

It was difficult to decide what to have from the excellent choice on the main course, but there were no complaints from the four varied meals.

The men’s choice of fish and chips and steak and kidney pudding, mash and vegetables, may sound uninspiring, but it was perfectly cooked and presented and were mouthwateringly delicious.

The women went for a ploughman platter of Lancashire cheese, York ham, Scotch egg, and homemade pickles and a selection of local seafood, which comprised smoked salmon, smoked kipper, hot smoked trout, potted Morecambe Bay shrimps, smoked mackerel pâté, pickled cucumber, beetroot relish and horseradish cream.

The food quality reflects the aim to use locally sourced produce.

We were pretty full and, although the double chocolate mousse, English summer trifle and traditional Bramley apple pie, carnation milk and custard, all sounded mouth-watering, we plumped for a couple of scoops of home made ice cream, which slipped down a treat.

There is an extensive wine list which is not over priced and there are several half-litre options for a tenner, while there is a nice selection of beers.

Not a cheap lunch at £20 each with drinks and coffee, but worth every penny.

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