Address: Moss Lane, Whittle-le-Woods, PR6 8AB.

Phone number: 01257 232889.

Lancashire Telegraph review by John Anson from November 6, 2010.

Good company and good food in pleasant surroundings — arguably the perfect Friday night out.

And thankfully, Malthouse Farm was up to the job when it came to two of the three essentials, all we had to do was turn up.

Malthouse Farm is very much a dining pub — I try and avoid the term gastro pub — and does get very busy so you might be best advised booking ahead over the weekend period.

The whole place is geared up for convivial dining with lots of alcoves and small spaces dotted around.

It’s got a wonderfully olde-worlde feel, even though it is a relatively modern build.

Leave yourself plenty of time to choose because the options are extensive.

There’s the printed menu plus masses of specials chalked up around the walls.

After much changing of mind, I finally settled on the venison pie, partly because it was a new one on me.

The better half went for the Moroccan lamb burger on flatbread.

With both mains under a tenner, they proved to be both excellent value for money.

The venison dish was a real treat. Tender meat encased in light suet pastry served with light, fluffy mash and served with a strong red wine gravy which added an extra dimension.

The better half’s offering took the humble burger to another level.

A large helping of fresh tatziki and sweet potato wedges gave the whole thing a different dimension and I was forced to help out.

As a result we didn’t have room to do some of the great sounding puddings justice.

But seeing as though we’ll definitely be returning, I suspect we’ll get the chance eventually.

Lancashire Telegraph review by Gill Ellis from February 29, 2008.

The Malthouse Farm in Whittle-le-Woods may have been built in the 21st century but it has a lovely olde worlde feel about it.

Wooden beams abound, paneled walls, plate racks, and nooks and crannies around every corner.

It may be part of a larger chain but its rustic charm is all-encompassing.

The menu is varied but not overwhelmingly so.

The bar caters for everyone, particularly wine lovers, with an excellent selection to suit all budgets.

There's an interesting range of starters, all under £5, but we went straight for the mains.

I opted for a vegetarian dish, "penne pasta with sautéed mushrooms and roasted peppers in a tomato and basil sauce."

After such a promising write-up, it was a big disappointment. The pasta was not fresh, the sauce tasteless and could well have come out of a bottle. The vegetables and the hearty portion-size were its saving grace.

My husband went for the mixed grill in a pepper sauce.

His large oval plate came piled up with rump steak, gammon, chicken breast, sausages, black pud, onion rings, fried tomatoes and chips, with a fried egg on top, and a jug of sauce.

It sounds immense and yet with a little help from a reformed veggie, we managed to clear his plate.

The menu writes of the pub's great relationship with the butcher and a 35-day period for hanging the meat, it was certainly apparent in that meal.

All the steaks were tasty, tender and clearly top quality cuts, the sausages and black pud, delicious.

And his lordship even found room for hot apple pie and custard, which I am told tasted as good as it looked - mouth-wateringly delicious.

With a half a guiness, a glass of wine and two coffees, it came to just over thirty quid.

The service was slow, but the ambiance so relaxing, why hurry.

As a serious carnivore, I'd certainly go back, but I can understand why my veggie pal declined my invitation.

Lancashire Telegraph review by John Anson from August 12 2006.

Sometimes when you go out for a meal you don't really want anything too fancy - or too expensive.

But as a diner you still have standards which means you require an establishment with a good atmosphere, friendly, efficient service and a good selection of quality fare.

So where do you go? May I sugest you consider the Malthouse Farm, hidden away next to the Travel Inn at Whittle-le-Woods.

With the canal flowing past and a large decked area it would be an ideal place to while away a few hours in the sun.

Inside there's a genuine olde-world charm to the pub with its thick walls, wood panelling and beams even if it is actually a modern building.

Unlike some chain pubs it doesn't feel as though it has all been staged and it has a great relaxing feel to it.

The standard menu is full of traditional pub meals but take a look at all the specials boards before you make a final selection.

Tempting though the specials were I opted for the roast ham, egg and chips at £6.50 while the better half went for scampi, chips and peas again at £6.50.

A word of praise for the service which was attentive without being intrusive - it was also nice to be asked what sauces we would like and to have them served in dishes rather than plastic packets.

The ham, egg and chips was simple but delicious - two thick slices of ham, two fried eggs and a mound of chips.

Just what the doctor ordered.

The scampi was equally well done - and in plentiful supply.

It's always useful to know of another establishment you can safely add to the 'I don't feel like cooking tonight' list.

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