Address: Worston, Near Clitheroe

Phone number: 01200 441218

Lancashire Telegraph review by Gill Johnson from July 23, 2011

NO, said the waitress at the Calf’s Head at Worston when she answered my phone query, you don’t need to book.

But when we saw the full-to-bursting car park we wondered if there would be a table — and it was only a Tuesday evening.

There seemed to be just one available, thank goodness and the reason, we discovered, was because it was quiz night.

I’m not too sure, however, about enjoying a night out with my sister, who is on a flying visit from Devon, with several dozen contestants showing off their general knowledge.

Yes, we did end up answering the questions between ourselves, but then it made for rather difficult general conversation.

We were in agreement, however, that the food served by the Ribble Valley ‘country restaurant, hotel and watering hole’ is very hearty and very plentiful.

I opted again for my favourite, tender and tasty lamb shoulder in a mint and honey gravy, at £10.45 while little sis had a sea food pancake, which was bursting with pieces of fish, in a rich, cheesy sauce and was priced at £8.65.

A big plus point here is that you can opt for either new, roast chipped or baked potatoes.

A jacket one was my choice and it came with a crispy coat and fluffy inside.

I can’t say, though that the vegetable selection was particularly inspiring — carrot batons and boring peas.

But, for the first time in a many a long meal, there was a dessert selection that oozed choice, from fresh strawberries, to toffee pavlova, to a decadent chocolate scrap heap, topped with Maltesers and Mars Bars, as well as a cheese board.

Lancashire Telegraph review by Kimberley Hall from October 30, 2009.

LOOKING for some comforting soul food on a cold, wet Thursday night we ended up at the Calf’s Head.

It’s deceptively quiet when you walk in, but when seated in the large l-shaped conservatory, most of the tables were occupied and it was bustling without being too noisy – the perfect atmosphere.

We ordered vegetable fingers and dip to share for starter, and I eventually chose a fillet steak with peas, carrots, chips and onion rings and a pink and green peppercorn sauce. My boyfriend went for a four cheese pasta dish with garlic bread and salad garnish.

After devouring the huge plate of fresh vegetables and thousand island dressing, we were asked if we wanted our mains straight away, and were greeted with plentiful plates full of great-looking food.

The real test though is the taste. For me, the steak was cooked just as I asked – rare.

Often restaurant steaks have at least one fatty bit that I won’t eat but here every last bit was eaten.

My boyfriend enjoyed the pasta dish, but it defeated him and he couldn’t finish it.

I was upset. This is no criticism of the food, only that I don’t like leaving chips, but I had to leave room for pudding.

Although they had none of my first choice of sorbet left, I got plenty to make up for it and couldn’t finish it all.

With a coffee, and a couple of drinks each, the bill came to just over £40.

For food of this standard, it was great value and I wouldn’t hesitate for a return visit.

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