Feilden's Arms, Mellor Brook

Phone number: 01254 769010

Lancashire Telegraph review by John Anson from April 27, 2007.

THE Feilden's Arms will be familiar to many who enjoy a good meal.

After one or two problems, it's under new management and serving food, so that was a good enough reason to give it a try.

In terms of decor, little has changed, it remains part village local and part eating establishment.

Although we visited midweek, we were told there would be a half-hour wait for food which I took to be a good sign, although the dining area could hardly be described as busy.

One thing is not in doubt - the quality of the menu.

There is a relatively small number of dishes, many with a Lancashire theme, and all of them sounding delicious.

I went for the Lancashire hotpot at £9.50 while the better half chose the pork belly ribs with stir fried vegetables at £8.50.

After a wait we were shown to our tables in the conservatory-style dining area which could have done with a little background music.

But when the food arrived we soon forgot our surroundings.

The hotpot was served with red cabbage and roasted parsnips, both excellent accompaniments. The dish itself had a golden crust of layered potatoes with beautifully seasoned meat and tender vegetables.

The ribs looked a work of art sitting on a bed of colourful peppers in a tangy, rich sauce. and the meat just fell off the bone.

With just enough room left we ordered sweets - bread and butter pudding with Drambuie cream for me and poached pear in mulled wine and ginger with apricot ice cream for her, both only £3.95.

Again the combination of flavours and textures was perfect and demonstrated real culinary skill.

If only the front of house experience and the atmosphere can match the quality of the food the new Feilden's Arms will be a major success.

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