REVIEW: Our mystery diner's take on The Knowles Arms, Blackburn

After all it was one of the pubs to go to as part of a night out around Blackburn.

Much has changed since those days, not least that the Knowles is now part of the Ego chain and, like many pubs before it, dining rather than drinking has become its stock in trade.

It’s a big place but some clever interior design doesn’t make it feel too cavernous. It’s never exactly going to be intimate but there are some more secluded tables plus larger spaces for the party bookings, of which there seem to be plenty.

The Ego name brings with it a broadly Mediterranean menu ranging from a wide selection of pizzas to tempting specialities.

But as we visited on a Sunday we decided to forgo those treats and instead take advantage of the two courses for £16.95 offer.

Sometimes the menu for these special offers can be fairly limited but the seven starters, six mains and seven puddings should be enough for all but the fussiest diners. (You can opt for three courses for £19.95 but I’d recommend not eating for a day beforehand if you’re going for that option.

We decided to go for a mains/pud combination and I opted for the pan roasted turkey escalope wrapped in prosicutto with sage and onion stuffing while the better half went for the roast rump of lamb (which incurred a £2 supplement).

Both were served with several roast potatoes, large Yorkshire pudding and roasted carrots and parsnips. The dish of mixed greens also arrived for both dishes and a cute little pan of gravy was on the plate allowing you to decide where to pour it.

With the turkey there was also a goodly helping of cranberry sauce (mint with the lamb).

You can find a Sunday roast either a little dry or less than generous but both in quantity and quality the turkey was first rate – several large, thick slices which was flavoursome and moist. The roast potatoes were particularly more-ish. I just wish the little pan of gravy had been slightly bigger – could have done with just that bit more.

I’m not a lamb fan but the better half said it was well prepared, slightly pink and packed with flavour.

There’s a pretty decent selection of wines if that’s what you want and also beers although servers please note, not all of us want to drink straight from the bottle, especially when we’re having a beer with our meal.

A nice touch was the number of mocktails on offer - £3.95 for a non alcoholic mojito was good value.

After a little break it was time for pudding and let’s face it, with chocolate orange panettone bread and butter pudding an option, I didn’t need to look any further.

Fortunately we’d seen a chocolate brownie sundae being delivered to a nearby table so the better half was able to ask for one without the mound of cream.

The bread and butter pud was comfort eating on a plate although a little more custard would have been appreciated.

As we left, comfortably full, the place was really beginning to fill up and get quite lively.

It’s clear that the Knowles Arms is once again on the radar and deservedly so. Just ignore the cheesy pop music blaring out across the car park!