A chance stop at a pub I hadn’t visited in a while turned out to be a good choice one recent Sunday.

The Shire Horse on a retail development on the outskirts of Stafford, isn’t exactly in a picturesque spot, nor is it the most attractive looking pub in the town.

But inside it’s like stepping back to a time of old beams, real ales and country-style furnishings. The venue has been fitted out to resemble a much older style pub and feels warm and cosy even when buzzing with the chatter of diners.

This particular day, Ian and myself had merely popped in for a pint with the intention of heading home to cook Sunday dinner.

But the menu proved too irrestible to miss out on. As well as an extensive specials board, and the traditional Sunday roasts and pub fare, the list included tempting speciality dishes such as the £9.35 Scottish salmon deuce with roasted vegetables.

The starters were also off the beaten track and included antipasti to share for £7.95, or the £4.95 duck and porcini mushroom ravioli. Ian, being vegetarian, chose the mushrooms stuffed with Cashel blue cheese and topped with a herb crumb and dressed leaves.

I went for the oak smoked salmon fishcake with spinach salad and topped with a poached egg. Despite the place being packed to the eaves, our starters arrived, beautifully presented, within 10 minutes.

After years of Sunday lunches as a child, I rarely cook the traditional roast these days, so on this occasion I opted for the roast lamb from the choice of three meats. It arrived after a short wait surrounded by incredibly fresh and perfectly cooked carrots and broccoli, roast potatoes, creamy mash, a Yorkshire pudding and gravy.

The plate wasn’t piled high as you’d get from a carvery, so I was glad I’d had a starter. But the meat was tasty and tender and the two courses left me no room for dessert.

Ian went for the roasted butternut squash red Thai curry with basmati rice from the veggie choices.

Although we skipped desserts, there is a full list of hot and cold puddings, ice cream, or cheese and biscuits from £3.75, and a great choice of teas, fruit infusions and coffees from £1.25.

Fixed menus at certain times of the week are a bargain, with two courses for £8.50 and three for £10. Food is served every day Monday to Saturday 11am to 10pm, and Sunday 12noon to 9.30pm.

by Debbie Bennett

The Shire Horse
Hurricane Close, Stone Road, Stafford

Tel: 01785 270700