Just 10 miles outside Ludlow, along the Bridgnorth Road, you will find the Boyne Arms – a unique experience in fine dining.
An upmarket take on the country pub, it boasts an airy and well-presented bar area, with a spacious adjoining restaurant which feels like a grand country house dining room.
My friend Jo and I arrived a few minutes early and were greeted by hostess Nere Yardley. She served us drinks and led us to the restaurant. With four ceiling chandeliers, and the light green walls hung with large canvasses depicting countryside scenes, the restaurant is impressive – and I’m happy to report that the adventurous menu lived up to the expectations the setting created.
Nere took our orders and brought us a selection of warm bread to choose from while we waited. For starters, I had the Wenlock Edge farm Moseique of pork, with apple, apricot and mint chutney, while Jo chose the soup of the day, leek and potato.
My starter portion was very generous. The pork was served on a light bread, which was wonderfully crispy on the outside and soft inside – an ideal accompanying texture.
Jo found her soup to be wonderfully creamy and added that the garlic croutons were a good finishing touch.
For the main course, I chose pan roasted rump of spring lamb, roasted Mediterranean vegetable puree, dauphinoise potatoes and Bordeaux jus, while Jo decided on pan fried fillet of Welsh coast sea bass, bramley apple and crab risotto, with sage and tomato jus.
I found the strong flavours of the vegetable puree were a brilliant counterbalance to the more delicate flavouring in the potato. My lamb was cooked well and I thought that particular combination work-ed nicely together.
Jo’s sea bass was cooked to perfection. She said it was neither too dry nor too moist and she thoroughly enjoyed it.
When it came to dessert, we were spoilt for choice. The Boyne Arms has a wide selection on the a la carte menu but was also offering a range of specials for all three courses.
I ordered apple tart with vanilla bean ice cream and Jo picked raspberry creme brulee with bitter chocolate terrine.
After copious amounts of food in the first two courses, we both found the desserts to be just the right size. Sweet, but not sickening, both dishes were really well put together.
The puff pastry tart was delicious and a nice change from the traditional tart I was expecting. Jo found the bitterness of the chocolate exactly complemented the sweetness of the creme brulee in a delicately balanced dish.
Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed our meal. Our hostess was always attentive without being intrusive and the gaps between courses were just the right length. During the evening, both the restaurant and bar began to fill up and based on my own experience, I would say the Boyne Arms is deservedly popular.
The Boyne continues to impress with its popular “World Food Nights”.
The next gastronomic event is on April 17, when there is a South American Night with wines and traditional tapas all for £14.95 – including a talk on Latin wines.
Other attractions at the Boyne include: traditional Sunday lunch – fresh local ingredients, traditional Brit-ish country dishes. Sample menu: crispy breaded whitebait, roast leg of free range Shropshire pork, apple and blackberry crumble. 1 course £11.95; 2 courses £13.95; 3 courses £16.95
There is also an extensive bar snacks menu; a wide variety of real ales; beautiful child-friendly garden; efficient, friendly staff; Stable Bar: private converted barn in the grounds with pool table, private bar and meeting facilities. The Boyne Arms also offers free wi-fi.
