We had visited the heritage and antiques centre at Elsecar in the morning and found this gastro-pub just a few miles away in Hemingfield, South Yorkshire as we left so decided to try it for lunch. The carpark had several cars in it which, as I have said in previous reviews, is always a good sign for any establishment.
Welcomed with a cheery smile by, I presume, the manager we were quickly shown to our table. There was some background music playing on the sound system, some contemporary easy-listening, but without us asking she turned off the speaker next to our table so that we weren’t overwhelmed. A nice touch.
The pub is, as I say, a gastro-pub but with a hint of country tearoom. Light grey walls are hung with white painted hearts, pleated blinds hang at the windows and painted sayings adorn the walls such as “family time is the best time”. Not my cup of tea but, hey, the place is popular so they’re obviously doing something right.
The menu has a good choice of main meals, sandwiches, lighter bites and salads and I chose the Haddock and Prawns with Creamed Potatoes in a Garlic and Prawn Sauce from the mains. My wife went for one of the salads with olives topped off with a Cajun Haddock fillet. For drinks Mrs Wanderer went for a nice shiraz and I chose half of Beavertown Neck Oil IPA having had this before at another establishment. Superb.
The dishes are clearly cooked to order and on arrival my overwhelming impression was the portion size. Huge. My haddock fillet, if I had been cooking it at home, would have happily served two people but always up for a challenge I didn’t baulk at it. The creamed potatoes, mash by any other name, were light and, well, creamy and the sauce was a delight. The ribbons of spring greens were well flavoured and the two accompanying carrots were caramelised and sweet.
For me the dish was let down by a non-crispy skin to the haddock which I diligently peeled off. The fish was obviously poached but I would have preferred some crisping of the skin beforehand. The manager did confirm that it had been poached in the sauce but that they could sear the skin if required on our next visit. Good to know that they are flexible. Having said all that the haddock was poached perfectly and flaked nicely under the fork.
As for the challenge, I’m afraid that the portion size did get the better of me and the haddock and potatoes won the fight. Still, I was pleasantly, but not overly, full.
All-in-all a lovely meal and I’d be more than happy to make a return visit. Highly recommended if only for the portion size!
The Willoughton Wanderer 
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