Wednesday 4 November 2009

Chequers Inn – 27th October 2009


Froggatt Edge, Calver, Hope Valley, S32 Tel: 01433 630 231

The Chequers Inn is located on Frogatt Edge on the road to Calver. It’s about a 20 min drive out from the south side of Sheffield. At the weekends it’s best to make a reservation. On weekdays although not quiet, you will still have a few tables to choose from.
We went to the Chequers on a random Tuesday evening. However, many think of it as a Sunday lunch place. It’s a bit of a, ‘bring your aging mother in law and the kids, in your Beemer for Sunday lunch’ pub. Actually we have had a really good Sunday lunch here about 18 months ago. As I recall there were no over boiled vegetables or 70s mash here, a clean nice plate with a succulent piece of pork, fresh greens and tasty roast potatoes (around the £7 mark).
It’s a sort of traditional pub with a modern twist. I always think of it as dark cosy pub with the traditional red carpet, but actually it is bright and airy with wooden floors and not at all scruffy. It has mixed the old/new pub well and they do take the food seriously. No TV here and the walkers leave their boots in the porch. This attention to detail, gives me confidence in the cleanliness of the kitchen and the toilet seat.
The Chequers serves new traditional pub food; duck leg, pork belly and homemade soup to start. Mains are quite manly; pies, calves liver, butternut squash risotto and swordfish. On the pudding menu; Bakewell tart, ginger sponge and cheese. The bar serves a good selection of wines by the glass, I enjoyed a large glass of Ozzie semillion chardonnay (not bad for me on a non-drinking week).
After flying down country lanes in the dark (Winston was driving) my stomach was all over the place and I decided after a meagre lunch I would venture for a mans dish of lamb and rosemary pie on the specials board. The lamb was fairly tender, although the gravy was a little bland with not too much of the rosemary flavour coming through the gravy. The pie crust (most of which someone else ate) was crispy and not soggy or overcooked. The greens were not boiled to within an inch of their life and surprisingly for us, we ate the lot. Winston had the gammon, which was a handsome large piece on the top of a layer of mash.
The service was efficient without being on your table before you have taken your coat off (too quick service puts me off, was it just in the microwave?). We ordered at the bar, and the waitress was friendly and polite.
Starters are between £5-7, main are on average £15 and puddings £5. So good pub food, at restaurant prices. However for two reasonably priced mains, some fresh bread, a bottle of beer and a large glass of vino, it came to £27. Puddings are only needed for the gluttonous here.
Nice pub, good food, not a cheap option when nipping out for tea. Will go back, but next time probably for Sunday lunch. Due to its position in the middle of nowhere this pub has to make sure the food is up to scratch to keep the punters coming, and the walkers deviating for a pint. Can be enjoyed by all the family.
Food and Presentation 7.5/10
Ambiance and Decor: 7.5/10
Quality of Service: 8/10
Overall Product Rating 7.5/10
Recommend to a friend? Yes