LOCATED just off the A590 between Grange and Ulverston, The Crown Inn is now one of my top three places to dine in Cumbria.

The staff were jolly, the setting was traditional but modern, and the food was incredible. The only disappointment of the evening was that I just could not fit in a dessert!

The bar area had a great atmosphere with locals relaxing and laughing, and we were quickly shown to our seat. We settled in a snug, little spot, although there was plenty of seating close to the roaring fire.

In fact, whether you wanted to warm up, sit in a big group or be more private and cosy, there was somewhere for everyone, which we liked.

For starters, I opted for the poached hen’s egg with glazed asparagus, puff pastry, crushed serrano and chive buerre blanc. The flavours complemented each other amazingly, and every bite was incredible.

My partner had the vegetable and ham hock soup, which came with lovely baked bread. The portion was huge, and perfect for a snowy winter’s evening. This would also be great for someone who only wanted a light bite.

For mains, I went for the burger, made with meat from the award-winning Higginson’s butcher in Grange. And what a burger it was! Cooked perfectly and extremely juicy and thick, it was really tasty and the bun was also delicious. The chips were home-made and the salad a nice accompaniment.

The other half chose the pan roasted breast of guinea fowl, with black pudding bon bons, mashed potato, vegetables and a mustard and whisky sauce.

He described it as ‘top notch’, and could not find a negative comment about any aspect of it. He also liked the local beer and the fact that we were served ‘restaurant’ food in a ‘cosy pub location’.

We heard about The Crown Inn through word-of-mouth, and it is certainly a gem that we will revisit – if only for the pudding I couldn’t manage this time.

The cost for two people, two courses, was £41, excluding drinks.

VERDICT

  • Food: 10
  • Service: 9
  • Atmosphere: 9
  • Value: 9