ON A Friday night the Borough is packed full of drinkers and diners and the atmosphere is vibrant – a good place to go with friends but not for a romantic evening meal.

While standing at the bar ordering a house white wine before sitting down, I was made aware that it has gained several Taste Lancashire awards, been entered in the ‘Good Beer Guide’ and won a Camra award.

The pleasantly decorated Grade Two listed building, has also been recommended in the Michelin Guide to Eating Out in Pubs for 2009 and 2010 and so I had no doubt the food would be anything other than good.

Once seated, I found myself flicking the pages of the menu back and forth, thinking that there must be more mains to the menu. Unfortunately not. The choice was very limited – although every taste was catered for with red meat, white meat, fish and vegetarian options. I chose the chicken breast with chorizo sausage.

When I eat out, I like something that I cannot make at home and although steak and mussels were on the menu, both dishes which I enjoy, it didn’t feel ‘special’.

I reminded myself that I was in a pub, but the prices – £13 for a chicken breast dish plus an extra £2 for chips to go with it ( my friend ordered a fillet steak which cost £23) – were a touch more expensive than I would have expected.

Don’t get me wrong, the food was delicious – the chicken was tender and the sauce with the chorizo sausage very tasty. It was also well presented – all in all a very appetising main – and the service was very good too.

The friendly staff cleared away the plates as soon as everyone had finished in our group of eight and we were handed the menus once again to order desserts.

This time, I could have ordered the whole menu. Pannacotta or torte? Tough decision but I opted for the Irish cream Torte. Delicious, although the biscuit base was hard and shot across my plate when I plunged my spoon in.

I found the Borough quite pricey, but the food was of real quality, in good surroundings, and with great service.

  • VERDICT: Real quality in good surroundings