The Pack Horse at Affetside

Another Saturday luncheon episode now! The Pack Horse Inn at Affetside, a quite charming and intrinsic little Lancashire hamlet, has long since been a regular haunt of my father's side of the family, yet oddly enough this was my first visit. Having never been before, I was not versed in how the old coaching inn presented itself in the past, but I was reliably informed that it had recently been undertaken by new management and given a total revamp.

Even for a first timer such as myself, this was obvious from the moment I walked in, nay from the moment I saw the building. Some serious wonga has clearly been spent, both on the inside and out, yet not in a brash and vulgar fashion, but instead in a tastefully coordinated manner. Really, especially with regards to the interior, it really does feel well thought out and is executed so, yet more than that - it is an incredibly nice place to be.

Of course, aesthetics can only be skin deep, so let us look at more of the heart of the place. All the elements mentioned above, plus welcoming and efficient staff meant the generated atmosphere was one of a light and crisp nature, whilst still smacking of a hearty and comfortable country pub. What's more, the place is obviously popular as there were plenty in, which always gives off an extra buzz to proceedings. 

Now the menu itself (a core and essential staple of any such establishment of course!) was well presented and extensive; everything read very well and from what I saw of the food in the flesh, it was made well too. I personally was treated to a very individual and extremely nuanced hand-made pork pie, followed by a delicious pea and mushroom risotto topped with supremely char-grilled chicken. Both on the menu and on the table, the food was simply excellent; conceived very well, excellently presented and sublime to eat. 

Faults? Not too many. The way in which the restaurant is laid out (whilst broadly great) does leave you feeling a tad cut off from proceedings if you are sat in a distant alcove, and whilst the staff were well presented and efficient, the time in which they took to do their duty was a bit too long. However these really are little niggles, and small price to pay for what to me was a great afternoon at a great establishment; one that I would be happy to repeat.