Bucks Head, Church Stretton

takes up a recommendation and enjoys some plain but good-quality food.

Once the festive season is over I often feel the need for some plain, unfussy but good-quality pub food.

In fact, I often feel the need for something similar during the rest of the year! More complicated food is all well and good but it does get a little much and rather overwhelms the palate when taken too often.

And it does take some skill to prepare a decent steak and chips or homemade pie with some tasty vegetables.

Last week we had finally finished entertaining and being entertained, so off we set for said pub food.

Mention had been made by a friend of how good the pub food was at the Bucks Head in Church Stretton and off we went.

It has not long been refurbished and is a pretty building right in the heart of Church Stretton, nestling under the Long Mynd.

The menu is not pages and pages long (when it is, how much of it can be said to be fresh?) and there is specials board which changes regularly, along with the choice of homemade desserts.

Emphasis is placed on using fresh meat, poultry and vegetables where possible and if you stay overnight in one of the letting bedrooms it will be local bacon and sausage on your plate in the morning.

There is also a good choice for vegetarians and children.

It was a Tuesday when we visited and therefore a little quiet, but there were a few people in the bar and the welcome was warm.

We took drinks and menu to a table in the restaurant area and our decisions were pretty quickly made.

We were going to pass on a starter, but Neil spotted prawns with a chilli dip on the specials board menu (£5.25), and couldn't resist them.

There were plenty of them, served with a good salad garnish and plenty of sweet sauce.Juicy and refreshing was the verdict.

For main course, I went for a plaice fillet (£9.25) and Neil an eight-ounce gammon (£10.35). They both came with a choice of potatoes and we both chose chips.

My plaice was a good size with plenty of brilliant-white fish inside the breadcrumb coating which was just crispy enough.

There was a mountain of thick golden chips and a fresh salad alongside with peas. What a decent portion, I thought, and then came the side dish of vegetables for both of us . . . making it a meal to satisfy even the biggest appetite.

Sadly neither of us could do justice to the crisp selection of vegetables but we did try!

Neil's gammon was juicy and most probably weighed around ten ounces and his egg was nice and runny - perfect. He too had a similar mountain of chips with peas and salad.

Next we shared a rich and sticky portion of chocolate gateau (£4.65), which we really didn't need, but couldn't resist.

Aside from the expected range of real ales and bar drinks, there's a good choice of wine with several bottles under a tenner.

At the risk of getting on yet another of my high horses about eating out in pubs . . . this is just what we want, not more gastro treats with astronomical prices - that should be left to restaurants.

And we will be returning to the Bucks Head soon. The Sunday lunch menu looks very good and perfect after a walk up on the Long Mynd with the dog.

ADDRESS

Bucks Head, 42 High Street, Church Stretton, SY6 6BX

Tel: 01694 722898

Website: www.the-bucks-head.co.uk

MENU SAMPLE

STARTERS

Homemade soup of the day with roll (£4.50); Paté and toast (£5.20)

MAIN COURSES

8oz sirloin steak served with onion rings, peas and mushrooms with a choice of potatoes and selection of vegetables (£14.95); Cajun chicken with a choice of potatoes and selection of fresh vegetables (£10.25)

DESSERTS

Strawberry roulade (£4.95);Lemon cheesecake (£4.95)

ATMOSPHERE

A little quiet but to be expected on a Tuesday after Christmas

SERVICE

Excellent service from the bar and our waitress

DISABLED FACILITIES

No disabled toilet but flat access means wheelchairs can easily get in