Black Lion Hotel, Ellesmere

is 'evicted' from home to make way for a teenage party but soon finds a warm welcome nearby.

Kicked out of our house on New Year's Eve because of a teenage house party, hubbie and I were loathe to go far.

Neither of us fancied the crowded pubs of Shropshire's large towns on New Year's Eve or indeed having to drive.

So it was an easy choice to walk into Ellesmere and enjoy a meal.

The Black Lion won us over as it served meals unto 9.30pm enabling us to call in at friends on the way.

Despite our last minute booking and preference for a late table, we were reassured this was no problem and indeed enjoyed a warm welcome on a cold night when we arrived.

The Black Lion uses its space cleverly. Its bar has stood the test of time, changing little in the 35 years I have known it. Wooden tables, an open fire and bar meals are on offer.

However what used to be a tiny snug at the back has been transformed into modern, comfortable lounge with leather sofas and armchairs, an ideal place to meet up with friends by day or by night.

And it also has two restaurant areas for more formal dining.

We were shown to our table and were able to choose from a special festive menu.

Now usually these are pretty boring but I was delighted to find a good choice of fayre.

Unable to decide from several starters, Mel and I opted for the mushrooms and the black pudding stack and shared them.

It was a great idea. The locally sourced black pudding was moist and rich and served with mozzerella cheese and beef tomato while the mushrooms in a lovely sauce proved the perfect accompaniment.

Mel went for the Black Lion's Hunters Chicken for his main course. A large breast of chicken wrapped in cheese and bacon and smothered in the chef Gareths's renowned barbecue sauce. It arrived with plenty of chips!

It had been really tough not choosing Hunter's Chicken myself. But in the interests of the taste test I went for the salmon.

I would have preferred traditional Hollandaise sauce as an accompaniment rather than the strangely chosen creamy sauce with spring onions. I was reassured the spring onions would not be too strong, and they weren't.

But I still think Hollandaise would have been better - perhaps I am just too traditional.

I went for potatoes and veg for my accompaniment. Good choice. There were both new and roast potatoes and an excellent choice of vegetables that were not overcooked.

It was interesting to eavesdrop on other diners' conversations. A couple of chaps at the next table, where a group of 'mature' friends were enjoying their New Year's Eve, were heard to say 'they always do a good gammon here'.

Enjoying a regular clientele has to be one of the keys to success particularly in these difficult times.

But the Black Lion isn't complacent and we noticed it was offering some special deals for January.

We could have happily stopped at our two courses. But we knew we should stay out until after the magic midnight hour.

So after a pause we ordered our puds. The homemade desserts were thankfully not full of that synthetic cream or mousse that features so heavily in many pub puddings.

I soon polished off my cheesecake and then weighed in to help Mel finish his Maltezer Madness, one of three ice-cream based desserts on the menu.

The friendly waiter and waitress would have been happy for us to stay at the table as long as we wanted.

But conscious they might want to go and celebrate themselves, we retired to the comfy sofas for a nightcap before finally setting off home arriving outside just in time to watch fireworks heralding in 2011 above us and hear the teenagers inside count down to midnight and welcome in the New Year.

ADDRESS

The Black Lion Hotel, Scotland Street, Ellesmere SY12 0EG

Tel: 01691 622418

MENU SAMPLE

STARTERS

Chef's own chicken liver and wild mushroom pate enriched with brandy and cream. £3.95; Goat's Cheese tart, homemade tartlet case filled with red onions and goat's cheese served with tomato chutney £3.95; Jalapeno peppers filled with cream cheese and deep fried. £3.50

MAIN COURSES

Slowly braised shoulder of lamb in minty marinade in rich gravy. £8.95; Mushroom stroganoff served with basmati rice. £7.25; Scampi and chips/cod and chips £7.50.

DESSERTS

All £3.95 - Knickerbocker Glory, Luxury mixed fresh fruit with an iced berry sorbet

SERVICE

Friendly and professional

ATMOSPHERE

Quiet and welcoming

DISABLED FACILITIES

One step into part of the dining area but parts on the flat. Disabled facilities.