The Poachers Pocket, Gledrid

revisits a pub and discovers it's hardly changed.

When the Austin family was looking for somewhere to eat on Joe's birthday the internet played a large part in the final decision.

I had quite wanted to see the menu for a hotel that has recently revamped its restaurants. However its website proved impossible to navigate and I just couldn't find a menu on the site.

Even a call to the hotel didn't help much. In complete contrast the website for a nearby pub, The Poachers Pocket, at Gledrid near Oswestry, brought instant results.

An easy-to-find menu, special offers flagged up and even an incentive of a free drink on your first visit. But it was one of the starters that clinched it – a whole baked camembert to share.

The Poachers Pocket – at the start of the Llangollen canal world heritage site – doesn't take reservations but we were assured that there would be a table midweek.

The last time the family had enjoyed a meal at the Poachers Pocket, Sophie and Joe had had a kid's meal and had enjoyed playing in an outdoor playground.

This time they brought along their respective girlfriend and boyfriend!

Although now part of the Marston chain, the pub had hardly changed in a decade, with its cosy little areas to sit in – a welcome change from the open plan pubs that seem the vogue today.

Our free drink vouchers handed in we found comfortable corner and surveyed the menu.

That had certainly changed and for the better.

It has always been known for value for money but my memory was of large baguettes and chips piled high to fill the plate.

It still sells pub grub but, as Sophie summed it up as: 'pub grub with a twist'. For as well as the usual grills, burgers and curries there were dishes with a difference.

We plumped for sharing starters, the Camembert (£5.25), a classic combo (£6.95)and a goat's cheese bruscetta (£3.60) For me, they were the star turn.

The Camembert and the accompanying onion chutney were delicious and we eagerly tucked in with fingers of ciabatta and with the garlic bread from the combo, which also included standard chicken wings, onion rings and breaded mushrooms. As for the delicious goat's cheese, that was a revelation for Joe whose tastebuds seem to have 'grown up' overnight.

We all chose very different for mains. For example, Sophie chose a 'special' gammon with a barbeque sauce and melted cheese on top, the twist she was talking about, while boyfriend Richard opted for a very traditional beef and horseradish hot pot (£7.75).

There was a classic burger for Joe (£5.50) and lasagne for girlfriend Sioned (£5.95) and mixed grill for Mel (£10.50) and pork escalope with apple and melted cheese and bourbon sauce (£6.95) for me.

I was probably the only one slightly disappointed with mine, purely because I expected the sauce – tasty as it was – to be over my meat and not in a jug on the side. I came with a strange combination of sides, chips, corn on the cob and lovely cheesy leeks.

A reasonably priced and 'organic' bottle of rose for the women and beer for the men added to what was becoming an excellent evening with our extended family.

The staff at the Poachers couldn't be faulted. They were professional but so friendly, happy to take a group photograph, advise on food and have a laugh with us.

We were all stumped when it came to a desert but Sophie and I eventually shared a Cheesecake Club platter, (£3.50) three very different pieces of cheesecake.

We left full after some excellent, honest pub grub and still laughing over a joke.

ADDRESS

The Poachers Pocket, Gledrid, Chirk. LL14 5DG

Tel: 01691 773250

Web: www.poacherspocketpub.co.uk

MENU SAMPLE

STARTERS

Duck Spring Rolls, £3.75; Seasonal Soup, £2.75; Mini Haddock Kievs, £3.60

MAINS

Steak and Ale pie, £5.85; Cajun Veggie Burger, £5.50; Lamb Steak, £8.50; Chicken and Pink Peppercorn curry, £8.50

SIDES

Salad Bowl, £2.80; Sauteed Mushroom, £1.60; Bread and oils, £1.50

DESSERTS

Chocolate melt in the middle pudding £3.35; Lemon Bakewell tart, £3.20; Mango and Strawberry Sundae £3.95

ATMOSPHERE

Busy but cosy

SERVICE

Very friendly, instantly felt at home

DISABLED FACILITIES

Wheelchair users can access a section of the pub and the toilets via a side door