Burlton Inn, Burlton

plans to spend winter in this dining hot spot.

Sitting proudly off the road between Shrewsbury and Ellesmere, the Burlton Inn offers an inviting retreat for people looking for a quality place to rest their fork.

The first time we noticed the inn after a day trip to Ellesmere, my fiancée Alison and I made a promise to ourselves to give the place a try.

I had done some research on the internet before our midweek visit and I was expecting good things. The inn, which has a main building dating back to the 18th century, has fourAA rosettes and is amongst the best Shropshire country pubs listed in the Michelin guide.

But the proof, as they say, is in the pudding and I wanted to see whether the venue lived up to its billing.

We had booked by telephone and on arrival we were greeted by a friendly waitress who showed us promptly to our table.

You never get a second chance to make a first impression and l can say that the Burlton Inn has done well in creating a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere in which to enjoy food.

The restaurant has pictures on the walls and traditional wood beams, a warming snug with a fireplace, which would be perfect in the winter, an excellent period bar and dining area.

Scanning the menu I was pleased to see that there was an array of choices, with nibbles such as garlic focaccia bread or marinated Spanish olives available for those not wishing to plump for a starter ahead of the main course.

But I was in no mood for half-measures and I really liked the sound of the roast vine-ripened tomato and basil soup which was served with olive oil and crispy bread.

It was a great choice and arrived with a delicious layer of melted cheese on top of the soup. It tasted freshly prepared and was buzzing with flavour.

Alison chose to start with the smooth chicken liver pate, artisan bread and redcurrant jelly. The pate was tender and beautifully presented while the bread was fresh and the jelly a perfect accompaniment.

We had also chosen well on the wine front with a glass of beautiful Italian white each.

There was no rush between courses, which was a nice touch, and helped us to relax and take our time to enjoy the food being freshly cooked for us.

If the choice for the starters was good then the selection for the main courses was even better with a sensible mix of meat dishes, steaks, pasta and fish available to cover all tastes and preferences.

I decided to go for the special of lasagne which came with big chips, garlic bread and salad. It was a classic take on the traditional Italian favourite and came loaded with cheese, tomato and minced beef.

It was delicious, although very filling – so much so that I wasn't able to find any room for dessert.

Alison was happy with her choice of roasted Mediterranean sea bass with warm green salad, peas, parmentier potatoes and herb veloute.

She said it was fresh and well cooked. The sea bass was not overdone as can happen on some occasions.

After the main course I was feeling full to the brim. We agreed to look at the dessert menu but even the severely tempting Toblerone cheesecake was not enough for me to go ahead and order a pudding.

But I was pleased to be given the choice of ordering a coffee which can ensure your night does not end prematurely.

Alison, however, having chosen a lighter main course decided she would have a dessert and picked the fresh fruit salad with cream. There was a slight delay waiting for it to arrive but when it did it was well presented and delicious.

She said she would definitely choose it again, although the cream did make it a heavier dish.

The Burlton Inn is a great example of the growing number of gastro-pubs which have thrived in Shropshire over the past few years.

It is easy to see why it is a recipe for success with restaurant-quality food in the relaxed and comfy surroundings of a traditional inn.

The chef uses local produce and I wouldn't hesitate in recommending the Burlton Inn to others. With the welcoming fireplace inside it would also make a great place to visit for some hearty food during the colder months as well.

ADDRESS

Burlton Inn, Burlton, Shrewsbury SY4 5TB

Tel; (01939) 270284

Web: www.burltoninn.com

MENU SAMPLE

STARTERS

Vegetable spring rolls £4.95; Roast vine-ripened tomato soup £4.95

MAINS

The Burlton burger £9.50; Risotto £7.95

DESSERTS

Sticky toffee pudding £5.50; Toblerone cheesecake £5.95