Green Dragon, Little Stretton

Rating: **** It had been years since I last ventured into the Green Dragon at Little Stretton, nestling under the Long Mynd to the south of Church Stretton writes Sharon Walters.

Since then the pub has changed hands a number of times and it is fair to say it had experienced some pretty low periods, according to friends who live in the village.

Fairly recently, new hands took it on and have given it a major facelift and a new lease of life.

"You really must go there and have a meal", urged friend Phil who has become a regular.

"The people who run it are smashing and the food is such good value."

Now that comes from a man from farming stock, so it's high praise indeed!

So off we went last Saturday.

Outside it's all been painted and tidied up and a lovely play area set up for the children.

Inside the decorator has been hard at work as well.

There's a lovely bar with a welcoming wood burning stove and a restaurant area and you can eat where you like from the specials board and regular menu.

Well, the bar was packed with every table taken and most people were eating – a very good sign.

In the restaurant there was a large family group and two other tables were occupied – another very good indicator at lunchtime.

So we took a couple of drinks and menus to a table in the cosy restaurant and settled ourselves in.

I checked out several of the plates on the surrounding tables and heard a number of very positive comments about the food.

Himself went straight in on the regular menu and immediately chose a pub standard from the 70s – scampi, chips and garden peas (£7.95).

Now I'm not being rude about scampi and chips but it did disappear from the majority of menus as our tastes became more 'sophisticated'. And more was the pity as it can be a tasty bar meal and even tarted up into something more exotic.

Neil's plate had a healthy helping of lightly fried scampi, bright green peas and a nice side salad. Alongside was a bowl of homemade chips. Let's put it this way, not a lot was left – he even ate the salad, not bad for someone I have to disguise his five a day to get him to eat!

There is a homemade pie of the day and last Saturday it was steak and kidney (£9.25). While that seems easy, making a good one is far from it.

At the top end the steak has to be melt-in-the-mouth, the kidney needs to be properly de-cored and in decent size chunks and the gravy rich and flavoursome. And the pastry should be suet. My pie was all of those and my only criticism was in the presentation. A little more care laying it on the plate with the pastry carefully set on top would have made the pie five star.

As it was it still tasted delicious. There was also a dish of hot and crisp vegetables which I thoroughly enjoyed.

Neil did manage some of the pie that I just could not squeeze in, as lovely as it was.

Puddings are all priced at £4.50 and I had to see what they were like after such a great pie I had hazelnut meringue roulade with raspberries and raspberry coulis. Nicely presented, it was a huge portion for the price and I did ask the waitress how long they were open to give me time to eat it all. It was light and perfect but I just couldn't manage it all.

Syrup sponge was the other choice with custard. A proper traditional pud which WAS finished.

We enjoyed a great pub meal, in pleasant surroundings with good service. Add to that the size of the bill, just over £40, and you just can't beat it.

ADDRESS

Green Dragon, Little Stretton, Shropshire, SY6 6RE

Tel: 01694 722925

MENU SAMPLE

STARTERS

Homemade soup of the day and crusty bread £4.25

Shropshire Blue mushrooms served on warm ciabatta bread with watercress and balsamic dressing £4.75

MAINS

Paddy Ryan's faggots served with chips and peas £6.95

Chef's home-produced Tamworth pork sausages with caramelised red onion gravy, wholegrain mustard mash and peas £8.95

Homemade quiche served with chips and vegetables £7.95

DESSERTS

Tiramisu £4.50

Croissant butter pudding £4.50

SERVICE

Friendly and efficient

ATMOSPHERE

Warm and cosy on a horrid day!

DISABLED FACILITIES

No disabled facilities