THE Golden Lion in Rossett has built up quite a reputation for its food.
And, having heard excellent feedback from friends who had visited, I was very keen to try the place.
So when the opportunity arose to stop off there for lunch one Sunday afternoon, I was expecting a memorable meal.
First of all the pub has a fine selection of real ales, which, for me, is always a great starting point.
Secondly, the menu is extensive but not too overwhelming, with an excellent selection of meat, fish and vegetarian dishes.
Having been shown to a table we perused the options for some time.
Eventually I decided on a very traditional British Sunday lunch – classic prawn cocktail, followed by roast beef and Yorkshire pudding.
My girlfriend meanwhile went for seared scallops with chorizo to start and a braised lamb shank for main.
The starters arrived promptly and more than met our expectations.
My classic pub starter was a real winner – a mountain of juicy prawns, adequately dressed with a tangy marie rose sauce, served on a bed of lettuce and accompanied by generous wedges of brown bread and butter – delicious.
The scallops were lightly seared and served with chorizo and a fluffy cauliflower puree.
No sooner had we laid down our cutlery than our empty plates were cleared and, a few minutes later the mains arrived.
The beef was tender and served with an array of vegetables and potatoes and of course, the Yorkshire pud and gravy.
The lamb, sublimely succulent, was served with creamed potatoes, minted gravy and honey glazed carrots.
Both meals were full of flavour, generously portioned and extremely satisfying.
Feeling very content, we decided to leave pudding until later on in the day, and retired to the peaceful gardens to finish our drinks in the sunshine.
I’d come with high expectations and I wasn’t disappointed. Our visit to the Golden Lion had proved to be the perfect recipe for a lazy Sunday afternoon.
The Golden Lion, Chester Road, Rossett.
Tel: 01244 571020