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Black Horse, Limbrick, Chorley
One of the sad things about food reviewing is that I can only eat once ... unlike most MPs who seem to be able to eat twice.
Thus, I can only give you an honest assessment of one starter, one main course and one pudding, while getting the nod on another selection from my companion in food, and in life.
She is, of course, your reviewer's apprentice, also known as my wife (who has chosen anonymity in these matters), all the while aware that most of the meals on offer must go un-reviewed.
On this occasion, however, the Black Horse at Limbrick, which just happens to be one of my locals, devised a means of sampling more or less all the dishes on offer in one go ... it was called the mixed grill (at 14.95 far and away the most expensive item on the menu).
It's the north face of the Eiger of meals, only to be taken on by real men, so obviously I ordered it, bringing a knowing smile from the exceptionally friendly and slightly hard-pressed bar and food waitress.
A 'medley', according to the menu, though 'juggernaut' might better capture the impressive mound of food heaved onto the table before me.
Rump steak, gammon steak, chicken fillet, two fried eggs, beer battered onion rings, two Bury black puddings, two hash browns, griddled tomatoes, mushrooms, hand cut chunky chips, French mustard and a futile nod towards healthy eating with broccoli and cauliflower.
I had to take a few deep breaths and a couple of press-ups before tucking in, and it was five minutes before I'd managed to clear the top layer away to discover a lamb chop and Cumberland sausage underneath.
With the experience gained from years of eating, I paced myself through all the obstacles and emerged triumphant, to report that all was as tasty as it should have been, bar the chicken, which had none.
While this onslaught was going on your apprentice, having been disappointed at the fish pie being off the menu, was failing to get the best out of a deep cheese and onion pie (5.95), with Lancashire cheese and caramelised onions. She felt these signature ingredient were tasty but had been turned into a kind of mousse, losing their individual feel, and on the whole was a touch too dry.
We had progressed to our main courses after experimenting with garlic mushrooms, one lot breaded the others not, and with salad and a choice of mayo.
Very tasty, although your apprentice having chosen the tastier breaded ones may have sparked the revenge mission which was about to begin.
Amazingly, the temptation of award-winning ice cream with chocolate sauce on top, plus a strategic and settling wait while downing another pint (it was walking distance home) of excellent Theakstons bitter, induced a flirtation with dessert (2.95). The award was justly given.
The Black Horse is a lovely pub and as people began to filter in, looks to be getting back some of its old character.
There were one or two things which set back the evening: it was a bit understaffed at that time of 7pm, our table top was a little sticky, the coffee machine was not working, and the bitter appeared to be the only hand pumped ale available.
Set against that the valiant waitress was exceptionally friendly, there was a varied and well-priced selection of food, and the house red would have cost, were we not on the beer, 8.95 a carafe.
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Weather for Chorley
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 12 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: East
