Boars Head Long Preston (from Craven Herald)

Having been confined to my bed or chair for 20 weeks following orthopaedic surgery, with only a periodic hospital visit by ambulance to relieve the monotony, I was really looking forward to a short trip out for lunch at the Boars Head, Long Preston, that has just been taken over by two local brothers, one of whom is a trained professional chef.

Accompanied by my husband and daughter, who was staying with us to give my husband a break (very much welcomed by him) from such unaccustomed activities as cleaning, ironing, cooking etc, and with zimmer frame in the boot, we set forth.

Fortunately, the access to the Boars Head is quite easy for the disabled and, as the pub was quiet on this Friday lunchtime, we were able to settle at a table in the newly-carpeted, warm, comfortable and characterful bar.

The more formal dining area, newly decorated, was not open, but was separated from the bar area by folding doors and this created a more intimate ambience.

Two menus were offered to us, a senior citizens' with two courses for £6.95, taken from the main menu but presumably smaller portions, and the standard one with a wide range of dishes, including salads and sandwiches.

Starters averaged £4.50 and our choices were melon with fruit and a delicious mango coulis for £3.95, homemade mushroom soup and roll (£3.60) and a smoked duck breast on red onion marmalade (£5.95). The presentation was superb and all tasted as good as they looked.

My daughter's main course was a ploughmans with Stilton, mature cheddar and ham accompanied by a magnificent salad and warm French stick and butter. This was a huge plateful that she thoroughly enjoyed at an unbelievable price of only £6.95.

Other mains ranged from shepherd's pie at £8.75 to a mixed grill and steaks at around £17. Two vegetarian dishes sounded delicious, but my husband and I settled for pork fillet escallops with calvados and apple jus at £11.25 and poached salmon with balsamic vinegar and a lemon hollandaise sauce (£10.95), accompanied by a huge dish of good chips (new potatoes were available) and, sadly, some disappointing vegetables: apart from these we were more than satisfied.

Sweets were all a reasonable £3.95, including cheese and biscuits, and our choices of black cherry cheesecake with mango coulis, a honey and whisky creme brulee and a sticky toffee pudding, all homemade, were first class.

We decided to round off with coffee. Big mistake! All three of us declared it was the worst we had ever tasted: frothy milk with a hint of something that could possibly have been coffee, but could equally have been something else. Commenting on this to the young waiter, we were told alternative machines were being looked at as it was appreciated it was not up to par. Until they decide on one, a jar of instant and a kettle would be a vast improvement!

As the brothers only took over in January, it is early days and if the vegetables and coffee are sorted out the Boars Head could well build an enviable reputation.

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