3 Millstones Inn, West Bradford (From Craven Herald)

3 Millstones Inn, West Bradford

9:55am Friday 29th February 2008 in

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Always on the lookout for a new venue to review, we had one recommended - the 3 Millstones Inn at West Bradford, just over the border in that other county tucked in the Ribble Valley, close to Chatburn.

It being a new venture, we did pre-book and on arrival we could see this is essential as all the tables were full: a good sign. We were warmly greeted and shown to our table, all of which are placed around a central bar, and we were given a large, easy-to-read menu. This made a nice change from having to struggle reading numerous blackboards.

Drinks were brought while we studied the pretty extensive menu and, in true form, we each selected a different option. Our friends decided on Bury black pudding with mustard sauce and large sea prawn and avocado dressed cocktail - beautifully presented and tasty. A third choice was poached egg on a toasted muffin with cheddar sauce and crispy bacon (very good) and for me, the Lancaster smoked salmon which was excellent. The prices ranged from £4.75 to £6.75.

After much deliberation, we eventually selected four different main courses. Our friends chose a pancake filled with a three-fish selection in a cheddar sauce and a roasted lamb hotpot (quite appropriate for Lancashire) served with a red cabbage relish. Irene selected oven baked pork chop with raisins, cider, apricots and diced potatoes - cooked perfectly, although the sauce proved a little too rich for her taste. My favourite was there so it was an easy decision: duckling.

All were perfectly presented, together with a dish of hand cut chips and new potatoes (and while we couldn't decide just how or with what they were cooked, they were very tasty). The vegetables were unusual, being a mixture of diced parsnips, celeriac and white beetroot.

The main dishes ranged from £9 to £16.

It was a good job the table is yours for the evening, which meant we were able to relax with no pressure put on us while we let the first two courses settle, as we felt we must try the desserts.

The selection was not as extensive as the previous two courses, being only a choice of six, of which one was unavailable.

We selected a baked vanilla cheesecake with ice-cream which proved (for our taste) a little too heavy, an ice-cream meringue with lemon sauce which really tickled the taste buds and lemon posset - very nice and light to finish a lovely meal. All desserts were priced at £4.50.

We concluded the meal with coffee, tea and mints and, as usual, were the last to leave having had a lovely evening.

It was one to remember, having enjoyed the company, atmosphere and hospitality. I doubt our first visit will be the last.

John Hall