Review: Royal Oak, Blackburn

1:05pm Monday 19th May 2008

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TRADITIONAl, good, old style cooking with options from further afield for the more cosmopolitan palate?

Get to the Royal Oak on Royal Oak Avenue, Pleckgate, Blackburn.

The Cotton Town website tells us the buildings go back to 1764. My memories only go back to the mid 1970s when there were still two or was it three little rooms. Now all-in-one, you'll get a warm welcome from Tim and Mark.

There is ample parking, deals at certain times and nearly always a guest real beer.

There are a range of deals with the food being cheaper earlier in the week. There's also a special free for under 10s menu when eating alongside an adult.

My wife had chilli con carne with rice and she enjoyed its rich full flavour.

On another visit she'd thoroughly enjoyed the pea and ham home made soup. A meal in itself.

My fish, chips and mushy peas was spot on. The fish was freshly fried, hot and crisp, the mushy peas brilliant and I didn't have to ask for tartare sauce. All this for £7.95.

The "specials" board had a fine range of options including homemade soup, Thai fish cakes, various roasts, potted Morecambe Bay shrimps, smoked salmon, Bowland sirloin, sausage and lamb chops amongst others.

Our "neighbours" seemed to be enjoying the meat dishes and the range and quantity of the separately served potatoes and other veg.

There's an excellent range of salads too.

The dessert board had a great range to offer including spotted dick, sticky toffee pudd and the intriguing sounding hanky panky pie.

Sadly we were too full to indulge.

There's a decent range of beers and wines on offer and the atmosphere was friendly and quiet and the service excellent.

If there is a criticism, the more picky amongt us mentioned the lighting needed some attention.

But why travel further when you can appreciate such good quality and value?

The verdict

Enjoy a warm welcome in relaxed surroundings.