The Smoker, Plumley (From Northwich Guardian)

The Smoker, Plumley

3:48pm Wednesday 14th November 2007 in

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How it rated

Quality of service pleasant

Value for money good

Ambience warm cosy and historic

Speed of service good for most of the meal

Our plates were full and I knew I was going to struggle to fit in dessert as well. However, after enjoying the main course so much I thought I would just have to stretch myself.

Quality of food very good

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TO MANY, The Smoker might best be known as the pub at That Junction.' For years it was plagued by accidents on its doorstep as drivers failed to negotiate the A556 where it meets Plumley Moor Road.

Now, though, people who know me will hear it described as the place that does a cracking lamb henry.

From the moment you walk into the pub there is a distinct sense of history.

It is a 400-year-old thatched coach inn and its walls boast of a stay by Queen Elizabeth.

Over time there have been alterations, but its sense of past has not been forgotten.

A cheery chap greets you at the bar and you immediately feel at home.

I visited on a late Sunday afternoon and expected this kind of pub to be heaving with guests. To be fair, it was not although I imagined it would get busier after 5pm.

Outside, the fog was forming and the warm ambience of The Smoker made it the perfect place to shelter from a gloomy day.

The meal that followed was also a winter warmer.

My companion and I both chose to skip the starters, though. This might say something about a lack of variety on the menu or perhaps there was just nothing to suit our tastes.

However, there was plenty of main courses to choose from even though we both plumped for the lamb henry.

We did not have to wait long for the meal to arrive and it was a whopper.

Our plates were full and I knew I was going to struggle to fit in dessert as well. However, after enjoying the main course so much I thought I would just have to stretch myself.

The lamb was spot on and there was plenty of it. It was tasty and tender, although the chips were nothing special. Some really, golden homemade chips would have really made a huge difference here.

Despite the odd niggle there was very little wrong with the meal at all.

Throughout the service was pleasant although we had to wait a little too long for our plates to be cleared away, especially considering the lack of customers at the time.

Desserts looked good and tasted good too.

A custard sponge and my chocolate fudge cake went down well although both treats could have done with being a little warmer.

Overall, a meal at The Smoker is a pleasant experience and a lovely place to spend a cold winter's day - or night.

After all, if it was good enough for Queen Elizabeth then it is certainly good enough for me.