Usually we’re a pretty organised flock when it comes to food but, for whatever reason, Sunday Lunch and its associated preparation had completely slipped all of our minds! Always calm in a crisis, His Nibs got on the blower and sorted out a table for us all at The Three Horseshoes in Clay Cross, sister venue to the town’s ‘The George’ Gastropub. We’ve been to the ‘shoes on numerous occasions so were fairly confident that our beloved Sunday Roast would be up to scratch.
There’s a good sized car park literally across the road from The Three Horseshoes, so we parked the jalopy up and headed over. To say we’d booked for a slot late in the afternoon there were still plenty of diners in, happily munching away at their lunches – always a good sign when a place is popular for the meal you’re going for.
Our lovely server got drinks sorted pronto for us and, after giving us a while to decide on our food, came back to take the order; His Nibs and I both went for the mixed meat/large roast at £11.95 per person, Fledge had the standard option (£10.95) and Mummy Bird had the small roast, priced at £9.95. Both the small and standard roasts have one meat, only the large/mixed meat lets you pick two different types from the selection: Turkey, Pork and Beef Topside.
We weren’t waiting overly long for our food and when they came, our faces lit up with expectation as we clapped eyes on the laden plates. Mummy and Fledge had both gone for Turkey and the slices were lovely and thick, and large in size; mind you, the Beef that The Man and I had got on our plates was just the same. The Sunday Lunches all come with Roast- and Mashed Potatoes, Stuffing Ball, Homemade Yorkshire Pud and a bit of Gravy already on the plate; a huge boat of extra meat-juice Gravy, Leeks in Ham and Cheese Sauce and Mixed Vegetables all come separately.
To make room on the plates for all the additional elements, the ‘Shoes team lay some of the meat slices over the large quenelle of glass-smooth Mash and snuggle the Roasties up to the Yorkie and ball of rich tasting Stuffing. We all commented on how wonderful the meats were as we tucked into their tender, moist fibres and I loved the roasties – they were spot on! Sky scraper Yorkies were gorgeously golden and had a beautiful taste to them, just like ones your mum would make.
There’s absolutely no excuse for soggy veg in this day and age, and you certainly couldn’t pick fault with the Carrots, Broccoli or Peas at The Three Horseshoes; they were hot, plentiful and perfectly done! The Leeks in Ham and Cheese sauce are so good, they stick in your memory; as soon as I took that first mouthful I smiled, revelling in the pleasure of the silky smooth sauce and its rich flavour. Yep, these were every bit as good as I remembered, and everyone agreed as they scooped forkful after forkful into their greedy mouths.
We’d eschewed starters, thinking that we’d go for pudding instead but, when we came to that point of the meal, none of us could manage a second course! Needless to say, then, that the team at Clay Cross’ Three Horseshoes pub are total feeders – and you get the quality as well as the quantity. Hot Wings happily given again to this brilliant local pub and eaterie! To book your table (and I would strongly advise this) give the team a buzz on 01246 861789.
