The glorious summer we’re having has provided the perfect days to get out-and-about in the stunning scenery of the ‘Shire, and on this particular occasion we decided to head up to the picturesque village of Monyash. Located in the Peak District National Park, Monyash is popular with walkers, cyclists and bikers who, it seemed, were out in their hundreds! The Bulls Head occupies a prime position in the village, beside the green on the square, and this Grade II-listed building has kerb-appeal by the bucket-load. We parked up in one of the spots in the on-site car park, but there is also plenty more on the roads nearby.
As we walked into the bar, there were plenty of dogs sat quietly beside their humans: furries are welcome here and in the pool room (and in the beer garden outside), but not in the main restaurant itself. I love older venues because they tend to have lots of nooks and crannies that create a more intimate feel when dining, and The Bulls Head is one such place. The spot where we were seated had those beautiful, large flagstones on the floor, beamed ceilings, and deep, stone-set, latched windows.
All the walls were a plain white colour, allowing the striking animal paintings that were hung on them to take centre-stage: my personal favourite was of a Hare, and Mummy Bird adored the one of the Cows. I should just say that all the artworks were for sale, should you visit and want to bring one home with you.
Although we had gone along for a Sunday Roast, there is the usual menu available as well. The Man Bird and Mummy chose to have the Beef option (£19), but I fancied the Lamb (£20). When we’d first arrived, our server got drinks sorted for us and, when she brought them over from the bar, took the food order – nice time management. Whilst we waited for our roasts, I took in the surroundings a little more, and marvelled at the sheer number of references to Bulls that there were: on placemats, etched in the glass wall-dividers, on the aforementioned paintings, and even on wallpaper!
Soon enough, two members of the serving team were placing down fully-laden plates and bowls of vegetables on our table for us to tuck into…a task we heartily gave our attention to. Carnivores, rejoice! As I cut up Mummy’s meat, it gave me the chance to marvel at just how generous the portions are; let’s just say that you could easily be solely satiated with the meat. Incredibly tender and moist, the Beef was marvellously flavoursome in the mouth, as were my [equally] generous slices of Lamb. Chef had done a great job of the Yorkshire Puds, too; these beauties were sizeable and had that comfortingly rich batter taste to them. Glass-smooth mash and golden-outered, perfectly done Roast Potatoes were also on the plate with the meat and Yorkies, and the whole was surrounded by meat-juice pan gravy.
Our veg selection consisted of Broccoli florets, shredded White- and Red- Cabbage, and sliced-on-the-angle Carrots: all were cooked to retain a hint of bite and maximise their natural flavours. As with the meats, there was more than enough per person; actually, there was enough for seconds! Safe to say that they’re feeders at The Bulls Head in Monyash.
It took us all a while, but we did eventually manage to clear our plates – give-or-take the odd bit of meat-edge fat and scrap of Yorkie. Having done check-backs, our server knew that we were enjoying our meals but still smiled happily as she spied the lack of food left to take back to the kitchen. Empty plates speak volumes, don’t they?
At The Bulls Head, the desserts are all home-made, and the artisanal Ice Creams come from Daltons Dairy, so you know they’re going to be scrummy. Despite protesting that she was stuffed, Mummy Bird ‘manned up’ and accessed that special, magic space in her tummy; you know, the one we all have that seems to expand just at dessert time. I can never resist the lure of a homemade Trifle, and the Lemon and Mandarin one sounded beyond delicious…especially since it came with Honeycomb. His Nibs liked the sound of the White Forest Meringue Roulade, and Mummy Bird chose the Maltesers Blondie: both her and The Man opted for Ice Cream rather than Cream with their desserts. All the desserts are priced at £7.50.
It's not often that His Nibs is rendered speechless, but the size of his roulade had his jaw dropping: it was huge!! It was also the best blooming pud on the table, much as it pains me to admit it. The Meringue outer was lovely and crunchy to the bite at first, with that mesmerising gooey, chewiness coming up closely behind. Fluffily -whipped, fresh Cream was sweet and velvety, pairing superbly with the tart sharpness of the Black Cherries. A classic (with a twist), done exceptionally well. Mind you, my Trifle wasn’t shabby at all, and its delicate layers called to me like a hypnotising siren-song. Right at the bottom was that soft layer of sponge, then came a subtly Lemon-zhuzhed custard that was decorated with Mandarin segments, and finally that layer of super-stiff, whipped Cream. All that would’ve been needed to make it ‘Grandma worthy’ was some hundreds-and-thousands sprinkles.
Mummy Bird was absolutely smashing it, adjacent to me; to say she’d dilly-dallied about having a sweet treat, she was certainly not hanging about when it came to demolishing the Malteser Blondie! I can’t say as I blame her, though, the generous square was that perfect combo of thin crust outer and sumptuously soft inner. The rich, rounded tones of Vanilla and the maltiness of the Maltesers were a match made in heaven, they really were and, unlike a chocolate/cocoa pairing with Maltesers, weren’t too heavy on the palate or tummy.
To say this was a last-minute decision, our visit to The Bulls Head in Monyash turned out to be one of those brilliantly fab meals. Hot Wings certainly given here; we will certainly be returning. To book a table call 01629812372 – they do not take online bookings. The Bulls Head is closed on Monday, both at the bar and for food; food is served Tues-Fri 11.30am-2pm and then 5pm-8.30pm, and all-day Saturday and Sunday. Bar times are slightly different to the kitchen: Tues & Weds 11.30am-2.30pm and then 5pm-11pm, Thurs 11.30am-2.30pm and then 5pm-10.30pm, Fri 11.30am-11.30pm, Saturday and Sunday 11.30am -Midnight.
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