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WICK
The Star Inn
Dinner
We knew we were in for an enjoyable evening when we booked a meal at The Star Inn in Wick.
As regulars to Tempus Fugit in Southerndown, we were always made very welcome by owner Lisa Linton and my husband enjoys a happy banter with her partner Sion Fletcher on all matters relating to boxing. Mind you, Lisa often joins in as she’s partial to a good work out herself! And we haven’t even got on to the food, which is always superb. They boast the best pizzas in the world, and I have to say I agree!
We met with a couple of friends at The Star Inn and were very impressed with the look of the newly decorated pub. The bar area, cosy sofas, subtle lighting and real fire crackling in the background all added to the ambience of the place.
We sampled the menus while Lisa brought us our drinks and we could see that a lot of thought had gone into them. We are well aware of Lisa and Shaun’s ethos of using only the freshest and highest quality locally sourced produce and everything is cooked from scratch.
We each chose a different starter so that we could have a try of each (luckily we know our friends well enough to do this!) The homemade tomato and basil soup with crusty roll was a winner. Rich and creamy and bursting with flavour. The roast wood pigeon with braised red cabbage and smoked bacon with a roast gravy was sublime. The combined tastes of the ingredients worked very well together. I chose the lightly pan friend Chorizo sausage, tiger prawns and potato served with fresh organic salad leaves. This dish was deliciously light and full of flavour. As we were making appreciative murmurings about our starters, Lisa whisked our plates away and topped up our glasses. Unfortunately I was driving but I was allowed to try the wine especially chosen for us by our host. This was a Parcela No 7 a Chilean blend. Our mains followed not long after. Again we all tried something different. Our friends chose the baked filet of cod with slow roasted vine ripened tomatoes and a light chilli and herb dressing and Welsh rib-eye steak, pan friend to his liking with dauphinnoise potatoes, tomato confit, mushroom duxelle and a rich red wine reduction. The cod was moist and juicy and the tomatoes and dressing added that special little kick which complimented the fish perfectly. The steak was cooked as ordered with the desired amount of pinkness and the little trickle of blood that should come with a rare to medium cooked piece of meat. I opted for the pan fried breast of free range chicken with a fresh wild mushroom and Madeira sauce. I don’t normally choose chicken as I find it can be a bit chewy and tasteless. Not so here and not a scrap was left on my plate.
Again we left our choice of wine to Lisa and she enthused over a Macon as rightly she should. It was a perfect choice and our friends noted it down on a piece of paper for a future shopping trip. The steak eater of the group had a Rioja which complemented his dish perfectly.
Two scrummy home made bread and butter puddings served with fresh clotted cream, two homemade crème brulee’s and piping hot, good quality coffees later, we sat back and all agreed that another visit to The Star in Wick was called for very soon.
Lisa and Shaun have got a very temping midweek dining offer on until February 2008. Customers spending £7.95 per person on food mid week at Tempus Fugit or The Star Inn in wick will receive a free 175ml glass of house wine each (or one bottle for four or more people).
If you haven’t already got a voucher, call in to The Star or Tempus Fugit to pick up yours - while stocks last!
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