ROSE & CROWN: thriving up in the hills

Rose and Crown

It's over a year since publican Steve Kerr packed his bags from the popular King's Arms at Grains Bar.

A few months R&R were followed by a couple of short-term projects before the jovial host spotted the Rose and Crown at Slaithwaite was on the market.

That was last summer and now that he has got the place running more to his liking, he is looking forward to a busy new season ahead.

It's a delightful drive out, either through Delph and Marsden and climb out of Slaithwaite - and boy do you climb - or out beyond the Denshaw reservoirs and past Nont Sarah's where a right turn takes you cross-country before you literally stumble on the car park that gives you magnificent views of the village below.

Once you breathe in the rarefied fresh air at this altitude and survey the scene in front of you, it is instantly apparent why the former Chaddy Grammar School lad isn't missing Oldham one bit.

Inside the pub, it's a noisy hubbub of the aforementioned accents but they are happy to converse with the 'foreigner' who has brought a sense of pub fun and good honest food to their midst.

The bar area is to the left of the entrance with a restaurant to the right and stairs to an 80-seat function room above.

Through the welcoming bar is a more modern bistro dining area. And it's busy. Bookings are taken in the two restaurants but it's walk in and takes your chance in the bar which is just as the host wants it.

''Hey, if it's busy and you have a bit of a wait, chill and have another drink.''

The main menu is fairly standard pub fare but where this businessman has always scored is with an ever-changing and ever tempting specials board.

We were hardly in diet mode - but it was a Bank Holiday weekend - in ordering a combo for two (£7.80) which consisted of barbecue and garlic dips into which we dunked onion rings, deep friend mushrooms, very meaty barbecue chicken wings and large breaded<$> prawns. All finger-licking good.

We stayed with the specials for our main courses. Mrs W had spotted loin of cod which was truly splendid as it came served on a bed of mmmmm-inducing cheese and onion mash, vegetables and drizzled with pesto (£12.75).

Well my choice was going to have to go some to beat that and I came pretty close with a loin of venison stuffed with Stilton, served in a redcurrant jus with roasted potatoes and vegetables (£13.95).

We called a respite - we even sneaked a look at the multi-level function room upstairs in the break which will obviously be a hive of activity for postered events such as a St George's Day fancy dress feast and a Yorkshire night (well I wouldn't have thought a Lancashire night would have the same impact in these parts). 

Back to our seats and when the sweet menu came packed with what-mother-would-make goodies we plumped for Bakewell tart and jam roly poly - both with lashings of custard and both just large enough portions to leave us full without bursting, just!

It all came in with a few drinks to under £60. We will certainly make it one of our stop-offs on a midweek drive out when the lighter nights return soon.

If you call, tell Steve you're from Oldham. He'll be delighted to reminisce, just don't be too jealous of the view he has on a summer's morning sat on the terrace having his breakfast -''Tthere's nowt like it''.

Steve a Yorkie - who'd a thowt it!

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