THE FOX: Modern and a big hit

Date published: 15 January 2010


January 2010

The Fox Bar and Bistro

46-50 Oldham Road,

Ripponden.

HX6 4DP

Tel: 01422 825880 THE second we walked through the doors, having been lucky to find a parking spot right outside, we just knew we were in for a good night. It was 5.30pm, Sunday and the place was buzzing.

Welcome to The Fox, a brightly lit, light-wood abounds bistro that sends out such a friendly message you cant help but be taken along for the ride.

Theres a large bar straight in front, tables to the side-left. To the right, through an archway are more tables, all full. Theres no music but theres chatter aplenty.

Staff are busy and work as a collective, any one of which on hand to help. We got drinks but there were no menus on the table.

Then we realised all the dishes were on a giant blackboard on the back wall. We later discovered there was a bar snacks menu in the other side on another board. I think the lady sat underneath must have developed a complex as I struggled to read the bottom two, waiting for her to bob her head to eat to catch the description.

Mrs W is on a roll. She seems to have discovered the knack of picking something on a menu that is truly outstanding. In this case it was simply soup of the day (3.95) but the butternut quash soup was simply divine.

Smooth, full of taste and served with a fresh crusty bread. I was less decisive and was toying with a seabass starter until I decided to go fish for main course and switched at the very last moment for a spicy beef sirloin salad (4.95).

I was not disappointed as the plentiful strips of beef had a Thai-like twist. In fact we both went for fish as a main course.

Mrs W opted for salmon topped with a home-made pesto (10.95) and I would certainly like to have shaken the hand of the man who landed that one as the fillet was gigantic.

Mine was swordfish with salsa (11.95) and though the dressing was more mango-like than the kick I was expecting it was nevertheless a perfect accompaniment to the meaty good-sized steak.

You could either have chips and salad or potatoes and vegetables so we ordered one of each and benefited from being able to dip into both. The chips were particularly good, chunky, well cooked and not greasy at all. And the vegetables included carrots, green beans and mange tout.

Even with some help from me, Mrs W wasnt able to manage all the salmon and we were relieved when staff agreed to give us ten minutes before even contemplating a dessert.

A Malteser-topped chocolate torte and plum pancake with cream (both 3.95) and a couple of coffees completed a quite splendid meal.

You might wonder why we had chosen early Sunday for the drive over the hill.

Well, intriguingly, owner John Lumb only serves food in the bistro Sunday to Thursday and enjoys the craic with his customers as a wine bar Fridays and Saturdays.

How many could consider giving up their Friday and Saturday?

Not many I would venture to suggest. But when you serve up such great food as this, I suppose people will be there whatever day of the week you tell them! With drinks a bill of £60. Very impressed. Get over there snow willing!