TURKS HEAD: New role for pub

Turks Head

December 2009

Turks Head

119 Castleton Road,

Royton

Tel: 0161-624 9895

YOU read doom-and-gloom statistics about how many pubs a day nationwide are closing down. In these changing times, the local boozer is having to adapt or die Enter the dining pub.

No longer the pub that does a bit of grub. These are serious in the eating game. And as a prime example, the Turks Head is damned good at what it does too. This is no all-day pub. It doesnt even open on a Saturday until 6 though people sat in their cars waiting for the unrattling of the bolts told a story.

We hadnt booked - though the reserved signs all around the tables in both the conservatory and the traditional heart of the pub told us we probably should have done.

Thankfully, there were still a couple of spare tables and mine host Neil Butterworth led us past the bar to our table. We were somewhat disappointed not to be in the aforementioned conservatory as this looked splendid but later in the evening we were just glad to be eating as both rooms were full to capacity.

The staff are efficiently busy, you order at a separate till away from the bar and while there is nothing unusual on the menu it is obviously a hit with the locals. We saw one of the car sitters a couple in their later years in and out inside an hour with a garlic bread starter, a main and a glass of wine each. All done and back in front of Saturday night TV. And not a pot to wash in sight. I had hot smoked peppered mackerel with salad and bread (£3.50) and Mrs W a smooth home-made chicken liver pate with toast (£3.70). I went for lamb casserole and dumpling (£6.50) singular, large and just stodgy enough as to hit the spot while Mrs W fancied a plain steak (8oz sirloin £9.80) and asked for a pepper sauce on the side rather than over the steak. Not a problem. Both were a hit though I might have changed my mind had a seen the half-shoulder of lamb later served at the table next to us before I had ordered.Wow!

Both of us opted for chips and vegetables though we could have had new potatoes. There was very little left.

We waited a while and found room for a dessert. Mrs W was always going for banana split must have thought she was on her holidays. I had treacle sponge and custard.

We later heard a party of six querying their bill with the waitress - they thought they had been UNDERCHARGED! Long live the diner pub and all who ring the tills.