THE FOX AND HOUNDS - School Lane, Denmead

After a cloudy morning, the sun was kind enough to come out and shine for our trip to Denmead. It wasn't that long ago that The Fox and Hounds was closed for business. After a rousing effort by the local patronage, the money was raised to reopen and rise like a pub shaped phoenix.  The pub is now unrecognisable from its previous incarnation, blending a clean contemporary look with that of a rustic country pub, the well lit and airy space being a far throw from the dark and dingy pub of old.

We took a table in the restaurant area, affording us a good view of the specials board, most of which were priced around £10. A starter will set you back by £4, while deserts come in at £4 - £6, prices that we would consider fair. Dad picked the beef goulash pie with creamy mash, I went for corn fed chicken with sautéed potatoes and tarragon sauce. We were quite impressed with the menu as a whole. Whilst it had the pub classics you'd expect, there was a wide range of more imaginative options, several of which being vegetarian.

When the food arrived, we were particularly impressed by the look of Dad's pie. We asked if it was made in the pub and indeed it was. Everything here is fresh and made in house, even the chips and tartar sauce. My chicken was beautifully cooked, as were the potatoes and vegetables, I particularly enjoyed the sauce, being rather partial to a bit of tarragon. Dad's pie lived up to its handsome appearance, although the mash wasn't quite as creamy as advertised.

We thoroughly enjoyed our lunch at The Fox and Hounds, and think the prices to be pretty good considering the freshness and quality of the food. It was also refreshing to see a menu with creative flair and an eye for something a bit different. The pub is also finished very well, I especially like the bar, don't ask me why, it just seems right and proper. If you are interested in good food, freshly prepared in a light and welcoming pub, you should give it a go.

Atmosphere          7.5

Service                 8

Food                    8.5

Value                   8

Verdict                 4*

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