Wednesday, 1 August 2007

The Red Lion, Brayfield-on-the-Green, Northamptonshire


If you are in need of some really good quality food and the middle of the country, you can't go too far wrong with this excellent gastro pub near Northampton.


After a long, hard week in the office, Browny and I headed to Stevington for a lovely weekend and to help out at Kathy's garden opening. As a celebration and good excuse not to cook, we decided to go to this local haunt at Brayfield-on-the-Green. Conveniently located, The Red Lion offers a country pub with a large garden, delicious food, all in a relaxed but a highly professional environment. The service was slick, knowledgeable and discreet.


The head chef produced some excellent dishes; Starters - a sumptuous smoked and poached salmon with fennel terrine, crispy crab fish cakes, smooth asparagus moose and tangy tiger chili prawns - All beautifully presented, flavoursome and moreish. Of these, the terrine deserves extra praise.. it really was fresh, light and first class.


Mains included a roast lobster with mango salsa, rack of lamb with roasted veggies, sirloin steak with all the trimmings, poached cod with creamy mash and simple fillet of salmon. Again, it was hard to fault the presentation and taste of the dishes, but only a chef of true talent can cook juicy, succulent fish of the this quality.


Despite feeling of the verge of explosion, it was hard to resist the puds. I was somewhat disappointed but my treacle and raspberry tart.. far too much pastry and not enough goo. However, the greedy ones who chose banoffee cheesecake and chocolate fondant certainly hard a smile on their faces!


It was an excellent find that has to be highly recommended. If your in need of something a bit special while trundling up the M1, this could be just the place!


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