The Boat Inn – Simply Dee-licious #Blog
Stephen Wundke
18th March 2020
We created Taste Cheshire so that anyone who was visiting Cheshire could experience great food and drink in places they may not find without our help. The kind of place the locals know, like Chefs Table in Music Hall Passage and The Pheasant at Burwardsley. Well, whilst we who live in Cheshire may have heard of The Boat Inn at Erbistock, there are lots of visitors and a few younger diners who won’t know that many years ago this was the place to go on a sunny day and experience something magical. Yes, I know, it’s not in Cheshire, it’s in North Wales but it’s actually closer to Chester than Macclesfield or Altrincham and it is so easy to get to that we were very happy to take a trip down memory lane, for olds time sake and check out the newly refurbed Boat Inn.
For anyone who hasn’t been before its an easy journey down the A483, the last mile is on a winding lane, when you pass the church (yes they do weddings) at the entrance to the Boat you are met by a fabulous view of the River Dee wandering by the sides of a large grassed area and a stone built pub that dates back to the 1600’s – I kid you not. It is said that Cromwell hid his troops here on the banks during the Civil War and the pub features both an original windlass where the ferry once operated and an inglenook fireplace that dates back to 17th century. The drive in takes you past the lawns that line the banks of the Dee and the numerous outdoor areas, that on sunny days provide simply the best sea level location to have a quiet drink and something to eat that I have ever found. It is, as a setting, perfection.
So that’s the outside – take that as a given, its superb, the next thing I noticed is that there has been a second big refurb and it’s a really lovely job. It’s sympathetic to the original area and the newer parts are blended exceptionally well. So far on our visit nothing but praise. We were met, as we checked in by Restaurant Manager, Alex and shown to our table. It was obvious that she is incredibly proud of the Restaurant she has charge over and we took our place at a table for two in one of the dining areas that featured a real fire, there are three in total and they always add such a fabulous glow. Wine arrived shortly there-after and we set about making our menu choices.
It’s a good menu, not huge, which gave us confidence that everything would be fresh, maybe a little light in the vegetarian choices but neither of us are, so we easily found things to order that were both interesting and well written.
I chose Crispy Pigs head fritter, with a smoked tomato salsa and a pineapple and chilli jam. Presentation was wonderful, real pub portion, the cooking was even better. Crisp on the outside, and full of rich, slow cooked pigs cheek. The sharp tomato salsa was perfect and then I got the sweetness of the pineapple with the zing of the chilli. One of the best starters I have had in a pub/restaurant. Gaile chose the Chicken Liver and brandy pate’. Bit of a classic I know but the girl likes pate’. Lovely and smooth and with the red onion marmalade a perfect combination and bravo – plenty of toast. Slightly too salty but only a little and that’s a question of taste. This was excellent cooking, beautiful presentation. It thrilled us both and meant we couldn’t wait for mains.
They duly arrived at precisely the right time. Not too soon after starters and just at that point where you start looking to see if it’s your turn to be served – it was and we were. Gaile loves Belly Pork so the choice of that served with Black Pudding puree, hassleback Parmesan potatoes and Scotch egg with apple puree had her name written all over it. Her only comment initially was – this is superb. A little later I heard – now that’s clever cooking. As she broke in to the scotch egg the middle was the liquid apple puree. It made the whole dish sing. Again, great cooking. My main was Haddock and Clam Chowder with Mussel Fritters and greens. Technically it wasn’t really a chowder – that does it an injustice. This was perfectly cooked haddock, flaking as your knife touched it in a thick, seafood flavoured sauce with peas, chives, spring onions and peppers. Again, I haven’t tasted a better main in a pub for a very long time. It didn’t need the greens, as nice as they were, covered in olive oil and pepper but heh, I ate them and enjoyed every mouthful.
Main courses complete we were tempted by a very fine Dessert menu but we had to settle for sharing one between two as we were very close to being full. There are not many foods that eminate from the Germanic area of Europe that are any good but one they definitely got right is their Black Forest Gateaux. The Boat do their version which is, Black Forest nod- chocolate cake, chocolate mousse, kirsch, black cherries & chocolate shavings. Now what’s not to like there. It all just works doesn’t it. Rich, indulgent, fresh and sharp with the fruit to combat the rich chocolate, a proven flavour combination. We even managed to finish what was again a generous serve.
It’s so rare to have plates served, where everything that it says on the menu is served in the dish and even rarer that everything is cooked as it should be. This was that rarity. A special place The Boat has always been and once again the food and service matches the uniqueness of the setting. Well done to everyone involved, this is an accomplished business. The prices are spot on and you feel, well, special when you visit.
If you think that you might soon be unable to go out for dinner then go out now and at least have one exceptional dining experience before you isolate because that what the Boat Inn is – exceptional. It is a pleasure to be able to signpost people to something that I know they will go away and tell their friends – you must go here.