The Fishpool – Is this Cheshire’s best? #Review
Gaile Wundke
11th August 2016
We first reviewed The Fishpool in May 2013 and it was quite simply excellent, so when Taste Cheshire were once again asked to write a review we were more than delighted to accept!
Our reservation was made for 6.45pm and as we had found on previous visits (and we have been back since 2013!) the car park was already very busy which reflected the amount of people dining. We were immediately greeted and shown to our table which was in the ‘conservatory’ part of the restaurant, overlooking the beautifully kept grounds, which on this particular occasion were lucky enough to be basking in some early evening sunshine!
We were presented with both the main menu and a choice of specials and our drinks order was taken and swiftly delivered. The choice at The Fishpool is huge, from Flatbreads & Nibbles, through to Salads, Sandwiches (served until 6.00pm), Starters, Mains, Grill choices, Pizzas and a selection of Sides. All in all, there are about 80 different options to choose from plus 9 side dishes and 6 different steak sauces and this is before you look at the specials menu!! There really is something for everyone. Of course, the only problem you are faced with, is how to make a selection when there are so many delicious possibilities! It wasn’t an easy job, but after some deliberation we chose our starters, Crispy fried brie amandine with cranberry relish and toasted almond vinaigrette, Hot confit Gressingham duck leg, plum and apple conserve and pickled shallots and Crispy ox cheek and Cashel blue fritters, truffled celeriac and port wine reduction. Everything is freshly cooked to order in the open kitchen, but it is very well staffed so we really didn’t have to wait very long for our food to be delivered, although it was all so good that it would have been worth twice the wait!
The deep fried brie oozed molten cheese as it was cut into and the cranberry relish contrasted with both sweet and sharp to balance the richness of the cheese. The duck leg was cooked to perfection, with beautifully soft meat and crispy skin. For my own personal taste, I would have liked the plum and apple conserve to be slightly sharper, but it was still delicious. My husband’s Crispy ox cheek and Cashel blue fritters with truffled celeriac and port reduction was such a success that as he finished he said that the only thing left on his plate was the pattern! All the dishes were exceptionally well presented and something that The Fishpool does that I really like is its use of attractive crockery which makes each dish individual and really adds to the wow factor.
After such success with our choice of starters, we were eagerly anticipating our mains and once again, they didn’t disappoint. We chose Salmon, haddock and cod fishcakes, gribiche sauce and dressed rocket with a side of truffle and Parmesan chips, The Fishpool Inn steak burger with chunky chips, tomato relish and an extra of cheddar cheese and finally the 16oz Ridings Reserve T-Bone steak, scorched beef tomato, flat cap mushroom, chunky chips and extra of Bearnaise sauce. Once again each dish was really well presented, particularly the fish cakes which so often just get plonked on a plate with a bit of salad. Not at The Fishpool, they had managed to give them a bit of elegance and they were absolutely delicious, although after my duck starter and my inability to resist the truffle and Parmesan chips, I only managed to eat one of them! My son had the burger, it was huge, but the meat was moist with just a hint of pink and to my absolute surprise he ate every bit of it – and the chips! The T-Bone was declared ‘fantastic’ as were the accompanying tomato and mushroom, which had been properly cooked and flavoured with garlic, rather than just added to the plate for garnish. We were impressed to see a T-Bone on the menu, as they went out of fashion for a time and even now, not a lot of places serve them. However, it is just one of the many reasons why The Fishpool is so good and stands out from the crowd.
So, after all that food, you would be quite forgiven for thinking that we had to pass on dessert, but no, as the purpose of a review is to give a balanced view we bravely soldiered on and decided to order one to share and there was no better than The Fishpool Inn sundae, sticky toffee pieces, chocolate brownie pieces, meringue, salted caramel and banoffee ice cream. How we ate it all I still don’t know, but we did and just as we had found everything else during the evening, it was impressively presented and completely delicious.
Parmesan Chips
You can probably tell that we love The Fishpool, the staff are excellent – friendly, efficient and yet unobtrusive, the restaurant itself is smartly decorated, but still makes you feel very relaxed and the food – well, it’s just fantastic. When we visited in 2013 we made the comment that the Nelson family had ‘just got it right’ well we can tell you that three years later, they still have. Whether it’s a birthday, anniversary, engagement or just a night off from cooking at home, book yourself a table at The Fishpool, we promise that you’ll leave wishing you’d been there before.
The Fishpool Inn
Fishpool Road, Delamere, Delamere, CW8 2HP
Idyllically positioned on the edge of the enchanting Delamere Forest, the award winning Fishpool Inn is a cosy, characterful inn dating back to the 18th century.