What could be better on the first Sunday of a brand new year than a trip to the pub for a traditional roast dinner.
That was our thinking as we headed to the recently transformed Bolton favourite The Blundell Arms, which reopened last month following a refurbishment, both inside and out.
Previously known as the Moorgate Inn, the Grade II listed pub has origins from the 17th century and the plan was to create a more ‘vibrant setting’, while keeping the traditional features that customers know and love.
The outside bit has been extended to include a new veranda and covered terrace for diners and drinkers and another fireplace has been added to the cosy interior.
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After such an overhaul, I wasn’t quite expecting to be told the heating was broken when we arrived for lunch last weekend, but thankfully they had some heaters on the go and, with the exception of some rather chilly toilet trips, we were pretty cosy in the corner table we were given – with spectacular scenic views from one window and entertainment from a cute little Beagle playing outside from the other.
We’d toyed with the idea of bringing our dog and it’s ideal for stopping off here following one of many walks that can be done locally. The Horwich pub is on the doorstep of Rivington Pike and you can access maps on the AllTrails website, or scan a QR code on the walking map displayed at the pub itself.
That said, our dog had already had a long trek out that morning and quite frankly can be a bit of a pest, especially where food is concerned. One whiff of the dishes in this place would have had him bouncing up and down.
Apart from our youngest, who went for the cheese and bacon burger, £15.29, with a rather generous side of crispy halloumi fries, at £3.99, we all went for a roast, served with duck fat roast potatoes, a Yorkshire pudding, sausage meat stuffing, maple-roast carrots and parsnips and seasonal veg and gravy.
The 7-hour slow-cooked rib of beef was the most expensive option, at £17.79, but after a forkful of meat was thrust in my face with the demand to ‘try that, just try that’, it gives you some idea of how enthralled my other half was with this choice. When a diner at the table next to us asked for his opinion on the dish, I doubt he was expecting such a detailed description, involving how it ‘fell straight off the bone’.
Our turkey roasts, at £14.79, were just as delightful. Thick, tender slices of meat hiding under those huge fluffy Yorkshires and each one with its own mini jug of gravy to pour over.
But it was the side dish that’s really worth shouting about. Had we known the size of the solitary pig in blanket that comes with the dish we probably wouldn’t have ordered any extra, but here we were with two cast iron skillets on our table, both containing two ginormous sausages in bacon. Yet at £1.99, we weren’t exactly breaking the bank, likewise with the other Sunday Side, a £2.49 cauliflower cheese, which proved a welcome addition to the broccoli, peas and carrots.
The roasties accompanying our turkey could have done with being a bit crispier – they looked and tasted more like boiled potatoes – but it didn’t spoil the overall meal.
And we’d certainly forgotten all about it by the time desserts arrived. After pondering over the brownie and sundae that the kids had chosen, my husband suddenly went rogue and ordered the Bramley apple tart and coconut ice cream. He’s the Bounty fan of the family.
For some reason it was the source of much hilarity and when the puddings arrived, it soon became a source of regret too.
Not that there was anything wrong with it, it just paled in comparison to the triple chocolate brownie covered in rich chocolate sauce and the salted caramel sundae, layered with chocolate and clotted cream ice creams, vanilla cheesecake, chocolate brownie, whipped cream and salted caramel sauce.
My choice fell somewhere in between as I opted for a mini pud and hot drink, which, at £6.79, was roughly the same price as a full size dessert. My caramelised vanilla cheesecake was gone in about three spoonfuls, but it was about all I could manage and I was quite relieved by the custard-like texture, which made it a bit lighter.
I can’t say whether this place was worth visiting before the makeover, but it’s definitely worth a trip there now, with or without those Sunday Sides.
