Countryside pub, The Rope & Anchor – Review

The Rope & Anchor is a delightful country pub and restaurant tucked away amongst the windy country lanes of Dunham Massey.

Serving up classic pub dishes with different daily menu options offerings incorporating local seasonal produce, a fine selection of wines, spirits and of course JW Lees Ales.

We at Revive Mag were invited to the restaurant and to try their menu.

First impressions on arrival looking from the outside are it’s well kept quiet cosey country pub,

We entered the carpark around the back to be greeted with a lovely beer garden, with a converted barn.

You really get the feel of a modern countryside pub of quality. Through the back entrance, the pub opens up into different areas with a mix of booths, high chairs and tweed decorated low seating with big wooden tables and carver chairs.

They also have a grand bar area upstairs, ideal for special events, we have to say it’s rather impressive. The upstairs and converted barn outside are perfect for events and gatherings, which can be exclusively booked for any occasion. The upstairs especially has great views of the rolling countryside.

We were greeted by the bar manager, who was lovely and friendly, we decided to sit downstairs at the window in some high back green leather carver chairs, we felt they were very comfy and felt relaxed.

We were given the menu, there was so much choice it was hard to decide what to have. Along with the daily menu, there was also a light lunch option reasonably priced at £12 for 2 courses and £14 for 3 courses. This included Peppered Rump Steak, Grilled Seabass Fillet and Chefs Homemade Pie of the Day which was a Beef Pudding.

On the main menu, there was a wonderful choice of JW Lees Beer Battered Haddock with thick-cut chips, mushy peas and proper gravy, farm House Sausages, creamy mash potato, garden peas and onion gravy.

This was all very tempting but I fancied trying one of the alternative dishes like Roast Chicken Breast, chorizo, gnocchi, spinach, tomato, Gran Padano, soft herb oil or the Roast Lamb Rump, garlic & herb roast purple potatoes, stem broccoli, red wine jus, it was difficult to decide with having so much to choose from.

STARTERS

After finally deciding what to order, we eventually ordered

A selection of Warm Organic Bread with Oil, Balsamic & Houmous (£6.50)
to nibble on whilst waiting for our starters.

The portion was very generous and enough for 4 people as a beginning to a meal. It was fresh and the Houmous was super light and delicious.

Crispy Duck Salad with spring onion dressing from the Light Lunch menu and Whipped Goats Cheese, apple, walnuts, beetroot, chicory, croutons (£6.95)

The portion size was ample and delivered great fresh flavours which you would expect with a crispy duck salad.

Both were pleasantly presented, fresh and full of flavour.

MAINS

Pea & Shallot Ravioli, spinach, broad beans, basil and pine nut pesto (£7.45 as a starter/£13.95 main) and Baked Salmon Filet, crispy pancetta, sautéed potatoes, creamed cabbage & leeks (£15.95).

The portion size again was very generous for the main meal. It was served warm and felt cloggy in the mouth to me, the pea filling lacked flavour and needed more seasoning and perhaps lemon to liven up the flavours. I was looking forward to this, but I have to say it did turn out to be disappointing.

However, the Baked Salmon for me was a stand out dish, expertly cooked and ample portion size, this was a winner too me.

After everything we ate we had little room for dessert, so as it was a hot day we thought we’d try out the Cheshire Farm Ice Creams, White Chocolate, Raspberry Ripple and Chocolate. There was a great choice of other puddings like Lemon Meringue Pie, Baked Fruit Crumble and Sticky Toffee pudding all £5.95 which I am sure would have been amazing.

They also do a marvellous Sunday Lunch,
2 courses for £16.50
3 courses £20.00,
Bookings are well-advised.

VERDICT

If you’re looking for a drive out to a beautiful location it’s well worth putting The Rope & Anchor on your list of places to discover. It’s a great location, with a varied menu, great atmosphere inside and out, a fantastic venue to enjoy lunch or dinner with a group of friends or a day out with the family, lovely for walking and awesome views of Dunham Massey right on their doorstep.

It’s a winner in our eyes.