Tap House dinner review
great value family pub, restaurant, and brewery
Station Road, Hartlebury, Kidderminster, DY11 7YJ
the restaurant
We arrived for my Tap House dinner review to find a pub situated next to the rail tracks. In fact, this pub and restaurant are housed in a former railway station building. The unmanned Hartlebury Station platform is just the other side of the wall.
We entered through the busy bar area and were shown to our seat in the light and airy, wood-panelled restaurant. As we arrived early at 6 p.m. there were only two other tables taken so the restaurant was relatively quiet. However, the general conversation from the bar area created a nice atmosphere. By 6.30 the restaurant was starting to fill up – some couples, families with children, a good mix of clientele.
the food
starters
A good selection of starters included three that took my eye. For instance, the Chicken Yakatori Skewers, and the Breaded Salmon Goujons really appealed to me. I asked and was told that the salmon goujons were not homemade, so I opted for the Ham Hock & Apricot Terrine. This was served with fresh garden salad, toasted bread and homemade red wine and port onion chutney, I enjoyed this dish. The onion chutney was tasty but too small in quantity so the waitress readily brought out another portion. One issue was the plate which was long, narrow and quite stylish. However, it was so narrow, it was difficult to load the fork without food falling onto the table.
You can find out more about local ham hock terrines in my blog post the best ham hock terrine in Worcester.
Christina didn’t want a starter but shared sides of onion rings and cheesy garlic bread with daughter. Of course, I tried some too! The onions rings were good and not greasy as they often are elsewhere. Similarly, the garlic bread with cheese was good, lots of cheese and succulent – if that is the right word to describe garlic bread.
The waitress was friendly, helpful, and could not be faulted.
main courses
The menu has a good selection of burgers, steaks, chicken dishes, fish, salads and pasta, and some pub classics. The two vegetarian options are a Halloumi Burger, and Mediterranean Vegetable Lasagne. Additionally, there are two gluten free and vegan dishes of Butterbean Sweet Potato & Spinach Stew, and Turmeric & Coconut Curry. We chose the Tap House Pie of The Day which was Steak and Ale, The Moroccan Burger, and the Slow Braised Feather BIade of Beef.
The slow braised beef was a large plateful with a generous portion of meat topped with a rich, homemade gravy. It was accompanied by cabbage, cauliflower, peas, carrots and creamy garlic dauphinoise potatoes. The meat was tasty, I enjoyed the potatoes, and the vegetables were all cooked to my liking.
The Moroccan burger was marinated in coriander, mint, garlic and chilli, and topped with melted Monterey Jack cheese. This was a large burger that was fresh and appeared home-made. Overall, Christina felt the burger was good, had a chilli kick and she liked the relish.
Daughter selected chips and peas with her steak and ale pie. The pie had a puff pastry lid, was tasty, and was a good-sized portion.
desserts
Where else can you get a dessert for £4.25? Two of us chose a dessert – both cheesecake. Daughter had the Cookie and Cream Cheesecake with a scoop of ice cream. She said it was lovely and ate it all.
My selection was Abbie’s Homemade Lotus Biscoff Cheesecake. All I can say is, “Well done, Abbie, it was beautiful.”
the brewery and the ales
The Tap House owners re-opened the on-site brewery a couple of years back. This article from the Kidderminster Shuttle is an interesting read.
In addition to a good range of bought-in ales, they now also offer their own blends. I enjoyed a Rambo Mango ale. The owners aim to have four of their own brew ales available at all times and up to four guest ales. Next time, I will sample some more Tap House ales and Christina can drive. Other draught beers and ciders: Carling, Kronenbourg, Guinness, Robinson Cider, Thatcher’s Gold Cider, Thatcher’s Haze Cider, and Carling Black Fruits Cider. There is a huge selection of spirits behind the bar.
The Tap House website only briefly mentions the brewery. However, it would be nice to be able to read about the brewery’s history and the ales they brew before visiting. Even better would be a tour of the brewery followed by a meal in the restaurant. Then my next Tap House dinner review could include a review of the brewery.
around and about the Tap House
Hartlebury Castle was home to the Bishops of Worcester for over 1,000 years until 2007. It is a beautiful building with a rich history where they host lots of events and activities.
Less than one mile away is Whitlenge Gardens & Tea Room. Wander through three acres of landscaped gardens in the picturesque Worcestershire countryside.
Should you fancy a bit of fishing followed by lunch or dinner at the Tap House, there are a couple of choices. Unwicks Farm Fishery is just down the road, and it is just a short, 5-minute drive to Moorlands Farm Coarse Fisheries.
Kidderminster is nearby, and it is 18 minutes to the Wyre Forest National Nature Reserve.
facilities
parking
The Tap House has its own car park.
disabled access
This restaurant is suitable for wheelchairs with disabled access to the restaurant and bar.
children
Children are welcome and there is a kid’s menu. High chairs are available and there are also baby changing facilities.
toilets
The toilets were small and clean and there is a disabled toilet.
take-aways
Take-away food is available.
Tap House dinner review
I hope you have found my Tap House dinner review of use. For more ideas check out my other dinner reviews.
Visit: Tuesday 3 November 2020
Visit the Tap House website.