The Jockey Inn lunch review

A country pub with wonderful food.

Pershore Road, Baughton, Earls Croome, Worcestershire, WR8 9DQ

the restaurant

As we approached The Jockey Inn, Baughton, my thoughts were ‘that looks a great place to stop and eat’. And it was.

We booked our table online and turned up one sunny Friday afternoon for our Jockey Inn lunch review. The restaurant is split into three areas and all are tastefully decorated with a relaxed feel to the place. There are also tables in a garden/patio area.

It is hard to fault The Jockey Inn, but I did have one small gripe. We were shown to a table next to three other occupied tables in, what I think the waitress called, the library. The main part of the restaurant was empty and I would have thought during these days of Covid that spreading guests around would be better. We asked to sit away from other people and our wish was granted without fuss.

We were given two menus. The restaurant menu looked good. It is clear a lot of thought had gone into the number and the variety of dishes and an evening meal here is now on our ‘to do’ list. We chose from the luncheon menu – 2 courses £15.95 and 3 courses £20.95. There is a limited choice of just three dishes for each course, but both Christina and I thought the choices were interesting and well thought out. It is rare that both Christina and I want to eat from a set menu, but this one suited us just fine.

I found the website slightly confusing. It mentions opening hours, but food is shown as being available only in the evenings. Furthermore, it is not clear to me what days or hours the set luncheon menu is available. However, I have been informed that the website is undergoing a redesign and the new version should have the information required.

The service was excellent. Efficient, friendly, and there when needed. The timing of each course was spot on.

lunch

starters

The Goats’ Cheese Tart with caramelised red onion, red onion jam, and mixed leaves was, according to Christina, gorgeous. My Ham Hock Terrine with pickled vegetables, piccalilli and toasted fig loaf offered a well balanced dish full of striking tastes. I have, quite boringly, selected Ham Hock Terrine as a starter five times of late. Check out my reviews of Ham Hock Terrine at the Bank House, the Tap House, the Masons Arms, and Saffrons Bistro (now closed). Alternatively, see who has the best ham hock terrine in Worcester.

Both dishes were beautifully presented on very classy crockery.

main course

I did enjoy the Confit Duck Leg, creamed potatoes, tenderstem broccoli, and sticky seville orange sauce. Excellent tastes and textures and, as with the starters, beautifully presented. Christina chose the Salmon & Cod Fishcake topped with a free range poached egg, caper & dill hollandaise, on a bed of wilted spinach, and served with skinny fries. And she did enjoy it. The presentation looked rather awkward and unbalanced. However, serving the fries in a basket, as is now generally the way, makes the presentation difficult. Once the fries were on the plate, it looked much better. The fishcake was tasty and the poached egg was cooked perfectly. The skinny fries were exceptional. I know because I ate most of Christina’s.

One small moan. Like many pubs and restaurants that focus on the quality of their food, the portions are not large. The Jockey is not unusual in this. For Christina, the portions were fine. For me, not so fine. I could happily eat more. The hollandaise accompanying the fishcake was exceptional, but not enough of it. However, Christina asked for more and it was delivered to the table in less than a minute. For me, the portions of the terrine and the duck were fine. It was the accompanying piccalilli and fig loaf, and the creamed potato that was in short supply. Next time we eat here, and we will, I shall order a separate serving of the delicious skinny fries just for me.

dessert

The first bite of my Sticky Toffee Pudding, hot butterscotch sauce and vanilla ice cream was heaven. The sponge was light and tasted just how it should. Christina opted for the Peach Iced Tea Panna Cotta, poached peaches and flaked almonds. The panna cotta was perfect – tasty, light, and refreshing. In fact, Christina says the panna cotta was the best she has ever had. The sauce, fruit and flaked almonds not only added to the taste and textures, but made the dish look stunning on the plate. The coffee was also presented very well and was served with a chocolate truffle.

The menu includes the usual coffees and teas along with a choice of six liquer coffees and fourteen cocktails .

around and about The Jockey Inn, Baughton

The beautiful town of Upton-upon-Severn is just over two miles to the west. Information on the town’s independent shops can be found in this Visit Upton website. In the centre of Upton and close to the Hanley Road car park is the Tudor House Museum. Take advantage of a visit to the house and garden of this independent museum.

Upton Ham Nature Reserve is just a six-minute drive. This place is described as a lovely walk with stunning views. Or how about hiring a boat in Upton Marina?

facilities

parking

The pub has its own car park and an oveflow car park a few yards down the road.

disabled access

This pub does have disabled access and a separate disabled toilet.

children

High chairs are available and there is a children’s menu for those aged 10 and under.

take-aways

Take-away food is not available.