Restaurant review: The Stag’s Head Inn, Lelley.

It’s been just over a month since I made the move from south to north. Though I’m still finding my feet in the new job, I’ve feel like I’ve settled into day-to-day Yorkshire life. I even had my first visitor this weekend just gone; mum drove up on Friday evening to stay with me and the boyfriend. Well, she said it was to visit me, but really I think she just wanted to see the cats.

Either way, as she was only up for a few days, I decided we should take her on a whistle-stop tour of some of my favourite places in East Riding, including Hornsea Mere and Hornsea seafront (where the boyfriend and I had our first date). We even treated her to one of those infamous pattie butties, or a “fatty pattie” as she accidently – but rather aptly – called it.

We then took her out to my favourite pub in the area, The Stag’s Head Inn, where we had a lovely family meal with the boyfriend’s parents. I’ve mentioned this pub before, and we do frequent it quite a bit for food. So I thought it only fitting that I did a proper review of the place…

The Stags Head Inn – what’s being served?

The menu at The Stag includes all the typical dishes you’d expect to find in a pub, like fish and chips, burgers and lasagne. But the food here is a lot more refined than your usual defrosted and deep-fried pub grub.

All the ingredients are fresh and locally sourced – and with so many farms around the area of Lelley, there is plenty to choose from. After a busy day shooting, the boyfriend even gave the pub a dozen partridges for game pies – you can’t get fresher than that.

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It’s safe to say that head chef Ben takes pride in both the taste and the appearance of his dishes. This is particularly evident in the sharing board platters, which get delivered to your table looking more like pieces of culinary art than plates of food.

The Ploughman’s is definitely one of the best things on the menu – in fact it’s so good that quite often it’s taken off the menu because the kitchen has run out of the key components, including the amazing home-made scotch eggs. Just look at these bad boys:

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One thing I especially like about the kitchen at The Stag is that no request is too much trouble, and the chefs will adapt a dish to accommodate a customer (if possible). On the menu, the Ploughman’s comes with Stilton. However I’m not a lover of blue cheese…

“Can the chef swap the Stilton for goat’s cheese please?” – of course, no problem. Just look at those creamy slices of goat’s cheese next to fat slices of cheddar. Mmmmm.

The other thing I like is the portion size. Portions in this pub are big – so share these boards between two as a starter, or (if you’re like me and don’t like sharing food), order one as a main course.

Don’t panic if your eyes are bigger than your belly and you don’t manage it all though; the obliging staff will happily do you a doggy bag to take it home (or in my case, with the fish platter below, a kitty bag full of locally caught crab and fresh prawns).

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And when you’ve finished your main course, if you’ve still got room, there are a whole load of desserts to choose from. The little table blackboards are updated daily with all the traditional favourites like cheesecake and chocolate fudge cake. Plus, depending on the season, there’s home-made crumble and pies, jam roly-poly and summer pudding. All served with cute little jugs of cream.

Speaking of cute, how gorgeous is the tea service?

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The Stags Head Inn – what’s inside?

There’s a bar, a restaurant and a pool room, so if you have to wait for a table (which you’ll probably have to do on a Saturday night if you haven’t called ahead to book, as the restaurant gets pretty busy at weekends), you can grab a drink and rack ’em up. Or, if you’re visiting with a dog, there’s a cosy little porch that muddy paws are welcome in.

Outside, although there isn’t really a beer garden as such, there are a few picnic tables and umbrellas. There’s also ample parking.

It’s the décor inside The Stag that really sets it apart from other pubs in the area, though:

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The Stag is managed by partners Jemma and Roger, who have really put their stamp on the place since taking over a year ago.

Dark wooden beams and rafters add to the authentic country pub feel, while walls are adorned with pictures in gilded frames and shelves are littered with rustic bric-a-brac.

Gorgeous throws and cushions are scattered over the leather chairs, so you can wrap up if you’re feeling chilly on an evening. And positioned in the middle of the bar is a huge brick fireplace, with an open log-burning fire.

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The Stags Head Inn – what’s the verdict?

If you’re ever in the villages of East Riding and looking for somewhere nice to eat, I would definitely consider The Stag.

This place serves more than just traditional pub grub, which when coupled with the friendly, accommodating staff and the homely atmosphere, makes for the prefect afternoon or evening out.

Whether you’re looking for a warming plate of pie and mash slathered in gravy and washed down with a pint of real ale, or something a little more delicate accompanied by a glass , The Stags Head Inn is sure to please.

 

 

** All food was purchased by myself, and these are my own words **

 

58 thoughts on “Restaurant review: The Stag’s Head Inn, Lelley.”

  3. This place looks so good and the food incredibly delicious, i adore the milker its so cute. I would love to have a pub near me like this, i have a feeling i would be eating in it lots x

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  30. This. Sounds. Amazing. And those are proper Northern portions too! I need to check it out the next time I’m up in Yorkshire!

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  31. It’s always lovely to receive visitors especially your family. The pub sounds amazing and the food and presentation looks so good. I think the sign of a good restaurant is how accommodating they are and this one certainly sound like they are so this well .

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  34. This is my type of place to eat, you cannot beat classic pub dishes mixed with that countryside feel with the wooden tables. The portion sizes do look very generous but I think after a long walk I could happy munch through it.

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