Black Lane Ends Tavern — Restaurant in Borough of Pendle

We visited early on a Tuesday afternoon. It wasn’t very busy. One person tending the bar and also waiting on. We were asked to find a table then she would come over and take our order. They were plenty of options on where to sit and the place looked clean and tidy with a nice real fire belting out some welcome heat.

We have been sat down for a few minutes waiting when a party of four came in and sat at a table close by. When the server came over she went straight to them and took their drinks order before us. Fortunately she then did ask us what we wanted to drink. Had she gone to the bar to get their drinks before asking us we would have got up and left. For some people this might seem a trivial matter but we saw it as a sign of poor service.

I asked for the wine list. The server said the wines were in the drinks menu on the table. But this only showed wines available by the glass. No information on the price of a bottle, its country of origin or ABV. I found that a little strange to say the least. I asked if she could bring over a bottle of Shiraz and confirm the price. This was done and once I have checked the bottle and the price was confirmed I opted to go with that.

At no time did the server mention anything about the specials that were on offer. From where we were sat we couldn’t see the mains specials board hung on the wall but we had seen it on our way to our seats. Also we were never asked if we had any allergies.

I went for the lambs liver and my fellow diner ordered the fish and chips. The food didn’t take long to arrive. My initial impression was that mine looked well presented. It was tasty and hot. I liked the way the bacon had been sliced up and mixed in with the onions then sprinkled on top of the meal. However, I only got two pieces of liver which I thought was a bit measly. Also there was far too much gravy on it for me. Once I had finished the liver and mashed potato it resembled a broth or soup and would have been easier to eat using a spoon rather than a fork.

The fish and chips didn’t look appetising at all. The chips looked like they have been burnt. However, this could be because they were cooked in beef dripping. But they were quite obviously fresh, not frozen, and again tasty and hot. The fish was tasty as well and the prices for our meals comparable with other establishments in the area.

I was still hungry after my mains and I could see the desserts board from where I was sitting. I ordered the cheesecake. The server was gone before I could stop them because, according to the blackboard, desserts came with the option of either ice cream, cream or creme anglaise. When my cheesecake arrived I pointed this out to our server. I asked for ice cream but again she was gone before I could ask about the options. Ice cream appeared to be available in three flavours, chocolate, vanilla or strawberry. I was served vanilla. If I have been given a choice I would have gone with the strawberry to match the cheesecake. Unfortunately, my dessert wasn’t what I was expecting. I have never been served cheesecake in a dish before. I got the impression that they were made offsite them brought in. Presentation wasn’t the best. The strawberry sauce had run down the sides of the dish and onto the plate beneath. I don’t think it represented good value for money either at £7.50 a serving. When the server did bring over my ice cream she did say sorry but it was yet another little thing that was starting to mar our meal.

At no time during the course of our visit were we asked if our meal was okay. Even when our plates were being taken away we were still not asked if everything was alright. Although our server was pleasant enough she seemed a little bit inexperienced and lacking in customer service skills.

Overall we left with a feeling of disappointment. Although the main meals have been good the overall experience wasn’t the best. Minor issues? Maybe. Easily rectified? Probably. I have tried to list some positives but, based on this visit, it’s unlikely we will be rushing back in the...

Went out for a meal with the mother and friends. Great atmosphere on arrival to the pub, but for a party of 4 adults trying to squeeze is into a corner table by the fireplace where one chair is practically squished between the table and fireplace wall didnt go down well. Fortunately when we asked to move table staff were more than happy to accomodate us, and very attentive when ordering. Any questions they are more than happy to answer, which is why i highly rate the service and atmosphere.

Its just a shame i couldnt do the same for the food.

Ordered the pork belly with mustard mash and apple gravy, but whilst pork fell apart like butter, any actual flavour was nowhere to be found. Except for the pork crackling which sadly tasted burnt... The gravy was running like water and just not enough of it to go around.

Mother and friends had the hunters chicken and scampi, but chips across the board were soggy and burnt. Not sure if the chef hadn't changed the oil and/or dropping chips into oil before its hot enough, but personally made better chips at home.

Such a shame as this little gem has everything going for it, with their annual buy one get one free meal deal as well that runs every january, but i wouldnt pay full price for these meals outisde the offer period. If i would have had to i would have been sending meals back...

I would suggest revise the menu and make sure the chef(s) are tasting what they are making....master this and would be one of those rare pubs im sure anyone would recommend :) i personally hope to come back next year and see an improvement, but will...

My husband and our friends were shooting at Kelbrook and I was in charge of the friends dog so asked where I could walk and was told about a mile over the fields on the designated footpaths I would come across the Black Lane Ends pub and what a great decision that was. The weather wasn’t great but still warm and after ordering a lovely large ( of course ) glass of Shiraz I chose to sit outside , puppo and I were made to feel more than welcome inside but I wanted to be outside . I sat out front on the furniture there ( there’s a garden at the rear and a kiddies park I noticed ) and just enjoyed the nothingness of the view. Whilst I was ordering my wine I saw food been brought out and told my party to come here once they had done so we could eat and it didn’t disappoint. We had steak sandwiches and when mine came out with a dressing on the side salad without hesitation changed it for one without ( it was my fault entirely as I had completely forgotten to say no dressing ) , my husband had a lamb sandwich and our friend ordered sides of black pudding bites . All of the food was amazing, the young ladies were attentive and the landlady was lovely. They even have a little doggy dish of meat ends in gravy £3 or £4 I couldn’t remember as we didn’t order as our dog can’t eat that but my 5 back home would have loved that . So what was a stumble across this gem turned out to be a true diamond and we will definitely be...