The Moorend Spout — Restaurant in England

I came here a few months ago and had a very mediocre meal but it wasn't long after they'd restarted indoor meals and figured it was just teething problems. I was wrong.

Today I came for a Sunday lunch with family. I had the soup which was so thick peaks were still visible in it when it arrived at the table and I could hold my spoon upside down not have it drop. It was tasty but was not a soup.

I chose roast chicken for main. The chicken was frankly vile. I didn't think it was possible to mess up roast chicken but somehow they managed it. It tasted like the chicken you used to get in those microwaveable TV dinners in the 80s and 90s. And to cap it all it was so dry the edges were curling in places.

The cauliflower cheese was so anemic I mistook it for mashed potato. Hiding in it was raw onion, which apparently the chef had added "for crunch". Crunch is not a texture I look for in cauliflower cheese and certainly not in the form of raw onion, to which I have an intolerance.

There were five in my party. We were given one big set of veg between four of us and a single serving. This made it very difficult to distribute - why we couldn't be given 2 sets of 2 I don't know - and the portions were tiny.

I ended up having my plate taken away and offered an alternative main which I declined as I doubted the quality would be any better. When it came to paying the meal hadn't been removed from the bill and if it wasn't for my checking would have been paid for.

All round a disappointing meal and one that means I will sadly be avoiding the Moorend Spout...

A peaceful evening with my friend. The cider I had was nice... My friend had a pepsi. The food was well cooked. I had a mushroom tarragon suet pudding which was rather delicious, the gravy wasn't overly reduced which so commonly I find with restaurants, the vegetables were seasonal and well cooked too. Mostly al dente to which I was rather impressed, the kind of roasted potatoes were pleasant... Yeah cannot complain... My friend had scampi and chips, mushy peas and tartare sauce... She didn't have enough lemon for it all I felt... The wedge was too small. The peas were minted and so she didn't finish them, mushy peas should be made with marrowfat and served un-minted. Personally I wouldn't serve the same chips with. A proper chip would be better. These were thickly cut fries. Moving on to dessert I had blackberry and apple crumble with cherry and clotted cream and my friend had a cookie with vanilla ice cream. There wasn't enough fruit in the crumble, but the ice cream was unbelievably delicious and the crumble topping was well made and had oats in. My friends cookie was far too rich and served in a violently hot pan... I can let a chef off for presentation but like? If it endangers the customer it's not a bright idea (my friend I think played down that she burned herself on said pan) the waitress had warned yes... But like... Come on! Overall a good experience. Very reasonably priced too. Probably will be back...

I'm always wary of posting about places I know, the Moorend is my local, I know it well, I might be accused of bias. However, my wife and I ate here this evening. My wife had the Taiwanese prawn curry, she finished it all, an empty plate, a remarkable thing. I had the pulled lamb shepherd's pie with seasonal veg, I also finished it, another empty plate. Both were hot, full of flavour and delicious. I had sticky Toffee pudding for desert, I was told I couldn't lick my plate. My wife had an enormous 'mini' Eton mess. Another empty dish. An amazing evening. Service was attentive and exemplary, despite them being busy. Staff were were friendly and responsive. Price was moderate given the size of our portions, but I would have gladly paid more for the meal, it was that good. All tables were taken so I suggest booking on a busy event day and aways on a Sunday. There's is a car park at the back, and a garden for a Sunny day. Maybe I'll see...