Butcher & Beast — Restaurant in North Kesteven

The whole family (and I include the fantastic staff in this) put their heart and soul into running this place and it shows. This old, stone-built pub has quite rightly become increasingly popular as its reputation has been steadily built up since Mal and Diane took over the tenancy ten years ago. Mal runs the cellar exceptionally well, putting his lifetime in the trade to good use. The regular selection of three or four Bateman’s real ales is complemented by a regularly changing guest list. Lager drinkers will normally find a couple of choices of premium lagers like Vedett and Peroni on tap. Gin lovers are well-catered for with a huge selection of premium gins and tonics. There is also good selection of quality rums and whiskies. Diane shines behind the scenes, running the kitchen and restaurant and making it look effortless. She produces a wide selection of pub grub staples to a consistently high standard. Her home-made steak and ale pie is to die for, as is the ham hock and leek pie. The Penang curry is superb - you can have it either vegetarian, or choose to add chicken or prawns. My own personal favourite is the Beastie Burger. I spend a lot of time in the States - land of the burger. I’ve stopped eating them there, as they can’t hold a candle to Diane’s Beastie. The pub has a welcoming atmosphere, with an open fire providing warmth in winter, and the thick stone walls keeping you cool in summer. Locals and staff alike are friendly and chatty, but please don’t enter with the attitude that the customer is always right, or that your children can behave as they like. Fools are not suffered gladly and if you’re silly enough to treat anyone with disrespect, you’ll probably leave feeling aggrieved, with the overwhelming urge to write an undeserved negative review. Rather than potentially damaging their hard-won reputation, staff and regulars would much prefer it if you just didn’t come back. There are plenty of people for whom the place is perfect. The team have worked extremely hard during the COVID outbreak to make the place as safe as possible for customers inside and out. The beer garden is now almost entirely covered over, and all tables have a very effective overhead infra red heater to keep the chill off. They have introduced a takeaway service during lockdown, and I urge everyone to use this as much as possible to support them and help them keep their heads afloat during these...

We picked this place for a double birthday celebration Sunday lunch as the reviews we read seemed to suggest this was a nice place to go. What a disappointment! We were squashed onto a table right in a corner by the wall and in front of a screen. We actually had to physically pick the table up and move it so we could all sit down as it was so tightly jammed in we couldn't get to it. We asked if we could change tables, as the restaurant was almost empty but we were rather snappishly told by the waitress that this was our table and we couln't move. If the other tables had been booked I would have understood that, but only one other family came in the whole time we were there, so plenty of other tables were available.We ordered drinks but when one arrived which was meant to be gin and tonic, the glass was completely full (right to the top)with ice! The gin was under all the ice and was completly drowned. I have never seen a full glass of ice over a drink...it was really awful.The food was distinctly average, and everthing came dumped on the plate, including the gravy which was unfortunate as one of our party doesn't like gravy. Usually it comes separatly and you have a choice to put it on your food. Altogether not a great experience and spoiled out birthday treat. At almose £100 for 4 people it was shockingly expensive for what we got. I wouldn't recommend it and we certainly won't...

The Butcher and Beast in Heighington has recently changed management with Alex and Allen taking over. Alex and Allen are taking the time to see what works and first impressions are it is working very well. There is a very good selection of beers and I have not been disappointed in their condition. The team behind the bar and working in the restaurant are happy and pleasant to be around. Regarding the food, well where do I start? The new chef, Lenny, obviously has skill and takes the time to discuss the food if you can make the effort to engage with him. We have eaten his food several times and have always been thoroughly impressed with the quality, flavour, and presentation. There are often specials which offer traditional and sometimes something a little unusual such as Cajun spiced haloumi skewers; these were really very good. To summarise, if you want to experience excellent food at very realistic prices, please give the pub a go. You may have to book or be a little patient if you just turn up, but I feel you should not be...