A fancy bacon butty made the perfect light lunch
Football fans are used to it. Diners are not, however. The cold terraces and chilly winds that lash through April and May might be considered normal by fans of the Premier League soccer teams. You’re not so welcome among those who sit down for chicken breast, potato fondant, and wild garlic pesto.
Nevertheless, restaurants in the region make hay even though the sun is not always shining. There was a large turnout of diners who wanted to eat out again, and pubs with patios, windshields, and outdoor seating made money.
The boat in Orleton near Ludlow is definitely a pub. It’s also one of the best in the county.
It is community funded and supported and serves good quality real ales, snacks and sandwiches. It has an exceptional team.
It opened its doors after the lockdown as soon as the venues were allowed and people returned in droves.
For her, like so many others, it was the light at the end of the tunnel.
You could have expected less trading. After all, the cooling of the easterly winds has been an integral part of the latest weather forecasts.
The guests were not deterred, however, and the tables, which were set under an awning, were usually full.
The Boot Inn in Orleton near Ludlow
My friend and I visited for a light lunch. The joy of dining out with friends was not only palpable at our table, but also among several others.
People gathered with carpets over cold knees, huddled in winter coats and hands in pockets when they were not busy with knives and forks.
There was a hustle and bustle of noise and happy chatter as gregarious creatures exchanged stories about lockdown, covid, and what might come next.
Three course dinners might be an option for those more used to cold air, although my friend and I opted for a single course – a classic sandwich – as we enjoyed our reintroduction to food.
The boot menu contains many classics; There were starters with breaded whitebait, cured salmon and baked camembert, followed by main courses with fish and chips, burgers and fries and homemade fish cake with cheesy porridge and vegetables.
For us, however, it was all about bacon when we both picked The Boot’s fabulous bacon butty, which was filled with Tudge’s thickly sliced bacon, thin slices of quick melting brie, and a sweet / hot onion jam.
The sandwiches were accompanied by chunky fries and a brilliant leaf salad with a mustard vinaigrette.
The cozy and inviting interior of the Boot Inn in Orleton
When venues serve food this simple, it has to be well cooked – there are no places to hide.
Luckily the chef at The Boot knew his onions and we were both completely satisfied.
The shoe’s commitment to local products was evident in the choice of meat. Bacon grown within a few miles, slaughtered nearby, and cured on site was delicious. Salty, meaty and slightly sweet, it had been cooked to perfection so that the edges were comfortably crispy.
The brie melted into a sticky, cheesy mess – almost like butter – as it lay in the sandwich, while the onion jam severed any palatability from the cheese.
The chunky fries were pretty good with roughened, crispy edges in a honey-colored gold tone. Each was crispy and exploded with a burst of steam as their fluffy innards were revealed.
The salad meanwhile was perfect. Made from Lane Cottage leaves – also locally sourced – it has been expertly dressed, adding intrigue and a touch of bitterness to the dish. To be honest, we were both thrilled. We’d been thinking about something more substantial – no, not Michael Gove’s Scotch Egg – but were delighted to have chosen a dish that was perfectly executed, contained the best of local produce, and sat us happily without making us feel uncomfortable to feel.
Also, the idea of extending our 3pm stay on a windswept afternoon in spring – even though we were happy – was beyond our constitutions.
There will be sunnier days ahead and soon hospitality will open its doors wide when we are allowed back inside.
The Boot Inn in Orleton near Ludlow
Pubs like The Boot are extremely important to the region’s economy.
At a time when pubs close quickly, The Boot is the best in its class.
The Boot Inn has been a thriving pub in the heart of the village of Orleton for many years.
Unfortunately, the pub was closed in 2017 and there was a risk that it would be sold for residential development.
The community formed a Community Benefit Society, which put together an offer to buy the Boot Inn and reopened it as a shop in the village.
If this succeeds, it would secure the future of the Boot Inn as a community facility for many years to come.
There are not one but two listed buildings on the site, both of which have been listed by Herefordshire County Council to protect them as valuable architectural assets.
The parish council listed the pub as an “asset of community value” that gave the parish the right to bid on its purchase.
The cozy and inviting interior of the Boot Inn in Orleton
The goal was to have a friendly and welcoming village pub serving local beers and freshly made food at reasonable prices.
As support for a community pub increased, the locals realized that the Boot Inn could be more than a pub and began introducing a range of community facilities including a cafe, coffee and lunch clubs for the elderly and less mobile.
Having great landlords and employees was critical to the pub’s survival and growth.
My friend and I were amazed at the warmth emanating from teams that, to be honest, must be half-frozen.
Attentive, efficient, and welcoming, they exuded generosity and were clearly delighted to do what they do best as they provided exceptional hospitality to the locals.
Memories of Lockdown will soon be erased as venues like The Boot bring smiles to locals’ faces.
Great food, simply served and responsibly sourced, then served with a smile – The Boot has the perfect recipe for success.