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The White Horse
Sharlston Common
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a review by Colin Williams in the Autumn 2009 Edition of O-to-K
We
continue our quest for gastronomic delights with a visit to the White Horse
at Sharlston Common. It's on West Lane between the A638 Wakefield-Doncaster road
and the A645 Wakefield-Pontefract road. It's 4 speed humps from the A638 and 6
from the A645. Both main roads have frequent bus services and it's walkable from
either. A couple of people had recommended it to me; the person who said
"It's very good for what you pay" was certainly talking my language.
A
blackboard in the street described it as an "Old Coaching House" and
it's certainly an attractive building in a pleasant setting. There's a huge
outdoor grassed area with a playground and the sign says "Families
Welcome". It still has the feel of the Bass house it once was and a
"Stones Best Bitter" mirror reminds drinkers of a once great ale
that barely lives on.
The
"Changing Cask Ale" that was on offer was Black Sheep Bitter. One
could do a lot worse and the beer I was served was cracking good ale at a fairly
reasonable �2.45 a pint. The lounge is a pleasant room although the
tables are a touch on the low side. There's another bar and what looked like a
small function room with higher tables and conference room chairs.
There
was certainly a good choice of lunchtime fayre. The main menu has a small
selection of starters at �3.50, main courses include fish, chips and mushy peas
(�7.95), sirloin steak (9.95) and mixed grill (�12.95). A specials board
featured dishes such as steak and kidney pie (�5.50), salmon fillet (�7.95)
and sea bass fillet (�12.95). One of the accompaniments: "garlic and
saffron mash with red wine jus" would really get a gourmet's pulse racing.
There's also a decent choice of sandwiches and baguettes.
On
the bar was a small blackboard titled "Piegata". There was a choice of
Hot and Spicy Chicken, Bacon and Cheese, Moroccan Lamb and Spicy Bean Burger.
The fact that I thought this was a selection of pies shows how well qualified I
am to write this column. A piegata is in fact an Italian style bread pocket a
bit like a pitta bread but softer and very tasty, as I was about to find out. I
chose the Moroccan Lamb version (�4.95) and it came with chips and a
presentable salad with coleslaw. If I ever go to Morocco I shall be able to
confirm its authenticity but I can assure you that it was a very flavoursome
and satisfying dish made with some good meat.
Another
blackboard on the bar proposed a small but interesting selection of sweets.
There was syrup sponge, banoffee roulade, lemon mousse, chocolate melting cake
and Eton Mess, all at a reasonable �2.95. This tempting selection is a clever
piece of marketing, designed to tempt diners to partake when they ought not
to. I thought I'd remind myself what an Eton Mess was. An indulgent combination
of meringue, various berries and cream came in a glass which could almost
have held a Knickerbocker Glory. I have only one complaint: my spoon was
too large to get right to the bottom!
This
had been a good lunch with the added bonus of superb ale. It was very quiet for
a Friday lunchtime but I imagine it gets a lot busier later. Meals are served
all day Mon-Sat (12.00-20.30) and Sundays from 12.00-17.00. Enjoy.
The White Horse, West Lane, Sharlston Common, WF4 1EP. 01924 862327