Anchor Inn
Drake Street, Welland, Worcestershire, WR13 6LN,UK
Tel: 01684 592317

A party of 6 for Sunday lunch. We were greeted by the owners, our drinks order taken promptly, and then left to read the blackboard menus - of which there were 3! The main board listed a huge array of dishes, and as well as the dessert board there was a Sunday special with a couple of special starters and a choice of 3 roasts. L was intrigued by the mushrooms with blue cheese and banana, but wasn't adventurous enough to try, instead opting for the steak and kidney pie. T's roast beef and E's roast chicken were generous helpings with all the relevant trimmings (but, as usual, no bread sauce). J thought his roast lamb rather tough but we couldn't work out if this was the fault of the farmer, butcher or kitchen! My honey roast half duck (from the regular menu) was very good indeed but I would have liked more sauce, as the accompanying vegetables were properly cooked but rather dry. So too was Nick's steak.
Nick and I shared a Creme Brulee which was very tasty but had a texture more of cheesecake than anything else. This was a surprise but didn't detract from the flavour.
Overall, the food was fine, prices reasonable and both pub and restaurant had a good atmosphere. I think the exceptionally long menu is their weak point - trying that bit too hard to satisfy every possible taste. While we were looking at the menu, the soup was being rubbed off. I exclaimed that it was early to run out but was told that "Er, actually we were so busy with breakfasts for campers earlier, we forgot to make the soup!" Another example of being stretched in too many directions, although it has to be admitted they have a beautiful location for a campsite.
August 2009