The Pheasant, Salisbury: Well-thought-out menu and value for money

The site seemed both muddled and appeared to contain, out-of-date information from previous owners.

So unusually I thought I would call in prior to my review, reacquaint myself with the manager Joey Langley and have a single-course lunch.

I am glad that I did just that. I decided to order one of my favourite Pub dishes, Bangers and Mash.

This is a common dish and as such many Chefs believe they can easily cook this dish, after all the basic ingredients are simple, so anyone can cook this dish.

My experience of this dish, in dozens of restaurants, is that barely 20 per cent get it right.

In one of my reviews I challenged Chefs and Customers to let me have their recipes so that we can create a competition to find the best Bangers & Mash in Salisbury.  

The challenge has never been taken up! I suspect because so many people think, ‘what can go wrong with such a simple dish?’  On my evidence a lot. 

However now that I have tried Chef Wayne Mantey’s example, I believe I have found the best Bangers and Mash in the whole of the Salisbury district! That guy can cook!

A minor comment would be that the sausages were pipping hot as was everything else, I would have preferred that his sauce had been hotter.

Then again, I have been accused of having an asbestos-coated throat. Well done Wayne, a great presentation, lovely mash with accompanying, carrots and broccoli, and a crispy parsnip nest, delicious. [Price £14.95.]

The ‘Sausage of the Day,’ as described on the menu, changes on a regular basis.

Following my lunch, I was really looking forward to sampling more of the Pheasants’ Inn menu.

Di had not been inside the Pheasant for years. She commented amongst other things, on the perfect way the tables and chairs had been organised into a comfortable and relaxed way it gave off a delightful atmosphere. The building dates back to the 15th century.

In 1638 a shoemakers acquired the corner section.

It has a pleasant, cobbled courtyard that allows customers to eat outside as they would have done over the centuries, very atmospheric, as is the whole of this Grade 2 starred listed building.

It is extremely rich in both external and internal oak beams.

Warning though, Mind your Head! The comments contained in the latest Website,’ That our staff are there to make your party, of whatever size feel special,’ if our experience is anything to go by and with Amelia our waitresses’ input, they have succeeded.

Just a small point when the cutlery was changed for each course so was the paper napkin, a small but appreciated detail.

Starters

There was a selection of six starters, priced from £3.95 to £11.95. Di chose the Homemade soup of the day which was Butternut Squash £6.95 [Scored 8]

Butternut Squash Soup (Image: Newsquest)

I sampled the Port and Stilton Mushrooms served with an unctuous tasty sauce, a well-conceived sauce, £7.95 [Scored 8]. 

Main Course

There is a selection of 13 priced from £13.95 to £18.95.

Di had the Buddha Bowl £14.95 A large portion of freshly prepared falafel, hummus, pickled beetroot, onion, smoked quinoa, curried chickpeas, fresh leaf salad and vegan slaw, finished with roasted nuts. [Scored 8]

Buddha Bowl (Image: Newsquest)

I challenged the chef to cook the perfect Beef Burger, 8oz of local brisket, served in a classic burger bun, with tomato relish, cheddar cheese, smoked bacon, salad and seasoned French fries. Priced at £14.95.

We tried not to eat the generous portion of French fries. They were fabulous! The Ox Row Inn’s title of having the best chips in Salisbury, is being mightily challenged. [Scored 9 the chips 10]

Beef burger (Image: Newsquest)

Desserts

There is a selection of five homemade, all priced at £6.95 plus six varieties of Ice cream scoops and cheese and biscuits priced from £8.95 or £14.95.

Sticky Toffee Pudding (Image: Newsquest)

I had the Sticky Toffee Pudding, Di the Cheesecake. I think next time we will have all the Desserts in place of a main course, that wouldn’t really work, or could we have chips with Sticky Toffee Pudding, perhaps not.

Wines and non-Alcoholic drinks

There is a wide selection of interesting hot and cold non-alcoholic drinks, a new wine list is being prepared, not an extensive one, but all will be available by both the bottle and glass.

This very much welcomed addition to Salisbury’s wide selection of restaurants. It offers a well-thought-out menu, good portions and value for money, well worth a visit.

It closes on Mondays and Tuesdays.  

With our famous Market having been around for nearly 800 years, that strikes me as odd.

Tuesday being one of the busiest retail days in Salisbury, particularly from a tourists perspective, to me closing then is a missed opportunity, it is a mistake.