Start 2020 at The Falcon Bridgnorth

If I had to sum up The Falcon Hotel in two words they would be ‘Pure & Elegance’. From the minute you walk into the minute you leave; the experience is guaranteed to impress.

My business partner Debbie and I, felt we needed and excuse to blow away the winter blues and decided to try the set menu at The Falcon Hotel in Bridgnorth, available from noon – 2.30pm daily (except Sundays), 2 course for £12 and 3 for £15.

The bar area is simply stunning, all staff members dressed very professionally, and the restaurant is simply astounding and laid out fit for a king. We took a seat in the window and was handed a well-presented book of menus that are available, including a very extensive wine menu.

Once menus had been perused, we were tempted with the bar and lounge menu that is also available during the day, but opted to stick with the set menu as it offered more items from the evening a la carte menu, so would give us a taste of what the Falcon Kitchen is really capable of.

Starters was an easy choice, chicken liver pate, pickles and toast for Debbie whilst I opted for the goat’s cheese, hazelnut granola with plum and pesto. Arriving fairly swiftly, my goat’s cheese starter was presented like it had just come out of a Michelin Starred restaurant, it looked phenomenal and tasted as good as it looked. The mixture of ingredients perfectly complimented each other, the juicy plum, crunchy granola and soft tangy goat’s cheese just went together deliciously with the pesto adding a hint of herbs, a very remarkable dish.

As much as Debbie was enjoying her pate, she insisted I tried some as she claimed it was very special, and she wasn’t lying. The bread was fresh and toasted and the chicken liver pate really has to be the best either of us had ever tasted, and I genuinely mean that, smooth, creamy and full of flavour, it was like eating velvet, I’d return again just for this, incredible.

After such a good start we were more than looking forward to our mains. I had chosen the rump of beef stroganoff, mushroom, paprika cream, rice and chervil, and Debbie the roasted pepper pappardelle, parmesan, watercress with pesto sauce. Considering this was a mid-week lunch time the Falcon was filling up well with other diners and it was no surprise. Whilst we awaited the mains general manager Adam came over to ask how we had found the food and service so far, he was very proud and enthusiastic explaining that they have a policy of only using local produce, local ales, spirits - everything, stating they want to look after their locals and with Shropshire being such a rural foodie place, why would you need to go elsewhere? A fantastic local business ethic! It was great to be surrounded by passionate and happy staff.

Our mains arrived, again looking spectacular. I am a fan of cooking my own beef stroganoff, so it was nice to have it cooked for me for a change, slices of juicy rump steak piled with perfectly cooked field mushrooms in the most delicious creamy sauce and delicate rice. Again, totally faultless and utterly delicious, the combination of flavours was perfect, I forgot to mention we had ordered a side portion of triple cooked chips that were just divine, especially when dipped into my stroganoff sauce.

Debbie's pasta was laced with an array of Mediterranean vegetables, a light cheese, pepper and tomato sauce and a mixture of toasted parmesan and lightly grated goats’ cheese. Such a fresh tasting dish. Again, there was nothing you could fault, both dishes were clearly freshly cooked by a chef that knows what he is doing and what flavours complement each other, plentiful in size and great value for such exquisite dining.

Whilst our dishes were cleared away, I had to ask Adam about the chef, and was told he was Bridgnorth born Richard Lipscombe, and has travelled all over, spending much time down south and in Cornwall learning every aspect of the trade, eventually wanting to return to his home town - Bridgnorth. Richard certainly has picked up many talents along his journey and we are very lucky to have such a talented chef here in the heart of the Midlands.

With a dessert only £3 more it was a must especially as each one sounded magnificent, so Debbie opted for the Falcon brownie, chocolate sauce and vanilla ice-cream and I toyed with the Tonka bean brulee or the warm Bridgnorth apples and blackberry crumble with custard, Adam swayed me towards the crumble and I’m glad he did. This chef needs an award, he is certainly getting one from us here at the Scene magazine, totally stunning desserts. Deb’s brownie was so chocolaty yet light and gooey at the same time and my crumble was perfection, warm soft chunks of deliciously juicy fruit topped with a perfect crumble and creamy fresh custard, wow!

The Falcon Hotel deserves a place at the top for not just its food quality and presentation but for its friendly welcoming staff and managers, its superior decor and also its ethics on supporting local. I would highly recommend a visit to The Falcon, try the lunch set menu to just get a taste of what the evening menu could bring, I’m definitely returning for the Sunday roast too!

Pure luxury and elegance, you really are spoilt at The Falcon!

The Falcon Hotel

St. John's Street

Bridgnorth

WV15 6AG

Tel: 01746 763134

Web: www.falconhotelbridgnorth.co.uk

Facebook: The Falcon Hotel Bridgnorth

Email: hello@falconhotelbridgnorth.co.uk