H.O. Ward is our occasional columnist. Read more pub reviews by H.O. Ward.
The Lord of the Manor's Pub
Lurgashall, Northwest of Petworth, is a village of less than 500 with Roman roots and a Saxon name. Situated in the Wealden forest, off the A272, it has a Village Green, a winery and a triangular cricket pitch.In 1557, a village inn was built at the side of the Green, probably with funds provided by the Manor. At first it had no name, since it was not necessary to distinguish it from any other, but ever since records began, in about 1700, it has been known as The Noah's Ark. Its unusual name might arise from a pond that was once outside the door. Apparently, patrons had to cross to refresh themselves, giving the impression of animals crossing into the Ark before the deluge. There is certainly a pond just to the right of the Inn.
The Noah's Ark
This pub is noted for its good food and I have no complaints in that department, but because of a combination of bad luck (we got stuck in Bank Holiday weekend traffic and were 35 minutes late for our booking) and period of adjustment pains (the landlord had only recently taken over) we got off to a rocky start.We waited more than 55 minutes for our meal and had the irritating experience of watching others who had arrived after us tucking in to their meals before us. In fact, I heard a number of patrons express their appreciation for the food while we were waiting - which made us even hungrier.
My guests enjoyed the meal despite the circumstances. As we left, our host apologized, explaining he had not anticipated such a busy day. Maybe he could have apologized with a reduction or a free sweet. Nevertheless, I am willing to have another go, if only to see if the service improves on a more normal day.
To Drink:
The bar stocks Abbott Ale, IPA, Guest Ale, Guinness as well as Stella, Budvar, Carling, Scrumpy Jack Cider and various bottled lagers, ciders and ales. For wine drinkers there are four White, one Rose (also sold by the bottle) and three Red house wines, sold by the glass. Four whites, seven reds, one sparkling wine and two champagnes are sold by the bottle.To Eat:
For lunch there are sandwiches with five fillings - bacon, salmon, ham, cheddar and steak, or a ploughman’s with either sausage or cheese. There are also ten main dishes, ranging from the simple - scrambled egg or smoked salmon on toast - to the more hearty - small (8 oz) sirloin steaks with field mushrooms, grilled tomato and salad.The dinner menu has six starters including cheese, fish and vegetarian dishes. The nine main courses include a mixture of traditional and modern dishes. However, depending on the local fishmonger or butcher three to six specials may be available. Everything is made to order with no microwave heating or prepared meals.
The Cost:
Lunch costs from £5.95 to about £13.50 for a steak. At dinner, starters range from £5.50 for chicken liver pate with toast and salad to £6.95 for crabcake with Pommery mustard sauce on a bed of rocket. Mains start at £9.50 for bangers and mash and go up to £17.50 for fillet steak with all the trimmings.Beer costs from £2.40 to £3 a pint. House wines by the glass start at £3.25 for a 175ml glass up to £5 for the most expensive in a 250ml glass. Bottles cost between £12.95 and £34.95 and the two champagnes cost £29 pr £42 per bottle.
The Bottom Line:
Two of us had chicken pie, vegetables and mash. My other guest had the Northchapel Bangers. The meal, for three of us, came to £46. Booking is advisable. (Telephone 01428 707346). Service was clearly less than acceptable but the circumstances were unusual. I would say that the quality of the food merits giving this pub another chance.
Also in Lurgashall
While in Lurgashall, we visited the renowned Lurgashall Winery, which is a cock's stride from the pub. The winery specializes in English country wines, liqueurs and mead. The winery is set in a complex of 17th and 18th century farm buildings. Lurgashall Mead has been named one of the 50 Best British foods in a national British newspaper and was termed "The Dom Pérignon of the genre" by the New York Times.The winery's products range in price from £5.95 to £12.70 and include apple, blackberry, elderberry, elderflower, gooseberry, Old Tom's Tipple, plum, rhubarb, rose petal, silver birch and and English table wine. The meads include special Christmas mead, English mead, spiced, dry, reserve and whiskey meads. There are also redcurrent, bramble, walnut, blackcurrant, blackcherry, elderberry, ginger, raspberry, sloe and strawberry liqueurs.
They have a nice pratice whereby you can sample several of their products with a view to buy. Their Mead cake is anti diet and figure but boy is it good. We spent a happy hour and, as I write this, I've just had a small glass of Mead.
