{"id":1517,"date":"2024-04-12T09:01:10","date_gmt":"2024-04-12T09:01:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pridemagazines.co.uk\/lincolnshire\/?p=1517"},"modified":"2024-04-12T09:01:51","modified_gmt":"2024-04-12T09:01:51","slug":"dining-out-at-the-queens-head","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pridemagazines.co.uk\/lincolnshire\/food-and-drink\/dining-out-at-the-queens-head\/04-2024","title":{"rendered":"Dining Out at The Queen’s Head"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What better way to celebrate your third anniversary than with a visit from the AA to award your restaurant its first rosette!  The Queen\u2019s Head country dining restaurant, at Kirkby la Thorpe near Sleaford, has been under the ownership of Francis & Erin Taylor since June 2021 with Head Chef Barry Liversidge in the kitchen since its opening… and we reckon that its latest accolade is very well-deserved!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\ufeffWhilst out walking in Scotland, a tourist once passed the late Queen Elizabeth II and remarked \u2018you look just like The Queen,\u2019 to which the monarch, who was renowned for her wit and sense of humour replied \u2018how reassuring.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking of familiar monarchs, next month represents three years since Francis & Erin Taylor and their Head Chef Barry Liversidge took over The Queen\u2019s Head, in the village of Kirkby la Thorpe just a stone\u2019s throw from Sleaford.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since then the building itself, its interiors, menus and Barry\u2019s dishes themselves may have given the place a totally new identity, but the familiar values of quality dining, an appreciation for seasonality and local suppliers, plus an understanding of what local diners enjoy all remain very much in evidence. As The Queen said, that sense of familiarity is reassuring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Francis and Erin Taylor purchased the place in June 2021, they embarked on a full refurbishment, reopening it with a fresh new look and a more contemporary silver colour scheme. Head Chef Barry Liversidge has been in post ever since the place reopened and has very consciously noted his diners\u2019 preferences over the time, gradually evolving his menus to \u2018give the public what they want.\u2019 And what they want, Barry says, is a country dining restaurant with well-executed dishes, confident flavours, provenance and consistency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The AA\u2008concurs, too, for just after our visit The Queen\u2019s Head was visited by the group, and presented with their first rosette. The accolade denotes a restaurant that \u2018achieve standards that stand out in their local area, and \u2018serves food prepared with care, understanding and skill, using good quality ingredients.\u2019 We\u2019re happy to underwrite that assessment, and Barry is proud, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019re weren\u2019t chasing an award, but it is very flattering \u2013 we don\u2019t aspire to a Michelin star and we reject terms like gastropub,\u201d says Barry. \u201cOur real measure of success is happy diners, and for us that\u2019s achieved with authentic food prepared with skill, well-presented and fairly priced.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Queen\u2019s Head comprises of a 40-seater restaurant with white table linen, low ceilings and a comfortable, intimate feel, perfect for evening dining. There\u2019s a conservatory too and a covered outdoor terrace which is ideal for those seeking fresh air dining in summer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In terms of menus, there\u2019s a single, simple, daytime menu with five starters, five main courses and four desserts, optimised for prompt service with lighter dishes and a choice of two or three courses for \u00a324.95 and \u00a329.95 respectively. A\u2008dinner menu during evening service provides \u00e0 la carte dining and adds a couple of extra dishes per course. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are several specials on offer each day too, supplier-led and dictated by ingredients that Barry sees are especially good that day and offer scope for creativity. Two chefs work alongside General Manager Kevin Bligh who provides friendly, attentive and well-organised front of house service. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Barry and the team create their own speciality bread in-house but also work with family-run Bloomsbury Bread in Grantham, and source produce like traceable, free range pedigree and rare-breed meat from Helpringham\u2019s Corner Farm, eggs from Ruskington\u2019s Priory Free Range Foods, and rapeseed oil from Hogsthorpe\u2019s R G Taylor on the  East Coast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Barry, though favouring local suppliers, isn\u2019t shy about venturing further afield for the best suppliers either. Nottinghamshire\u2019s Gelston Lamb and Price & Fretwell of Derbyshire provide butchery, whilst ice creams and sorbets are from Retford\u2019s Thaymar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other points to note include the provision of discounted dining for senior citizens during both lunchtime and evening service on Mondays and Tuesdays \u2013 happily, the place is open seven days a week \u2013 whilst a quiz night on a Tuesday evening is helping to ensure The Queen\u2019s Head remains a favourite with villagers whilst also proving popular with diners from Lincoln, Boston, Newark, Horncastle, Woodhall Spa and of course Sleaford\u2019s outlying villages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One intriguing idea that\u2019s set to return (on an as yet unconfirmed date) is the restaurant\u2019s Dining in the Dark evenings. These are best described as mindful dining experiences with really subdued lighting encouraging diners to enjoy a tasting menu where the experience of different flavours is enhanced by dining, not quite blindfolded, but certainly without testing the adage that \u2018one eats with his eyes first.\u2019  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking further ahead, The Queen\u2019s Head team also has future plans for the restaurant. They\u2019re still very much under wraps at the moment, but should prove to further enhance the opportunity to dine at one of Lincolnshire\u2019s most established country dining rooms later in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For now, though, summer dining is a compelling prospect thanks to Barry and the team\u2019s efforts to ensure The Queen\u2019s Head remains absolutely at the top of its game. A\u2008great recommendation for summer dining!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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On The Menu: The Queen\u2019s Head, Kirkby la Thorpe<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starters<\/strong>
Ham hock terrine, Granny Smith and caper jam, crispy pork \u00a38.50.
Marinated heritage tomatoes, whipped goats\u2019 cheese, crouton, tomato water, basil \u00a38.95.
Confit chicken and spring onion terrine, mushroom ketchup, and sourdough \u00a38.50.
Cream of watercress soup, poached egg, bakery bread \u00a37.50.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Main Courses<\/strong>
Pan-roasted chicken breast, Piccolo parsnip, black cabbage, Parmesan croquette, wild mushroom butter sauce, \u00a318.50.
Pan-fried pollock, buttered leeks, spring onion, new potatoes and smoked mussel butter sauce \u00a318.95.
Corner Farm of Helpringham pork chop, butterbean mash, roasted apple, black cabbage, cider sauce \u00a322.50.
Pan roasted chicken breast, dauphinoise potato, charred corn, pak choi, spring onion, wild mushroom butter sauce \u00a318.75.
Lincolnshire pan-roasted trout, garden pea, spinach, baby onion, herbs, baked potato sauce \u00a318.95.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Desserts<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dark chocolate cremeux, and ginger shortbread with caramelised banana \u00a37.50.
Sticky toffee pudding, butterscotch sauce, vanilla ice cream, \u00a37.95.
72% chocolate brownie, raspberry compote, raspberry sorbet \u00a37.95
Warm treacle tart, clotted cream, pear, caramel \u00a37.95
Lincolnshire Poacher, Colston Basset, Red Fox, Baron Bigod, Dazel Ash celery, grape chutney, Lincolnshire plum bread, water crackers \u00a39.50\/three \u00a312.95\/five.
NB: This is a sample menu, and featured dishes are subject to availability and change.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Queen\u2019s Head, Kirkby la Thorpe, near Sleaford<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Pitch:\u2008<\/strong>The Queen\u2019s Head enjoys a long-standing reputation as a top Lincolnshire dining room and remains synonymous with great dining under chef Barry Liversidge.
Lunchtime:<\/strong> 12:00 – 14:15, Mon-Sat. Evening Service:\u200817:30 – 19:45 Mon-Sat. Sunday lunch service from 12:00 – 15:45.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Queens Head, Church Lane, Kirkby La Thorpe, NG34 9NU Call 01529 300750 or see www.thequeensheadpub.com.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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