{"id":258,"date":"2018-08-13T12:29:08","date_gmt":"2018-08-13T12:29:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.pridemagazines.co.uk\/rutland\/?p=258"},"modified":"2018-08-13T12:50:11","modified_gmt":"2018-08-13T12:50:11","slug":"dining-out-the-finchs-arms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pridemagazines.co.uk\/rutland-and-stamford\/food-and-drink\/dining-out-the-finchs-arms\/08-2018","title":{"rendered":"Dining Out: The Finch’s Arms"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Pan fried Atlantic cod with Parma ham.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As Pride goes to press, Birdfair will be taking place at the reservoir, but there\u2019s just one species that\u2019s getting us in a flap. We\u2019re spotting the great plated Finch\u2019s Arms, a pub restaurant par excellence that\u2019ll ensure you\u2019re in cloud cuckoo land as you wing your way to Hambleton…<\/h3>\n

Without feather ado, we\u2019ll dispense with the usual bird puns, safe to say that you won\u2019t be led on a wild goose chase if you visit the absolutely excellent Finch\u2019s Arms this month.<\/p>\n

The place is a true feather in the cap of Rutland, offering exceptional views over the reservoir as you enjoy al fresco dining on what is probably the prettiest terrace in the area.<\/p>\n

The Finch\u2019s Arms is Grade II\u2008listed, built in the 17th century and celebrating its 21st\u00a0anniversary this year under the ownership of the Crawford family of \u2018accidental\u00a0publicans…\u2019 allow us to explain that one.<\/p>\n

Colin &\u2008Celia Crawford purchased the Peacock pub in Redmile near Melton back in the late 1980s. They did so to convert it into private accommodation, but fancying themselves as evanescent publicans, the couple though they\u2019d have a giggle and run the place for one last night before its permanent closure. Little did they realise that evening would be a tremendous runaway success and would take them in a rather different direction, accidentally falling in love with hospitality and keeping the place to run as a pub.<\/p>\n

The couple raised their son and daughter Jordan and Charlotte in the place, and\u00a0pioneered gastropub food before the term was ever invented… then used… then abused by every other pub restaurant the length and breadth of the country.<\/p>\n

The second generation of Crawfords are now running the Finch\u2019s, which Colin and Celia – now in semi-retirement – took on after they sold the Peacock and moved to the Hambleton peninsula in 1997. They\u2019re also running the Finch\u2019s sister pub, the\u00a0Hornblower on Oakham\u2019s High Street… and both places are absolutely brilliant.<\/p>\n

The Finch\u2019s Arms is pretty big, but handily, it\u2019s divided up into nice little spaces for a cosier feel. There\u2019s a main restaurant seating about 70 with French windows and views over the reservoir plus a terrace for 40 diners when the weather is agreeable.<\/p>\n

Adjacent to the main dining room is a private dining room for functions too.<\/p>\n

As autumn sets in, the main dining room has a wood burner, but there\u2019s a beautiful wine bar, snug and main bar area in the wobbly old front of the place. Its flagstones, pews, beams and real ale are much more in line with winter dining.<\/p>\n

Happily, you can choose to take the \u00e0 la carte menu either in the smarter restaurant or in the more relaxed bar. This provides a choice of five sharing platters, five starters, seven main courses and six desserts.<\/p>\n

Alternatively, there\u2019s a bar menu with four ciabattas and pub dishes plus a set lunch menu, too, with two or three courses and three options per course for \u00a317.50 or \u00a321.50, and a Sunday Lunch menu with two or three courses for \u00a319.95 and \u00a323.95.<\/p>\n

Ingredients are sourced locally where possible, and during our visit that meant asparagus and strawberries from the Makey family\u2019s Manton farm, and trout from Rutland Water.<\/p>\n

Plenty of effort goes into both the creation and presentation of each dish. Sous chef Max is known in these parts as an accomplished chef and is responsible for baking fresh bread for diners each morning. Naturally sauces, puddings and so on are all made in house, and the brigade of chefs dance around the pass choreographed by Mark Gough, who has been at the Finch\u2019s for nine years.<\/p>\n

A classically trained French chef, he\u2019s a significant part of the reason that the Finch\u2019s enjoys the reputation for excellence and for consistency that it does.<\/p>\n

The wonderfully relaxed pub restaurant co-exists really happily with that other great dining out experience on the peninsular, Hambleton Hall, with the patrons of both typically enjoying a visit to the other.<\/p>\n

During our visit an abundance of sunshine meant that even on a weekday at mid-morning\u00a0 the place was bustling with customers seeking, as we were, quality dining, great service and a really nice atmosphere… a case, perhaps, of birds of a feather flocking together.<\/p>\n

What this does prove, however, is that we\u2019re not alone in finding The Finch\u2019s Arms one of the best quality pub restaurants in the area, especially as mid-summer turns into autumn, when you can enjoy morning coffee, afternoon tea, or the chance to wet your beak under a shady parasol. The Finch\u2019s Arms is, indeed, a great restaurant, perfect for this month and one we\u2019re very happy to crow about.<\/p>\n

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Dessert at The Finch’s Arms.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On the Menu\u2026<\/h3>\n

Sharing Platter<\/h4>\n

Charcuterie of cold meats and balsamic toast \u00a313.95.<\/p>\n

Starters<\/h4>\n

Chicken liver p\u00e2t\u00e9 with onion relish and toast \u00a37.50.<\/p>\n

Tempura king prawns with sweet chilli sauce \u00a39.<\/p>\n

Mail Courses<\/h4>\n

Pan fried Atlantic cod with local wild garlic, crispy Parma ham and Rutland Water asparagus \u00a315.<\/p>\n

Duck breast with Stilton salad and saut\u00e9d potatoes \u00a317.50.<\/p>\n

Chilli beef fillet with baby Brindisa chorizo, feta cheese and chilli pepper jus \u00a318.<\/p>\n

Sirloin Steak, oyster mushrooms, hand cut chips and tomatoes \u00a326.50.<\/p>\n

Desserts<\/h4>\n

Rutland Water strawberry panna cotta with mixed berry compote and crushed meringue \u00a36.50.<\/p>\n

Apple and mixed berry crumble with custard \u00a36.50.<\/p>\n

Salted caramel cr\u00e8me br\u00fbl\u00e8e, amaretti biscuits, vanilla ice cream \u00a36.50.<\/p>\n

NB: Featured dishes are subject to change.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Open For Business\u2026<\/h3>\n

Monday – Saturday:<\/strong> 12noon – 2.30pm; 6.30pm – 9.30pm<\/p>\n

Sunday:<\/strong> 12noon – 8.00pm.<\/p>\n

The Finch\u2019s Arms is based on Oakham Road, Hambleton, Rutland, LE15 8TL. Call 01572 756 575 or see www.finchsarms.co.uk.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

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The Finch’s Arms overlooks Rutland Water.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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