Latest Restaurant Review (The Coach House – Norbury)
The Coach House Norbury is located in the picturesque countryside close to the small town of Bishops Castle in the South Shropshire Hills, about 45 minutes’ drive from Telford.
The 18th-century country inn is full of rustic charm and character with log-burning fires and traditional beamed ceilings.
The restaurant is impeccably furnished with dark wooden tables and chairs in the dining areas and if you want to enjoy a drink before or after your meal there’s a lounge area with comfy leather sofas and armchairs to stop and relax a while.
On arrival we were greeted by the Manager Ben Wiseman and were shown through to our table in the restaurant. After browsing the extensive wine list we both chose a glass of Sauvignon, there is plenty of choice with 12 wines available by the glass, a carafe or the bottle.
While we looked through the menus we were brought an appetiser of Humous with Parsnip Crisps. We were also served delicious homemade sourdough bread with salted butter. The menus are simple, offering a choice of 3 starters, 3 mains and 3 desserts which made selecting our choices nice and easy.
Whilst waiting for our starters we were served an amuse bouche, which was Bishop Castle beetroot with truffle oil, beetroot ketchup and Hay on Wye cheese. The cheese had a lovely strong flavour and was delicious with the delicate cubes of beetroot.
For starter Nik chose the Guinea Fowl (£8) and I ordered the Jerusalem Artichoke – velouté, toasted hazelnut and crispy sage (£7).
Nik said, ‘The pressed cylinder of white guinea fowl meat was light and fresh with a hint of gaminess. The mushrooms three ways were a nice touch, with super delicate carpaccio of field mushroom, a pan-fried cep and a light mild mushroom puree. The blackberries added a nice sharpness to the dish.”
After my dish was served the waitress then poured over the warm velouté. The soft pieces of artichoke, crunchy hazelnuts and crispy sage gave a great mix of flavours and textures and with the light creamy velouté sauce this dish was absolutely amazing!
For mains Nik decided on the Grouse – roasted on the crown, confit leg, beetroot, chard, plum compote and game sauce (£21). I selected the Halibut – pomme purée, roasted king oyster mushrooms, baby onions with white, caper and chive sauce (£19).
The halibut was bright white and meaty, and pan fried to a lovely golden sear, served with a pomme purée which was silky smooth and creamy, the chopped oyster mushrooms and delicate pearl baby onions added extra depth of flavours. The sauce was wonderfully tasty complimenting all the flavours in the dish.
Nik’s Grouse was roasted to perfection retaining a slight pinkness to the crown meat which was very tender with a gamey tang, the confit legs had more of a pronounced kick to the flavour which was wonderful with the sweet plum compote. The dish was completed with beetroot and chard and a light game sauce.
For dessert Nik chose the Damson Posset with crunchy oats and toasted hazelnuts (£7). I was tempted by a favourite of mine, Ginger Bread – a black treacle ginger bread with slow cooked ginger ice cream (£7).
My soft warm treacle ginger bread was divine, it was drizzled in a luxurious warm butterscotch sauce and the creamy homemade ginger ice cream soon started to melt – a really great dessert which I thoroughly enjoyed.
Nik’s Damson Posset was incredibly light and fluffy and had a perfect balance of sweet sharpness. The toasted oats, hazelnuts gave a lovely satisfying crunch against the super light posset and the blackberry segments delivered the final hint of sharpness.
We ordered a pot of Hundred House coffee and petit fours to finish our meal. We had a chunk each of creamy white chocolate fudge and a small scoop of cinnamon ice cream, a great end to such a splendid meal.
Chef Harry Bullock is Shropshire born and bred and likes to make the most of the amazing local suppliers that we have available in Shropshire, using seasonal ingredients and local artisanal producers. Harry is an exceptionally talented chef and previously worked in a Michelin star restaurant in Ludlow.
The Coach House holds both the Visit England and the AA Breakfast Award, as well as a GOLD award from the AA for Restaurant with Rooms. They are extremely proud to also hold 2 AA Rosettes for Culinary Excellence.
If you would like to stay over there are 7 rooms available which start from £89 and includes a sumptuous Shropshire breakfast for two. Pets are welcome in the bar and some rooms are pet friendly too, so feel free to bring your dog along with you.
Taster Nights have become very popular and the next one will be held on the 12th October at a pop-up night at No.11, Fish Street in Shrewsbury. There will be a 7 course taster menu which is £60pp. At the restaurant there is also a game taster evening planned on the 15th November and a taster evening on the 15th December – please call or email The Coach House for more details or to book.
We were blown away by the quality of the food and will be sure to return again, we would love to make a night of it next time by staying over in one of their elegant rooms.
Reviewed by Fleur & Nik Abel
