A chance lunch stop-off turns into a lucky find for Claire Pitcher when she stumbles across the Crown Inn in Everton
- Restaurant review
Old Christchurch road, Everton, Lymington SO41 0JJ
Pigeon and duck. Obviously my guest for lunch and I were feeling in the mood for something rich and gamey to eat on what was far from a summer's day in the New Forest. We had spotted The Crown Inn while driving from Barton-on-Sea on our way to Lymington. It's in the village Everton, just off the A337, and it was a real find.Flitting between the showers we dashed through the pretty, secluded garden in to the relaxing bar and restaurant area.
My guest and I were feeling in the mood for something rich and gamey...
Traditional versus modernThe lunch menu has plenty of delicious sounding traditional choices; such as beer battered haddock (�9.25) and ploughmans (�6.95). Our attention was also drawn to the specials blackboard, which oddly had some verylavish- sounding dishes on it - a far cry from the 'traditional pub favourites', and only a little more expensive.I settled on crispy confit of duck leg with an orange salad and a Hoi Sin sauce (�7.95) from the lunchtime menu, and my guest chose (from the specials board) the pigeon breast, Bok Choi, creamy mash and red wine and star anise sauce (�13.95).Pigeon is tricky to get right. I've tried it a couple of times before and it's always been tough because it's so easy to over cook. This pigeon breast, I am told, was cooked perfectly. The only thing missing from the dish apparently was more seasoning in the creamy mash - but that's really personal preference.
Pidgeon is tricky to get right. This pidgeon breast, I am told, was cooked perfectly...
My duck was also lovely and tender and Hoi Sin sauce has always been the best accompaniment to duck, in my opinion. The orange salad was light and complimented the duck nicely. The only problem was I had too much salad left after I had finished the crispy leg!
Plentiful servingsNot normally one for dessert at lunchtime, I couldn't help but submit when I saw the list of homemade puds on offer (all �5.50). The portions were very generous - so much so I couldn't finish my chocolate brownie with chocolate sauce and vanilla ice cream, but my guest polished off his cherry bakewell with ease - that's testament to a good dessert.Finishing with coffee we suddenly realised we'd had an 'extended lunch hour'. So, three hours after we had arrived, we dashed from the pub, bellies full, and ready to tackle what was left of the day.
Book a tableThe Crown InnOld Christchurch RoadEverton, Lymington SO41 0JJTel. 01590 6426553 other New Forest pubs serving foodThe Royal Oak, Fritham tel. 02380 80812606This little thatched pub is one the oldest in the New Forest and like The Crown Inn sources all their produce locally. It also won this year's County Pub of the Year in The Good Pub Guide.
The Fish Inn, Ringwood tel. 01425 473185Just off the A31 this pub has a lovely riverside garden and has chalkboard specials to cater for anyone who loves delicious, locally sourced dishes.The Trusty Servant, Minstead tel. 02380 80812137The emphasis is on modern English cooking at this quaint pub in Minstead. Everything is local, from home bred cattle to herbs straight from their garden.
