The Pyewipe, Lincoln

Jane Marsh has found a new favourite destination after she paid her first visit to The Pyewipe, Lincoln.
My father deserved a treat so he was the natural choice to invite along on my first dining out mission. I knew that The Pyewipe was close to Lincoln but had not appreciated how easily accessible it was, just off the bypass, yet set in a rural, riverside location with plenty of free parking. Colleagues gave me the background that Bob and Sara Pickles have owned this business, on and off, for more than twenty years; an impressive track record in the hospitality sector and their business offers bar and restaurant dining, alfresco drinking and meals, a venue for weddings and special occasions, as well as accommodation.

We visited early on a Thursday evening. Six o’clock may be too early for most but by the time we left a couple of hours later the smaller dining room in which we ate was nearly full. The friendly staff, warm, cosy atmosphere and relaxing background music had been most welcoming so we sat back to look at the menus. The choices are listed on a large blackboard in the main bar – and there were plenty of them.

My father began with creamy garlic mushrooms nestled on toast while I chose deep fried Brie with an orange and cranberry chutney. Dad thought his starter the nicest of its kind he had ever eaten, while I loved the light batter to the Brie with the tang of the chutney cutting through the intense creaminess perfectly. Other equally tempting starters from nine on the board included chicken liver pâté with onion marmalade; smoked mackerel with beetroot salad and horseradish cream and butterfly prawns with garlic mayonnaise. We had made a good start.

Our main courses were chicken breast stuffed with Stilton, wrapped in Parma ham, with a bacon and chive mash and Stilton sauce for Dad and duck breast with wilted greens, Dauphinoise potatoes and plum sauce for me. These were complex, flavoursome dishes which, although rich, were not overpowered by the Stilton or plum sauce. My father was particularly taken with the bacon and chive mash which I will struggle to replicate for him at home. The meat elements were beautifully cooked, so we both thoroughly enjoyed this course too. We had both chosen hearty dishes but there was a wide choice from homemade burgers and steaks to four vegetarian options and less complex options such as gammon steak or beer battered haddock and chips. Hard to believe there would not be something to suit all tastes.

Our choices had been substantial helpings so we did take a breather before sampling the puddings. We finished with sticky toffee pudding served with vanilla ice cream for Dad and sticky toffee and pear trifle for me. Other options were fruit Pavlova, chocolate brownie, baked white chocolate cheesecake or lemon roulade.

Our visit was a thoroughly enjoyable experience and a great find for us both – we will certainly be returning. I thought the meal and service was spot on and excellent value for money. The large dining room has recently been refurnished and looked very inviting, so who knows, next time we might dine in there and enjoy a view of the Fossdyke in summer. We shall certainly be back.

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