The New Inn, Folkingham

The New Inn is tucked away in the village of Folkingham, south of Sleaford. Run by Brian and his partner Kate, it offers a cosy and relaxed atmosphere in a building full of old-world charm.
The couple are second-time owners of the restaurant. After selling it six years ago, they were disappointed to see that it was not being run effectively and was likely to close, and so last year decided to take up the reins again.

The original building has an old world charm, with low ceilings and plenty of beams. The new extension has a beautiful pitched roof and is decorated in warm colours, with pretty light fittings.

Brian greeted us and offered us drinks before showing us to the restaurant and kitchen. The bar has a range of real ales, which change on a regular basis as well as lagers, wines and soft drinks. Although we were the first in, all the tables had `reserved´ signs which are always good to see.

Our waitress offered us the evening menu, which included vegetarian and gluten-free options.

For our starters, I chose the classic prawn cocktail with bread and butter whilst my companion Angelo opted for the soup of the day, summer minestrone. The soup, which was full of vegetables, was piping hot and served with crusty bread. My prawn cocktail was served on a bed of crisp, shaved lettuce with slices of bread and butter. Other options included an apple, walnut and Stilton salad; melon with stem ginger; homemade pâté and creamy garlic mushrooms.

For our main courses we had plenty to choose from. Angelo was taken with the pies, of which there was a large selection including steak & ale, fish, country chicken, shepherd’s and cottage varieties. After much deliberation he opted for the country chicken with chips and peas. I chose the gammon which was served with pineapple, eggs, chips and peas. The pie came with a separate pastry lid, was full of chicken and vegetables and served with a large jug of gravy.

The menu has plenty of classics including Boston sausage and mash, rib-eye steak and salmon. The vegetarian and gluten-free menu offered options such as vegetable and pasta bake, vegetarian sausages and omelettes plus many more. Thursday is a popular evening, when the pub only serves fish and chips, attracting people from all over the county.

We were full after our mains so we decided to wait a while before ordering any desserts, which are all homemade. One of my favourite pastimes is watching the world go by and it was interesting to hear what other tables had to say about their meals.

Before visiting, I was surprised to find there was no website, only a Facebook page. I always enjoy looking at the menu beforehand to see what delights are on offer. The reviews from Facebook and TripAdvisor, however, are all very positive.

For my dessert, I opted for the apple pie with custard whilst Angelo chose the chocolate and orange cheesecake. The base of the cheesecake was simply stunning and the light and airy chocolate and orange topping was extremely tasty.

By the time we left, many patrons were duly propping up the bar and the pool table was a hive of excitement. In one year Brian and Kate have clearly worked very hard to bring the pub back to life and make it a focal point for the village.

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