Review on The Punch Bowl Inn & Restaurant
A dramatic transformation has taken place inside this splendid Lyth Valley pub/restaurant since it was taken over by the team who also run the Drunken Duck Inn at Ambleside. Inside, the slate-floored bar still looks the part, but the restaurant is now full of light and space with polished oak floorboards, sand-blasted beams and pale walls.
Lakeland produced gets a good airing in the kitchen and on the plate: a trio of Esthwaite trout, twice-baked goats' cheese soufflé, toad-in-the-hole with curly kale, and beef and Tag Lag ale stew with thyme dumplings all feature on the blackboard menu.
More complex ideas also surface, but the seasonal themes remain the same: roast wood pigeon might appear with Puy lentils and liquorice jus, monkfish is wrapped in Cumbrian air-dried ham and served with herb tagliatelle and pea purée, while whole roast mallard could be accompanied by spicy plums, Anna potatoes and star anise jus. Fine Lakeland cheeses close the show, along with desserts such as white chocolate pannacotta with gooseberry fool.
Outside is a delightful patio overlooking Crosthwaite church, and the pub has paid homage by naming each of its bedrooms after former vicars. The Punch Bowl also serves as the local post office: just go to reception if you need some stamps or anything else!
Cuisine
Gastro pub / Modern British
Chef
Alex Beard
Restaurant Opening Times
Lunch: 12.00 - 5.30pm (12.00 - 4.00pm Sat & Sun)
Dinner: 6.00 - 8.30pm
Accepted credit cards
Visa, Master Card, American Express