The Blue Anchor Pub & Restaurant
Dorking Rd, Tadworth KT20 5SL
If you are looking for a cosy pub, with good food and a very warm welcome, then I can recommend a visit to the Blue Anchor.
Set just off the A217, this well-established venue has gone through a number of transformations, before arriving at its current look which combines a stylish yet traditional décor. The venue prides itself on its relaxed atmosphere and is popular with people wishing to sample its range of wines and real ales, as well as families looking to celebrate a special occasion.
There is a comprehensive menu, although we were met with quite a list of dishes that weren’t available. No matter; there was still a significant choice on offer. For starters, I opted for the Japanese cuisine inspired Crispy Karaage Chicken which was served with cucumber ribbons, mooli, kale & cauliflower couscous salad and warm katsu sauce, while my fellow diner plumped for Salt and Szechuan Pepper Squid with aioli. Not your typical pub fayre starters, but both were delicious and beautifully served. The katsu sauce was spot on, with just enough heat to complement the flavours of the vegetables and crispy-coated chicken. The squid too was cooked to perfection and the accompanying aioli perfectly balanced.
For the main course, the options are more mainstream, but if done well, there is nothing at all wrong with that. Once again, there is a good selection available including butternut squash tart, battered Halloumi and pork belly, as well as a standalone pizza/salad and burger/steak offer.
My fellow diner went for the Beer Battered, Line-Caught Cod, while I decided upon Chicken, Leek and Crème Fraiche Pie. Topped with a ham hock crumb and served with kale mashed potato and buttered green beans, it was a generous helping that did not disappoint. The pastry was sturdy enough to contain the hearty filling, yet light enough to digest (something that many pub pies fail to do producing pastry that could withstand a nuclear blast). And although the mash was a little cloying, it was nice and hot and the addition of the delicate kale flavouring worked well.
The fish and chips too were met with approval: a substantial piece of cod edging the dinner plate was accompanied by some well fried, sturdy chips. The batter was crisp and light, while the cod flaked beautifully.
On to dessert, and alas our first choice of Sticky Toffee Pudding had sold out, however, with another 12 to choose from (including a well-priced cheese board), I opted for the New York Style Baked Vanilla Cheesecake, while my companion chose the Apple and Blackberry Crumble. And I am pleased to report that both were delicious. New York cheesecake can sometimes be bland, but here it managed to balance the creamy texture with a slightly tangy bite and the forest fruit compote that came with, matched perfectly. You can’t go wrong with a crumble, and the mix of the sweet apple with a more tart blackberry is a tried and trusted combination that didn’t disappoint, so I’m told.
As non-driver, I had opted for a glass (or two) of Tokomaru Bay Sauvignon blanc, which boasts a range of soft and fruity aromas that complemented my dishes. The whole meal was finished with coffee. In terms of price, the average cost of a three-course dinner for two with wine comes in at around £70, which may feel a little expensive for pub fare. However, the food was good, the drinks menu extensive and the service attentive, would I go there again? Definitely!
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