The White Horse, Brigg

Caroline Bingham visited The White Horse, Brigg
Location is all important for any business and the White Horse is located close to the centre of Brigg, occupying a high profile corner of Wrawby Street. There is parking on the street in front but there is plenty more at the rear of the building itself. The White Horse is both a drinkers’ and a diners’ inn and you can make your choice to turn left or right as you enter the front door. As diners we turned left and walked into the beamed and airy rooms where food is served.

Ian Clark, the landlord, greeted us and we had a drink at our table while looking through the menu. Chef’s Specials are on a blackboard and Ian explained that established favourites are often then transferred onto the main menu when it is updated.

Brigg is a close-knit community of businesses that support each other as much as possible and there is plenty of evidence on the menu of locally sourced produce. Meat and vegetables don’t have to travel far to reach the kitchen and tables at the White Horse.

We shared a starter of Bacon and Cheese Loaded Potato Skins with a barbeque dip. Piping hot and comfortingly tasty, they made a very enjoyable start to our meal. I stuck with a fish choice for main course (one of the Chef Recommends options from the menu) of Roasted Salmon with Pesto and Prawns served with salad and new potatoes while my companion chose Breaded Chicken Dippers with Handcut Chips and a choice of dips. Don’t imagine the preformed dippers touted by fast food restaurants. These were prime chicken fillet strips, coated with fresh breadcrumb, while the chips were the best I have tasted in a long time. (Note: I had to try them for myself!) Locally grown Maris Pipers were sweet and fluffy centred after being double fried.

My salmon was extremely tasty with the fresh tang of the sea in the prawns complemented by the zing of the pesto.

The dining room had a buzz of conversation from other tables and we took a few moments to sit back and admire the framed old street scenes of Brigg which are hung on the walls. I also had a read through the wine menu. Although we hadn’t drunk wine there seemed to be a small but well chosen selection of predominantly New World wines starting from £13 for a bottle of house red or white. I also noticed guest beers such as London Pride and Black Sheep.

We decided to share a dessert too. The portions had been generous but choosing just one was not easy. Finally, we decided on the award winning White Horse Chocolate Pudding with cream. This was a seriously good pudding and after we had cleaned the plate Sarah Clark, Ian’s wife, who is responsible for making all the desserts the pub serves came to talk to us and told us how she had almost accidentally discovered the secret of not only its rich but not too sweet taste but also its consistency. Every time they have put a slightly different chocolate pudding on the menu, this version has returned by popular demand and I can understand why.

There are plenty of choices on the menu, from a light lunch of baguettes and sandwiches to some great fresh fish dish options including Old Smokie, smoked haddock (topped with spinach, applewood Cheddar cheese and baked) and steaks served with classic sauces.

The White Horse also serves a plated Sunday lunch for a fixed price of £6.50 and can seat parties of up to sixteen. The menu is changed about every six months and a special Christmas menu is available throughout December.

Ian and Sarah’s long experience in the hospitality industry has revitalised the White Horse to be an integral part of the dining offer in Brigg and the chocolate pudding alone warrants a visit.

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